Back on the accident site – now as an Olympic rider again

Here stands Peder Fredricson at Stockholm Stadium, holding the ticket to his fifth Olympic Games in his hands. Roll back the tape a year, to the same place. Then, his career, life, and future hung by a thread.

» Updated: August 22 2024

» Published: June 29 2024

Back on the accident site – now as an Olympic rider again
Photo: Oscar Olsson/TT

Here is Peder Fredricson at Stockholm Stadium, holding his ticket to his fifth Olympic Games in his hands.

Roll back the tape a year, to the same place.

Then, his career, life, and future hung by a thread.

During the warm-up on the young horse Que Sera, Fredricson was thrown out of the saddle, landed on his neck in the fiber sand, and was taken to Karolinska Hospital by ambulance. For a few hours, family, relatives, friends, and hundreds of thousands of equestrian enthusiasts held their breath.

Fredricson was lucky in his misfortune. The X-ray showed no fractures, but his muscles and tendons had taken a severe beating.

Fredricson was so battered that it took six weeks before he competed again. Too late to compete for a spot on the team that won the European Championship gold in Milan in early September.

No After-Effects of the Fall

Shortly after being presented as one of four riders on team captain Henrik Ankarcrona's Olympic team, Fredricson is doing interviews non-stop. One year is both a short and a long time.

Today, he is not suffering from any after-effects of the nasty accident, neither physical nor psychological.

I'm feeling completely fine now, but it took some time to get back.

Did you learn anything from the nasty accident?

I definitely did. You have to hope so. I also learned things during rehab. It was a process to get started after wearing a neck brace. I've learned things about rehab and training that I wish I had learned earlier. Sometimes you need tough things to happen to learn new things and develop. I've learned a lot about myself and my body, about my own physical training, says Fredricson, 52.

And adds:

In that sense, the bad has something good to it.

"You Shouldn't Give Up"

The upcoming trip to Versailles was long uncertain. In February last year, All In, the horse he had won medals with at the Olympic Games, World Championship, and European Championship, was retired. Then came the fall at the Stadium.

And back at the stable, Catch Me Not wasn't getting any younger. Outwardly, Fredricson was low-key about the Olympics, while he matched the now 18-year-old gelding. Initially, in the World Cup. Gradually, the successes came.

You shouldn't give up. It's easy to say that "I don't have the money, so it's not possible". Or that the horse is too old. It's very easy to say that it's not possible.

Age is just a number, actually. The horse is motivated. But you have to have respect for age. That's why I was cautious about saying anything last winter. The horse has to feel fresh and motivated, and you can't do that too long beforehand. He's given me the answers I wanted. He's continuing to develop and is in good form, says Fredricson.

Team captain Henrik Ankarcrona on why he wants Fredricson on the Olympic team:

For his ability to lift himself time and time again when it matters most. It's an ability that can't be overlooked.

Malin Baryard Johnsson

Born: April 10, 1975.

Lives: Norrköping.

Club: Åby Riding Club.

Horse: Indiana, mare, 16 years old.

Main merits: Olympic gold team 2021, Olympic silver team 2004, World Championship gold team 2022, World Championship silver team 2018, World Championship silver team 2002, European Championship silver team 2017, European Championship silver team 2001.

Previous Olympics: 2021, 2016, 2004, 2000, 1996.

Peder Fredricson

Born: January 30, 1972.

Lives: Vitaby.

Club: Österlen Riding Club.

Horse: Catch Me Not S, gelding, 18 years old.

Main merits: Olympic gold team 2021, Olympic silver individual 2021, Olympic silver individual 2016, Olympic silver team 2004, World Championship gold team 2022, World Championship silver team 2018, European Championship gold individual 2017, European Championship silver team 2017.

Previous Olympics: 2021, 2016, 2004, 1992 (eventing).

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson

Born: June 2, 1962.

Lives: Itzehoe, Germany.

Club: Flyinge Horse Sport Club.

Horse: Zuccero, stallion, 12 years old.

Main merits: Olympic silver individual 2008, Olympic silver team 2004, European Championship gold team 2023, European Championship bronze team 2013, European Championship gold individual 2011, European Championship bronze individual 2001, European Championship silver team 2001.

Previous Olympics: 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004, 1996.

Henrik von Eckermann

Born: May 25, 1981.

Lives: Kessel, Netherlands.

Club: Östra Sörmland Rural RF.

Horse: King Edward, gelding, 14 years old.

Main merits: Olympic gold team 2021, World Championship gold individual 2022, World Championship gold team 2022, World Championship silver team 2018, European Championship gold team 2023, European Championship silver team 2017, European Championship bronze team 2013, World Cup final winner 2024, World Cup final winner 2023.

Previous Olympics: 2021, 2016, 2012.

Athens 2004

+ Silver in show jumping team event. Malin Baryard Johnsson, Peder Fredricson, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Peter Eriksson.

Beijing/Hong Kong 2008

+ Silver for Rolf-Göran Bengtsson in individual show jumping.

London 2012

+ Silver for Sara Algotsson Ostholt in individual eventing.

Rio de Janeiro 2016

+ Silver for Peder Fredricson in individual show jumping.

Tokyo 2021

+ Gold in show jumping team event. Malin Baryard Johnsson, Peder Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann.

+ Silver for Peder Fredricson in individual show jumping.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third Straight Win at World Championship

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety
2 MIN READ

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety in Hockey Equipment Industry

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines in Miami's Victory Over Washington

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot
1 MIN READ

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot Injury, City Hopes for Season Return

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated
2 MIN READ

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated Semifinal Against Djurgården

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda
3 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda to Semifinals

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK
2 MIN READ

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK Victory at Gamla Ullevi

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle
3 MIN READ

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle Larsson for European Basketball Championship

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0