Arne Bergendahl - English
Can you introduce yourself in a few words and tell us about your equestrian evolution?
My name is Arne Bergendahl, I’m 34 years old and I live in Hamminkeln, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. I ride part-time, as my main job is at the "Kreisverwaltung Wesel," where I am responsible for permitting wind power plants. My father was a farmer who switched to riding and breeding horses in the early 2000s, so horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started riding at the age of 6, competed in my first little cross-country event at 7, and rode in my first international competition in 2005. Since 2011, I have progressed through the levels with my horse Checkovich up to 4*, achieving a fantastic 17th place in Boekelo last year. He is now competing with a Young Rider girl in Germany. Additionally, I have educated many young horses over the past few years, which we bred and sold ourselves or for clients.
Why did you choose cross-country instead of show jumping or dressage?
My father was a passionate eventer, so I caught the "virus" quite early. I am quite interested in all three phases, and I really enjoy the bond that develops between the horse and me when we compete in all three phases over the years. Besides that, the thrill of cross-country is unbeatable.
What are your goals for the next competition?
The next competitions will be in 2025, so my aim is to get the horses back in shape for the bigger events that will hopefully come.
What is your greatest pride? And, conversely, your greatest disappointment?
I'm very happy to be able to compete at the highest level with our own bred and educated horse, Luthien NRW, and to have educated all my 4* (5 in total) horses by myself so far. My greatest disappointment has been having to withdraw from my first Nations Cup in Boekelo 2022 with Luthien, as I couldn’t get a result for the team.
Arne Bergendahl, a 34-year-old accomplished equestrian, shares his journey in the sport, his passion for cross-country, and his future ambitions. Having been involved in equestrianism since childhood, he has achieved significant success with his horses, particularly Checkovich and Luthien NRW. Arne also discusses the importance of equine welfare and his commitment to breeding and educating high-level horses. Through this interview, he provides insight into his love for riding and his goals for upcoming competitions.
© Joyce Kolfschoten
What horse has had the most impact on your career? And which ones do you have high hopes for?
As mentioned before, Checkovich was extremely important to my career, as I had no other horse when we started, and I was far from being an international eventing rider. Other horses have also provided me with valuable experiences over the years, but he has been with me for 13 years, and I competed in 25% of my international events by the end of 2023. I have high hopes of competing in other 5s with Luthien and also progressing with Bronco NRW and Carrigane Dahlia, as they are already showing their ability to compete at 4. I also have two six-year-old mares, United Mara and Call Me Pucky, whom I believe can reach that level as well.
With Luthien NRW, your leading horse, you won the CCI4 in Maarsbergen and placed 2nd in Strzegom. When you started competing with him in 2018, did you think you would reach this level of competition?
It was always clear to us that Luthien is a special horse with amazing scope and jumping ability, a big heart, and a super strong canter. Since I didn’t have much experience with 4* in 2018, I couldn’t really say if she was a 5*-horse, but I was confident that she could compete at 4*.
You also have Bronco NRW, who was second in the 3 at Maarsbergen, 7th in Münster, and also second in the 4 for 8- and 9-year-olds in Strzegom. Can we say he’s the next star?
I hope that Bronco, who is Luthien’s only son so far, will reach the absolute top of the sport as well, especially with a bit better dressage scores. He has super movement, is an exceptional show-jumper, and shares his mother's big heart in cross-country.
Can you tell us about Carrigane Dahlia?
She started her competition career quite late, in 2022, when she was already 8 years old, with the aim of selling her. She quickly adapted to the sport and was already placed in 3*-L by the end of 2023, making the step up to 4*-S this year. She is very consistent and reliable, which I believe is her biggest advantage.
© Michael Gale
How would you describe riding to the general public? And can you explain why riding is a sport?
Equestrianism is about getting to know a horse very closely and becoming a real team. You need to understand your horse really well to compete successfully at the level of a 5*. Riding is a sport because it requires skills like quick reactions, fitness, body control, and the ability to make swift decisions based on feelings and knowledge of your horse—all while competing under pressure.
For you, what is the place of ethology and equine well-being in high-level sport? Do you think that equine ethology and well-being are sufficiently taken into account in the equestrian environment?
The well-being of the horse is always the most important consideration because without horses, there are no riders. If anyone could see how much effort goes into keeping horses happy, both at home and at events, there would be no doubt about our commitment.