Swedish juniors won gold in the World Youth Games in western riding

Ellen, 18, and Märta, 19, spend many hours in the stables, and it is precisely the versatility and interaction that got them hooked on western riding.

- What I have always experienced is that there are no limits, you can do everything, from jumping to barrel racing or working horses in hand. You don't even need to be able to ride them to be able to compete in this sport. I think this versatility is something that is very cool, says Ellen Berntsson.

International team competition for juniors

In Europe, western riding involves around 40 different disciplines and the World Youth Games is western riding's international team competition for juniors and is decided every two years in Europe and every other year in the USA. Ten countries participated, including the USA, Germany, France and China. But it was Märta, Ellen and Alma who took the gold with a strong team effort.

- It's great fun and was a really cool experience, says Märta Broberg, who participated with her seven-year-old mare Lilly.

"My horse is the most important thing"

The interaction and love for the horses is what drives and makes you constantly strive to get better.

- My horse is the most important thing, says Märta Broberg, and is supported by Ellen Berntsson, who has had her now six-year-old horse, CBS Mechanical Deer, who is called "little John" since he was a foal.

- He means something completely extra. He is very expressive and has so much personality. Working with him feels more like play than work. If he had been a human being, he would have made jokes about jokes, says Ellen Berntsson.

"Little John" was the competition's best horse

"Little John" was also named the competition's best horse, as he was one of the horses that was loaned out. In order for riders from all over the world to be able to participate without having to transport their own horses long distances, competition horses are drawn between the participants. The rider then gets 15 minutes to get to know the horse before the competition.

Hear more about Märta Ellen and western riding in the clip above.