Interview with Stella Hagelstam
Name: Stella Hagelstam
Age: 39 years old
Profession: dressage rider, trainer, bachelor degree in economics
Number of owned animals: 30 horses, 3 Dalmatians
Animal highlights: Have always loved all sorts of animals but my highlights are of course with horses and probably some of the biggest international shows like WEG in Caen/France 2014 and Herning/Denmark 2022 on the other hand I have bred four litters of Dalmatian puppies and I absolutely loved it.
Portrait:
What do you do exactly and since when?
I’m a professional dressage rider, breeder and trainer. I have ridden all my life and competed in dressage since 13 years old. Today I run a training and breeding stable Boe Gård in south Finland. We have approximately 20 horses in training and my trainer is Daniel Bachmann and Rien van der Schaft. Besides the horses in training there is about 10 young ones and 4-6 breeding mares. We also buy a few foals each summer mainly from Finnish breeders. Our concept is to educate and compete our horses up to a higher level before selling. We educate all of them with soft and horse friendly methods to reach the best possible outcome and happy horses that enjoy their work and want to give their best.
Briefly describe your career.
I have ridden all my life. Got my first own pony at the age of 9 and was actually more interested in show jumping the first years. Got more interested in dressage at 13 years old and represented Finland in the Nordic Baltic championship at 15 and 16 as a pony rider followed by years as a junior and young rider. I represented Finland internationally in all different age groups. Finnished my studies in Economics and founded my own company Passion for Dressage. Since 2013 I have been running my own stable at Boe Gård in south Finland. I have been working and training with many top professionals in Germany, England, Sweden and Denmark. I used to coach more but when having two young kids there is not time for everything so today I don’t coach so much. I was the national team trainer for the pony riders 2010-2013
What successes have you already had?
6 times gold in the Finnish Grand Prix Championships / showed 7 horses in the Young Horse World Championships / educated 10 horses from young to Grand Prix / represented Finland in two World Championships. Caen/France in 2014 with Chopin and Herning/Denmark 2022 with MSJ Kom Fairytale / represented Finland in two European Championships. Herning/Denmark in 2013 with Soraya and Hagen/Germany in 2021 with Sangraal / several international wins and placings
Eggersmann: Hello Stella, you are a successful dressage rider and trainer. Do you come from a riding family yourself? How do you balance friends and family with this time-consuming hobby/profession?
Stella: Yes, my mother had horses when I was born and she competed in Dressage and Eventing. Especially breeding FWB (Finnish Warmblood) horses was my mother’s passion and I’m happy to continue with it after learning so much from her.
Eggersmann: How was the step into self-employment for you?
Stella: It has always been my goal so all the years working abroad have made me ready for it. I love to be able to plan and decide things myself. I’m not afraid of working hard and carrying a lot of responsibilities so it fits me well.
Eggersmann: How long have you been feeding Eggersmann products and why did you choose us?
Stella: We chose Eggersmann approximately 17 years ago already and have been exclusively using Eggersmann for all our horses since then! I’m extremely satisfied with how my horses look and how healthy they are. It’s really nice to be able to find products for all age groups from the same producer. We have a minimal amount of colics, allergies and other issues here at Boe and all our horses look great with beautiful coats and well built muscles.
Eggersmann: According to which criteria do you compose the food of the animal?
Stella: As mentioned above the health is the absolute priority. I also want my horses to enjoy their food and looking good on the outside. It’s important that the food is high quality so that too big amounts is not needed. With this many horses the price also needs to meet with the quality and that it really does for the Eggersmann products.
Eggersmann: Is the feed changed over the year according to the situation?
Stella: We feed all our training horses Eggersmann Kombi the year around and then some needs a little extra like Vitalize Sport Plus during the show seasons. The foals and breeding mares gets their food according to the age and what stage their pregnancy is. The seniors get Senior müsli and a couple of horses need low starch food and they get Eggersmann Revital.
Eggersmann: Do you feed your animals grain-free? If yes, why?
Stella: Some horses needs it because of their digestion but we don’t have many that need it.
Eggersmann: What can't be missing from your food pantry?
Stella: Eggersmann Kombi and Eggersmann Mash! These two we need for almost all our horses every day.
Eggersmann: What are your goals and whishes for you and your animals?
Stella: I want my horses to be happy, healthy, successful and full of positive energy. Easy to say I want all of that for myself too. I have big plans for this year and especially for 2024 and the Olympics in Paris. The Olympics are our main goal and now when I have returned back in the saddle after my baby break the focus will be very much on getting the qualifications needed and the spot in the team to reach the Olympics next year.
Either... or...
Animal hobby or animal profession? Profession
Pellets oder Muesli? Pellets
Feeding with grain or without grain? With grain
Vacation with pets or without pets? Without pets
Eggersmann or Eggersmann? EGGERSMANN!
Thank you for the interview. We look forward to continuing to support you and wish you all the best in your future plans.