Björsells Briar

SO many delicate, brittle and unpredictable elements have to dovetail to take a horse and rider to the Olympics. To go once is a major achievement, to go twice is a marvel, but to go three times – as Björsells Briar and Jan Brink did for Sweden – is truly legendary.

The pair also competed at eight World Cup Finals and were the linchpin of the Swedish team at every major championship for a decade. Their once-in-a-lifetime relationship was the beautiful convergence of understanding, talent, dedication and respect.

Briar’s breeder – and owner to this day – Hans-Yngve Göransson always set out to breed a top competition horse, with the emphasis on all-round ability.

“The aim was, and is, to breed as good a sport horse as possible that can do any discipline,” explains the Swede. “Our breeding at Dalhem Farms is normally made so they can do maximum jumping or maximum dressage.

“Briar is