More than just riders and horses behind the gold

Behind every successful team are leaders and employees who rake in the arena.

Henrik Ankarcrona has carefully built an organization around himself and the national ski jumping team since he took over as federation captain in the fall of 2016.

— I didn’t have a book that said what I was supposed to do. It was “learning by doing” and listening, he says.

He has learned and listened.

Success has been followed by success. Starting in Gothenburg 2017, Swedish show jumping has won nine medals in the major championships (Olympic, WC and EC). And that in a sport that only awards medals in two classes, team and individual.

Paying tribute to his employees

But it’s not a one-man show. Ankarcrona highlights its closest employees:

+ Ann Catrin “Ankan” Carlsson, link to the national youth team and advisory role.

— She puts the most emphasis on the seniors because there are so many competitions and I can’t go to all of them. We have regular meetings and debriefings. She is incredibly valuable with her experience and she is passionate about young people.

+ The office with former Annika Ersgård and now Sara Johansson as elite coordinator.

— Annika is the spider in the web who is currently handing over to Sara Johansson. They have to make sure everything works and participate a little in the competition. I want that role to develop more. It is important to be there and know what is happening. You will be outrun immediately if you are not out on the field.

Rasmus Westgren, national team vet and national team captain Henrik Ankarcrona’s closest employee.

+ Rasmus Westgren, veterinarian.

— Rasmus and “Ankan” were the first ones I called. Competence is a basic requirement, but the chemistry between me and my employees is also important. I got to know Rasmus 25 years ago when we were working in Germany. I am godfather to his oldest child and he to mine and I was best man at his wedding. We are very tight and trust each other. He is also highly trusted by the riders and grooms. The riders know that Rasmus provides me with the information that is relevant for me to be able to make decisions. As a veterinarian, he has the final say on the horses during team selections.

“Sleep with the Horses”

+ Silvia Torresani, equine physiotherapist.

— I took her in in the fall of 2018. There I made a change. I knew her from before and have worked with her. She is a veterinarian at heart and very competent. It has turned out amazingly well. She is good for the horses and a channel for riders and grooms. In Tokyo she basically slept with the horses.

The national team’s equine physiotherapist Silvia Torresani.

+ Per Rehn, chiropractor and the riders’ physiotherapist.

— Per works for the Swedish Olympic Committee but is tied to us for periods. He is an important part even if he is only there a few times a year. He was unable to participate during the EC and here he is replaced by Ellen Melia.

World number one Henrik von Eckermann in conversation with Henrik Ankarcrona. They are flanked by Sara Johansson and Rasmus Westgren, both important people in the union captain’s organization.

Clarity, honesty, openness and sincerity characterize Henrik Ankarcrona’s leadership.

CEO with shoes in the middle

He is more like a CEO with his shoes in the mix, who has to make sure that the company “Svenska Hopplandslaget” makes a profit but also makes sure that the employees are happy, the riders develop and get all the support they need.

— I am always there to help the riders perform. There is no other ulterior motive. I don’t think I have anything to gain by getting involved and doing too much because I’m not part of the riders’ everyday life, he says.

It has been a winning concept.