The Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation was established to preserve the horse's cultural significance and to advance equestrian sports on the horse's terms.
Horses have been at the heart of Ingvar Fredricson's life's work. Through pioneering scientific research, practical horsemanship, and his leadership at Flyinge, Sweden's national center for breeding, education, and equestrian sport, he has advanced equine health, soundness, longevity, and performance—leaving a lasting mark on the Swedish and international equestrian community.
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At Flyinge’s Horse Welfare Summit, the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation awarded its 2026 scholarship to Dr Andrew McLean, recognising his pioneering work in equitation science and his longstanding contribution to equine welfare.
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Two days. One shared goal: advancing horse welfare through science, education and practice. Join leading international experts at the Horse Welfare Summit 2026, where Dr Andrew McLean will deliver two keynote lectures and receive the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation Scholarship.
A new review examines how smartphones are becoming genuine tools for monitoring a horse's soundness, heart rate and recovery, and even for meeting international competition requirements. Among the systems it highlights is Sleip, co-founded by Dr. Elin Hernlund, one of the Foundation's own scholarship recipients, whose work builds on decades of Swedish equine biomechanics research going back to Professor Ingvar Fredricson himself.
On November 2, visitors gathered in Hall B at the Jönköping Horse Show for the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation’s 2025 scholarship ceremony, celebrating groundbreaking Swedish research in equine biomechanics. From the pioneering efforts of the 1970s—when high‑speed cameras and manual measurements were the researcher’s tools—to today’s AI‑powered motion analysis and robotic hoof simulators, the audience was taken on a journey through decades of innovation. Professors Lars Roepstorff and Marie Rhodin, together with Associate Professor Elin Hernlund, shared their latest breakthroughs, followed by live demonstrations showing how AI and high‑precision sensors are transforming the understanding of horse–rider interaction. Moderator Jens Fredricson guided the dialogue and inspired exchange between researchers, while post‑event discussions with attendees helped build valuable bridges between research and practice.
A historical film documenting Flyinge's transformation from the Swedish National Stud to a privately governed foundation, and the 25 years of leadership, development, and renewal that followed.
The biomarker research recognised through the Foundation’s inaugural scholarship in 2024 has now led to the establishment of ArthroDiagnostics (www.arthrodiagnostics.se), a laboratory specialising in biomarker‑based diagnostics that enable earlier detection and improved monitoring of medical treatment for equine osteoarthritis.
July 11, 2025 marks the inaugural International Day of the Horse, proclaimed by the United Nations to recognize the horse’s profound and lasting contribution to human history — and to raise global awareness of equine welfare and cultural heritage. As noted by a UN spokesperson: “Few animals have contributed to human progress as profoundly — and as quietly — as the horse. From nomads on the Eurasian steppes to modern Olympic arenas and backyard barns, horses have carried goods, ploughed fields, won wars, and comforted hearts.” The Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation is proud to highlight this milestone. We invite the equestrian community to pause on July 11th, reflect on the enduring bond between horse and human — and take this opportunity to reaffirm our shared responsibility to honor, protect, and advocate for the welfare of these extraordinary animals.
ZEUS, the iconic metal horse from the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, continues its journey across France. After captivating audiences at the Château de Versailles, the sculpture is now on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris and will appear at the Eiffel Tower in June.
Flyinge has named its new arena the Fredricson Arena—a tribute to its former director, Ingvar Fredricson, and his sons Jens and Peder, also prominent figures in Swedish equestrian sport. Measuring 85 m x 135 m, it is one of Europe's largest arenas. The Fredricson family is honored to have their name on this world-class international training and competition arena, which will be instrumental in developing future championship riders. Per Wilén created the accompanying slideshow of the inauguration.
In this film, Professor Ingvar 'Fredric' Fredricson shares his long-held vision to improve horse welfare through better lameness diagnostics and prevention – and his joy that his ideas are finally being put into practice.
P.R. van Weeran, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVS, Professor at Utrecht University, was a guest lecturer at the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony on May 28th, 2024.
"Never listen too much to old advisors, but feel what you believe deep down, because you are the ones at the forefront." That was Ingvar Fredricson's message to the young doctors, in connection with his being appointed Jubilee Doctor at the Swedish University of Agriculture.
Ingvar Fredricson: “After some 50 years, it’s fantastic to see my ideas of using technology to improve horse welfare materialize."
Be the horse's champion. Preserve its cultural significance. Advance equestrian sport — always on the horse's terms.
