JUBLER: Ingrid Gjelsten photographed in the Desert International Horse Park on Saturday American time. Photo: Desert International Horse Park
Dad Bjørn Rune sat ringside when Ingrid Gjelsten (23) took a quantum leap in her showjumping career with victory in California on the night of Sunday Norwegian time.
Sunday 25 February at 15:48
– Her biggest victory ever, states the Norwegian participant in the last Olympics, Geir Gulliksen, to VG.
– A big day for me – and my great team, writes Ingrid Gjelsten in a message to VG.
– This is my first victory in a 150 cm Grand Prix internationally.
Olympic candidate Marie Valdar Longem was number 21 in the event. Female and male show jumpers compete in the same class. Longem was mentioned in VG last Friday.
Ingrid Gjelsten was faultless in both rounds on Saturday. Photo: Desert International Horse Park
Ingrid Gjelsten praises her horse VDL Edgar, which is owned by the Gjelsten family and which she has ridden for a year.
– Edgar is a fantastic horse, a top-level winner.
In the message to VG, Ingrid Gjelsten also praises her Irish coach Jessica Kürten.
– Jessica has given me confidence, writes the 23-year-old.
Geir Gulliksen is impressed:
– Ingrid has taken a big step in recent months. She has very good development, he says.
Ingrid Gjelsten trains at a stable near Lucerne in Switzerland. In January 2023, Bjørn Rune Gjelsten announced that the daughter had taken over 80 percent of the ownership in Gjelsten Holding and moved to Switzerland. He himself retained control of the company.
Bjørn Rune Gjelsten has reason to be proud of his daughter’s achievements on horseback. Here the two are photographed together in 2019. Photo: Ole Kristian Strøm / VG
– Success cannot be bought in this industry. Hard work is needed here, and Ingrid does that. It is impressive with two error-free innings, says Geir Gulliksen to VG.
Gjelsten was therefore the only one with two error-free innings. She had a re-ride against three rivals, who all pulled once. Number two was Shawn Casady from the USA and number three was Camilo Rueda, representing Colombia.
– I was actually quite nervous today, says Ingrid Gjelsten equnews.com.
– I just tried to keep calm and not stress. I try to stick to the plan. I know Edgar can do it, so it all depends on me.
Marie Valdar Longem had the Selle Français gelding Ermes du Pestel in the event. She suffered a total of eight foul points in the first round.