2004 Swedish Dressage Championships

Minna Telde and Sack Claim Silver

When Minna Telde and her sponsor Åke Björsell bought the licensed stallion Sack 907 three years ago, the goals were to be in the Swedish team at the 2003 European Championships and at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Both of these dreams were fulfilled, and at November 7th they got a silver medal at the 2004 Swedish Championships.

"Now we have found real harmony, many pieces have fallen into place," said Minna Telde who would have liked to continue riding the wonderful stallion. It was agreed with the sponsor that Sack would be sold after the Olympics and Minna will most likely lose the ride over Sack.

Minna and Sack were 3rd in the Grand Prix with 67,58%, 3rd in Grand Prix Special with 67,36% and second in the Grand Prix kur to music with 72,83%

"Our music, 'The concert for Sack,' is specially made for Sack by Helene Lindqvist who also makes the music for Briar," Minna explained. Minna and Sack have their strength in the trot and passage, but the other parts are constantly improving.

Björsells Sack 907 is a licensed stallion born 1991 by Elite stallion Kaliber (by the Hanoverian Utrillo, who has had such an influence on Swedish breeding) with the leading dressage sire Ceylon as damsire. The combination of Utrillo and Jovial (sire of Ceylon) has proven very successful for top competitors in every discipline. Sack is graded A due to his very good progeny.

Minna, who runs Tullstorp Dressage Stable together with her fiance Jan Brink, had a horrible accident just before the Championships. A young horse reared with Minna in the saddle, flipped over and Minna injured her neck and shoulder, as the horse landed on her. She did not see a doctor until after the Championships – fortunately there was no bone damage, only strained muscles and bleeding in the ligaments. Minna is already back in the saddle.

Björsells Briar 899, the star of Jan Brink, injured his knee in the stable at the WC-competitions in Århus, Denmark. He did not start in Helsingborg, and will not start in Stockholm. Even if he is back in training, it would be too early with a competition so soon after his injury.

Text and photos copyrighted Cissi Nyblom for Eurodressage - No reproduction allowed!

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