“Let’s go!”

A citizen proposal concerning the municipally owned equestrian facility in Boden, along with input on how it should be used after the new indoor arena was built, forms the background to an extensive dialogue process carried out over the past year with Boden’s equestrian associations. Peter Holmbom, who recently took up the role of Head of Leisure and Youth Services, worked together with colleagues and the local riding associations to take a comprehensive approach to the issue.

“I’ve spent a great deal of time listening and working to understand how to find solutions in dialogue with representatives from all the equestrian associations here in Boden Municipality. Combined with a legal review of the operating agreement, this has resulted in a long-term, sustainable solution that works well for everyone involved,” says Peter Holmbom.

Today, the associations express that they have united around a shared ambition to create a collaborative platform with strong foundations for advancing equestrian sports in Boden.

“Above all, there is clarity now. It feels really good,” says BRK Chair Terése Edholm.

Boden Competition Riders Society has started holding regular training sessions at the facility.

“It means a lot that we can now have indoor training here,” says Elina Lundström from Boden Competition Riders Society.

Other associations have begun planning collaborations with BRK for upcoming events this year.

“As the person who submitted the citizen proposal, I feel very satisfied. We now see opportunities instead of obstacles and have lightning-fast communication,” says Lili-Marie Lundström from Midur Icelandic Horse Association.

The associations emphasize the importance of having a transparent booking system, good advance planning, the ability to benefit from each other’s expertise, and jointly bringing in top names as instructors and inspirers.

A good example is this weekend’s competition, which brought together riders from Sweden, Finland, and Norway at the Boden equestrian facility. The organizer was BRK, which also hosted a lecture in connection with the competition by Sara Brink, one of the few A-level course designers in Sweden. The lecture was open to all horse enthusiasts.

Riding associations gathered for a fresh start at the Boden equestrian facility. From left: Peter Holmbom (Head of Leisure and Youth Services, Boden Municipality), Lili-Marie Lundström (Midur Icelandic Horse Association), Stina Öhman (Arctic Horse Society), Terése Edholm (Boden Riding Club), Elina Lundström (Boden Competition Riders Society), Katarina Lindgren (Midur Icelandic Horse Association), and Johan Gröhn (Boden Riding Club).