Alexander Zetterman is one of Sweden's most prominent showjumping riders and horse entrepreneurs. After many years in the sport, he chose to move his business to France, and here he tells us why.
**Why did you choose to move your horse business to France?
"Traveling from Sweden to international competitions is long and expensive," says Alexander. "I've always had a soft spot for France. When I was 15, I competed in the Nations Cup here, and I remember how we left a gray Sweden and came to amazing weather with a white sand track in a park. It felt like riding on the beach, and I told myself that one day I would live here."
Alexander describes how each visit to France reinforced that feeling. "The whole country breathes and lives horses. No matter what town or village you visit, they almost always have a racetrack or a horse club. When I was growing up in Kristianstad, people didn't understand horses, or even hated horses and looked at us funny. So I have always found inspiration to be here. Here horses are a natural part of society."
He also mentions practical advantages: "France is a huge country and there are lots of horses and activities at different levels. There are both professionals and amateurs, and a wide variety of stud farms. It means I'm constantly seeing new horses every weekend, and it never feels over-exploited, which gives a lot of opportunities and makes it very interesting."
**What is your goal with your business?
"My goal is to have a strong team of top horses and be able to compete in five-star events," says Alexander. "I also want to train and coach riders, while selling good horses along the way. Competing internationally at a high level is what I love most, it's the icing on the cake."
Alexander has grown up in an environment filled with professionals in the sport, which has given him a unique knowledge. He cites the French rider Eric Navet as one of his great idols and inspirations.
**What advice do you have for young riders today?
"Don't try to take any shortcuts," advises Alexander. "Take your time in life and do each step properly so that you become as complete as possible as a rider, horse person and business person. Work with and for the best, you'll learn more from washing buckets and building fences for a top rider than riding 20 horses in a bad stable. Many young people who leave high school have demands from their parents that they must do something sensible with their life and then they start looking for shortcuts and chasing quick results right away, which often leads to a burnout and they quickly get tired and lose the desire. With horses, it's a long process and you can never completely control your journey exactly as you want, but you build character along the way and everyone gets their chance in the end if you manage it well."
**How does Hippocrates Prostable help you in your business?
"Prostable has really helped me save time, especially in terms of administration," says Alexander. "It allows me to spend more time in the stable and with the horses, which is what I am passionate about. It has also made working with the staff more enjoyable."
**What is the most difficult thing about running a horse business?
"The hardest thing is to be patient with the horses while keeping the business going. Developing horses takes time and costs money, and sometimes it's hard to make ends meet while waiting for results. Having a buffer is important to be able to work long-term."
**What is the funniest thing?
"The freedom. I get to control my own time and plan my schedule in a way that suits both me and my horses best. It's a great feeling."