She comes from Norway’s most famous horse family, and the 32-year-old from Lier edged out her younger brother Johan-Sebastian in the battle for an Olympic ticket in show jumping. The goal of the Olympic debut is clear – to copy dad Geir Gulliksen’s final place from Tokyo in 2021. – He has given a lot of advice. He has a lot of experience, and that helps a lot, says Victoria Gulliksen about her father. It is only a year and a half since she began her collaboration with the now 12-year-old gelding Mistral van de Vogelzang. – We call him “Mister”, because he is the boss, says Gulliksen, who lives in Belgium. FINAL GOAL: Victoria Gulliksen is ready for her Olympic debut. Photo: Stefano Grasso But the collaboration really started by chance. – He was a touring horse for the man who owns him. He thought he was a bit healthy, so he had someone ride him. Then it turned out that he suddenly had qualities he hadn’t had when he was younger, she says. – Costs extremely much Through acquaintances, the rider got the opportunity to try his hand. They found out very quickly that it was a perfect match, and thus the work towards the Olympics began. – We chat together without speaking, but there is a “connection” where I can read his body language, and he can read my body language. I try to adapt to his everyday life and he adapts to mine, and we help each other along the way, Gulliksen explains. You might think that someone who comes from a horse empire owned their own horse in the championship, but this is not the case – even if Gulliksen has a small share. – It’s because it’s very difficult to find horses out there, and when you go out and buy them, it costs an awful lot. I am incredibly lucky that people want me to work with their horses, when we cannot afford to spend that capital ourselves, she says. – What is the price tag on “Mister”? – Very much, replies the show jumper, without wanting to reveal how much. GOOD RELATIONSHIP: Victoria Gulliksen is clear about what is most important to her: That “Mister” is doing well. Photo: Stefano Grasso Can be sold after the Olympics Geir Gulliksen is also in place in Paris. He tells news that the best horses often cost NOK 25-30 million, or more. – We try to sell the most expensive ones, not buy them! he says with a laugh. – It goes beyond the sporting aspect, but if we had been dealing with the most expensive horses, I wouldn’t have had a horse or money after a few years, continues Gulliksen, who has built up the million-dollar business from the ground up. The daughter has a great understanding of that. – The best horses are often sold, and if you have a very good horse, it is usually sold before the Olympics. If you were to choose to take the risk of keeping it for an Olympics or another championship, then the price tag may drop, or you may not find the right customer again, and then you have to sell then and there. It is of course not good for “business”, says Victoria Gulliksen. But even now she does not know for sure whether the collaboration with the horse will continue after the Games in Paris. The father says that the interest in “Mister” is already great, and with a good result in the Olympics, the value will also increase. – Is there any danger that he could be bought from you? – Yes, it always is. There are always some customers who can come up. But luckily the owner and I are very fond of “Mister”, and we have a good relationship with good communication, so we can hope that he stays. In the Olympics: Geir Gulliksen with his horse Quatro withdrew from the final in the Olympics in Tokyo after several tears. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB On Monday, 70 riders will compete in show jumping in front of the palace in Versailles. The top 35 go to the final. – When I made it to the final in Tokyo, no one thought it was possible, but she can do it, so I have faith, says Geir Gulliksen. Published 05/08/2024, at 06.28
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Gulliksen can lose the millionaire horse with a good Olympics – Olympics Paris 2024
