Majo Stables

Who are Mathilda and Jonathan Hansson?

Mathilda Hansson, born in 2009, lives on a horse farm in Skåne and has been competing in show jumping since she was eight years old. Her passion for horses started early and has taken her far – winning gold at the Swedish Championships on B, C, D ponies, children and as a junior. She has also competed in the European Championships in both ponies and children categories, with one of the highlights being a team silver at the 2023 Pony European Championships.

Her younger brother, Jonathan, born in 2011, didn’t start riding as early, but once he got into the sport, he quickly achieved success. Jonathan has won gold at the Swedish Championships on B and C ponies, as well as in the children’s class. He has also represented Sweden at the European Championships.

How did your interest in equestrian sports begin?

Mathilda began riding at her grandmother’s place when she was little and quickly developed a strong interest in the sport. After much pleading, she got her first pony, and her love for the sport only grew from there.

Jonathan admits he wasn’t as interested in riding at first.
“Since the whole family was involved with horses, I rode every day after school. At first, I was scared, but after I won my first class, I got hooked on the sport,” says Jonathan.

What are your most memorable career moments so far?

Mathilda’s biggest memory so far is the team silver at the 2023 Pony European Championships in France. “It was an amazing feeling to win a team medal, and the experience was incredible,” she shares. She also highlights her time with her C pony Milton, where they won at Friends Arena two years in a row. “Milton is truly a ‘once in a lifetime’ pony.”

Jonathan highlights his Swedish Championship victory in the Children’s class with the horse Staralme Esc Z, owned by Janelle Larsson. “The time with Staralme was magical. He gave me so much confidence,” says Jonathan. He also fondly remembers his Swedish Championship gold on the C pony Milton, which he inherited from his sister. “Milton is just amazing,” he adds.

What does a typical training week look like?

The siblings mention that they usually have Mondays off from riding, which they dedicate to schoolwork. On other days, they each ride between two and four horses, while training days with Pether Markne can involve up to five horses each. These days can mean late nights with less time for homework.

Pether Markne is a Swedish trainer and rider who has represented Sweden internationally and has been chef d’Equipe for both the jumping and dressage teams. He has worked with riders up to Olympic level.

Both emphasize the importance of education and that good planning is essential to balance everything.

The importance of a good coach

Mathilda and Jonathan both train with Pether Markne and describe him as a huge inspiration, both professionally and personally. “Pether has an incredible ability to see what each horse needs to develop and in what order to build them up,” says Mathilda.

Jonathan adds, “He also helps us develop mentally, which is a crucial part of a sport like riding. We can always talk to him about anything.”

What are your long-term goals?

Mathilda aims to qualify for the Junior European Championships and to continue competing in 1.45/1.50 classes next year. She also wants to keep developing the young horses they have at the stable. In the long term, she dreams of competing in senior national team championships with a self-produced horse.

Jonathan aims for the Children’s European Championships next year and to establish himself internationally on ponies. In the long term, he dreams of competing in major championships like the World Championships and the Olympics.

Which equestrian role models inspire you?

Mathilda is inspired by Peder Fredricson and Swiss rider Steve Guerdat, two riders she looks up to for their skill and mentality in competition.

Jonathan also looks up to Peder Fredricson but is also inspired by Belgian top rider Thomas Gilles.

What do you like to do in your free time?

When not at the stable, Mathilda enjoys spending time with family and friends, while Jonathan likes to cycle with friends and play VR games when he has time.

The impact of being siblings in the sport

Being siblings and competing together gives both Mathilda and Jonathan a lot of strength. “We are very close and share both successes and setbacks,” they explain. Having different strengths and weaknesses helps them learn from each other.

Why did you choose to partner with Bhoof?

Mathilda and Jonathan are very proud to partner with Bhoof and appreciate that the products are developed by Peder Fredricson. They say his extensive experience is clearly reflected in the products. “We love that there is a genuine thought behind all the products. They’re not only stylish but also functional and comfortable for both us and the horse,” says Mathilda.

Jonathan agrees and adds, “The leather is incredibly soft, and the reins provide fantastic grip. It feels safe to use such high-quality equipment.”

Favorite products from Bhoof

Mathilda’s favorite Bhoof products are the Martingale 1 for the horse and the Bhoof Safety Vest 1 for the rider. Jonathan loves the Bhoof Bridles and Bhoof Safety Rein 1 but also the Bhoof Helmet 2 and Bhoof Slim Eyewear 1.1, which offer both style and safety.

At Bhoof, we look forward to a long-term and exciting partnership with Mathilda and Jonathan, supporting them in their future endeavors. It feels both inspiring and rewarding to contribute equipment to such a structured team of motivated and talented riders. We are excited to follow their continued progress in the sport and wish them the best of luck.