Yasmin Olsson-Sanderson

Yasmin Olsson-Sanderson is a 21 year old Norwegian Event Rider, currently based in Hampshire and competing at CCI** level.

Yasmin started riding at school, aged 5, but it wasn’t until she was 9 that Yasmin got her own pony Murphy (a 13.2hh show jumper).

Murphy was a challenge and while educating her he was overwhelming, but ultimately he taught Yasmin a lot, most notably the necessity of having a good seat! Yasmin’s dream was to show jump but this was soon to change when she began to have lessons with New Zealand’s International Event rider, Bruce Haskell.

Bruce encouraged her to start Eventing, and even helped the family find Yasmin’s first event pony, Patrick III, and so at only 11 years old Yasmin started British Eventing.

In 2008 whilst out riding with friends Yasmin had a life-threatening riding accident, which left her in hospital, barely conscious, with bleeding on the brain and facial lesions. She was told by the doctors she would never ride again. This, however, just made Yasmin more determined and only 3 weeks after leaving hospital she convinced her parents to let her get back in the saddle, and nervously they agreed!

She went on to finish her 2008 season by competing at a BE90, which helped her to push the nerves to the side and get back to the sport she loves with Patrick until 2009.
2010 saw Yasmin progress from BE90 to Novice ably guided by her now trainer Bruce Haskell.

Having Norwegian nationality has meant that Yasmin has had her heart set on riding for Norway at some point in her career. The Norwegian Equestrian Federation selectors had been watching her progress over the previous two seasons and on the strength of her promising 2011 results had invited her to ride under the Norwegian flag at the Pony European Championships in 2011.

Having considered all the options, Yasmin declined this offer as it was felt she needed to gain more experience and it was decided she would continue to compete in the British Eventing/Team GB Pony Trials programme to gain maximum exposure to top level trials before making a decision on her riding nationality.

In the June of 2011 Yasmin competed in her first 3-day event at Brand Hall, the final trial for the British Pony European event team, this was an incredible experience. In October of 2011, Yasmin was entered at Weston Park International P** 3-day where they finished 6th overall, (Yasmin’s best result to date at this level).

In 2012 the same offer of competing for Norway was presented to Yasmin and this time she accepted. The 2012 Pony European Championships 17th – 22nd July in Fontainebleau would see Yasmin ride for the first time as part of the Norwegian Team, but getting there wasn’t going to be a smooth journey.

Yasmin’s 2012 season started well with 7th place in the Pony Trial at Aldon. However, the season was to be hampered after a nasty fall at Tweseldown followed by the fracturing of her wrist after another fall at Brand Hall, leaving Yasmin unable to ride just four weeks before the Pony Europeans in Fontainebleau.

Despite, the intense pressure effecting both rider and pony, Yasmin arrived at Fontainebleau and although they didn’t perform a world-beating test they were placed 39th after dressage. A clear cross-country on a technical course saw the partnership move up to 30th; and a single pole rolled in the show jumping meant the they finish 23rd of 54 starters and the best placed Scandinavian.

Yasmin gained a wealth of experience throughout the week, and both the rider and the Norwegian Team were very pleased with her final result. 2013 saw Yasmin no longer eligible to compete on Ponies. At the beginning of 2013 Yasmin purchased an inexperienced, ex-racehorse My Boy Nick (Nick), which she has slowly produced and competed throughout 2014. He will event more in 2015 at BE90 and BE100.

Yasmin purchased another horse, Opposition Angel One (Bea), by the famous stallion Fleetwater Opposition in 2013. In only their second event, Yasmin and Bea finished in 3rd place in a competitive Open Novice u18 Qualifier at Bicton. Their season continued successfully with a 2nd and a 3rd placing at Mattingley and Wilton respectively, as well as making the step up to CIC* with a qualifying result secured at Chatsworth International.

Yasmin’s season was slightly dampened at Hartpury International Horse Trials in August. The partnership had hoped to qualify for the Junior European Championships that September. After a thrilling dressage Yasmin was disappointed to have an uncharacteristic refusal just 5 fences from home on the cross country and ultimately deciding to retire the young mare and save her for another day.

Yasmin completed her season with a trip to Osberton in North Nottinghamshire where she did a personal best dressage test scoring 48.3, followed by a solid clear cross-country and finished the competition with a beautiful clear round show jumping to add only 1 time fault to their final score. This was thrilling result because it now meant the combination are qualified for the 2014 Junior European Championship (to be held in the UK at Bishop Burton College).

2014 started off well with Bea completing a CIC* just outside the top ten at Hambleden and the pair had an amazing intermediate debut finishing 8th at Bicton. Just after being selected to compete on the Norwegian team at the Junior European championships the mare picked up ah injury putting her out for the remainder of the season.

Although missing the Europeans was gutting, Yasmin was extremely lucky to pick up the ride on Opposition Heracles, an extremely experience stallion who previously competed up to 3* and has been campaigned by many big names such as Pippa Funnel and Sam Griffiths. Owned by John Johnston, Yasmin and Hero competed in 3 events in 2014 and aim to compete at the Young Rider Europeans in 2015.

Yasmin is looking forward to an exciting 2015 season which will see her aiming for the Young Rider Europeans with Hero, as well as Blenheim 3* 8/9 yo with Bea who is now back to full fitness. Yasmin has a strong team behind her, being based and trained by Kirsty Johnston at Team Opposition, as well as having continued support from New Zealand Eventer Bruce Haskell. Kentucky Horse Boots and Devoucoux Saddles will also continue to follow her.

Yasmin’s long-term aspiration is to be the first female Norwegian Event rider to compete at the Olympics. “It would be more than a dream to reach Rio 2016, however more realistically I would love to be at the 2020 Olympic Games”.

Yasmin is still very much at the beginning of what she hopes will be a long and successful career, and as such would be very interested to hear from anyone that might be able to help.

So If you are interested in joining the team as an Owner, a Supporter or would like discuss the options available as a Sponsor, then Yasmin would love to hear from you.

Eventing Images

The work of Freelance Sports Photographer Tim Wilkinson

Yasmin Olsson-Sanderson