Swedish Grand Prix rider and trainer Cricco Åkerberg has died in the saddle on 30 June 2020. She was 76 years old.
It is suspected that Akerberg collaposed while riding her PRE stallion Chatungo (by ) and then fell off the horse. The trainer was still riding three horses per day despite her age.
Åkerberg competed at national Grand Prix level in Sweden and preferred riding Iberian horses most recently. The Lusitano stallion Toureio (by Dardo) and his son Futuro, as well as Chatungo, were part of her string of horses.
Sixteen years ago Cricco switched from performance sport dressage to classical dressage and riding art after an eye-opening clinic with animal behavourist Andrew McLean in Stromsholm, Sweden.
In an interview with Hippson.se, she explained the switch. "In competitive dress, you usually ride at a higher pace, which makes it difficult for the horse to catch up and it easily becomes tense in the movements. When a horse is going at too high a pace, it will constantly try to find the balance in the rider's hand. The contact with the horse's mouth should only consist of the weight of the bridle. The rider should feel the tongue of the horse and talk with his fingers."
She was a sought after clinician, especially by classical dressage riders, and coached regularly at Sparreholm castle.
Photo © Silke Rottermann
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