Ludwig Svennerstål is a talented, young professional equestrian from Sweden. At the London Olympics 2012, as the youngest rider at the Games at 21 years old, Ludwig qualified to compete in the individual finals with his Hanoverian gelding Shamwari. Ludwig and the Swedish team took a historic silver medal in 2013 at the European Championships, at home turf in Sweden, Malmö.
Since then, Ludwig has consistently delivered at the highest level and is ranking amongst the top 10 in the world on several occasions.
At Star Stable Entertainment we’re happy and proud to get a chance to interview Ludwig, and poke his mind a little bit.
Many of our players dream about owning and riding horses. What are the most rewarding and most challenging things of having horses?
The most rewarding thing you get, is the love from the horses. That unique bond you create between a rider and a horse is impossible to describe. The most challenging part is when they get hurt, when they feel bad and there is nothing I can do.
In Star Stable Online we have about 40 horse breeds and we are regularly releasing new breeds based on player feedback. You have several horses, can you say something about each of them? Breed, qualities and personality? If one of them were to be a game character, who would it be and why?
Currently, I have 20 horses that I take care of so it would take too long to say something about each and everyone of them. My favorite breeds are the Irish sports horses, the Swedish warmbloods and Holsteiners because they are extremely brave with a very positive attitude.
If one of my horses could be a game character that would be El Kazir. He’s social, very sensitive and extremely funny. He makes me laugh every day and is impossible not to love.
In our game, players can meet friends and join riding clubs, solve quests and compete in races, explore the fictional island of Jorvik from horse back and be part of a big and magic adventure. What part of Star Stable would you enjoy and why? If you could make a game, what kind of game would that be?
I love being in the stable and meeting my friends, so I guess the part I would enjoy the most would be the riding clubs. If I would make a game, it would probably be something like Star Stable – but around competing and preparing the horse for the Olympics. Although, I must admit – no one would probably play a game that I make because it would be too realistic and
who wants to spend their free time doing muck-out?
At Star Stable Entertainment, we want every girl to experience that she carries the strength and capability in herself to control her own destiny and be whoever she wants to be. You have done your own thing, left your family and your country to ride and with horses. What was it like to take that step and did it turn out the way you wanted?
I’m not going to lie, it was tough. The first years of leaving everything behind me to chase my dream was horrible. But in the end it was definitely worth it. Seeing the results that I’ve made on my own makes me extremely proud.
If you didn’t have the job you have today, what would you have done instead?
It’s a hard question, since I was a little kid I have devoted my life to becoming the best rider so I have not really explored any other options . But maybe I could be a chef, I make a pretty good lasagna. It’s all about dimming the lights and lighting the candles so no one sees how it looks.
Our main characters – the Soul Riders – get their energy from horses but also music, books, friends or by being for themselves for a while. How do you recharge?
Haha, I mostly play games on my mobile phone and watch Riverdale. Then I also love to spend time with my best friends, and sing for hours in the shower. Favorite shower soundtrack right now is: Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar.
You are part of many competitions. What is the best way to prepare for a competition?
To cuddle and bond with the horses, and eat like there is no tomorrow.
Sometimes things do not go as planned. How do you deal with that – having to adapt, rethink or even deal with failure?
I’m the worst at it. I hate when I fail in a competition and then immediately need to go and talk to the press. But I’m trying to tell myself it’s about focusing on the bigger goal of becoming the world’s best rider – and failure is a part of that.
For all the young people who dream about getting where you are, do you have any tips to share?
It’s a cliche, but believing in yourself and never giving up, is the key. There will be bad days, there will be times when the world if falling apart – but you just need to keep on fighting.
Want to learn more about Ludwig? Visit his website!