Born: 1951
Horses: Matador, Edinburg, Amiral, Master, Max. At the moment it is probably the Lusitano stallion Rico who is closest to international Grand Prix.. and Matata, an 8-year-old gelding by Matador, born in Finland!
Merits: As a rider Kyra has competed internationally for 30 years with great success, won silver individually at the World Championship in Stockholm 1990, she has been a Nordic Champion, won 10 Finish Championships, has ridden 6 Olympics, ridden 6 World Cup Finals and has never been placed less than sixth and she even won the Finals in Paris 1991. Furthermore she has edcated and competed 15 horses in international Grand Prix. As a trainer – further to Knytkalaset – she has educated the Finish Junior Team, and her students have received several individual silver and bronze medals and she trained more than 30 international Grand Prix riders.
Kyra Kyrklund has furthermore been announced as professor in eqiutation at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with National Equine Centers Flyinge and Strömsholm.
Has trained for/been influenced by: During the time at Strömsholm: Göran Casparson. In Germany: Walther Christensen and Herbert Rehbein. In the 1990s and onwards: George Morris, he is a very good trainer. Then of course Richard (White) who sees me every day and who comes up with good ideas and new angles and solutions to old problems.
Goal: To collect and try “new methods” in the education of horses but also riders.
Motive: To always try to improve – a lifetime is not long enough to learn “everything” about the horse.
Strenght as a rider: Physically: good balance and coordination. Mentally: Curious positive realist.
Strenght as a trainer: Never gets angry or dissapointed that the students does not immediately succeed in doing what I request – I KNOW it takes TIME. I believe in a positive “mental” environment where the rider feels secure.. then you DARE to try out new ways without being afraid of a small failure in the beginning. Change may be difficult and terrifying and it does not make it better or easier that the trainer yells bawls (often because they are dissappointed themselves or insecure..)..
Knytkalaset: In the long term I do not believe in “quick fix” so when the opportunity appeared to continue a REGULAR TRAINING with some of my “old” students after my time in Flyinge, I took the opportunity! Regularity, long term relations, the riders “dedication” and target orientation is what I like about Knytkalaset!!
Significance: The way we work has not just showed results at competitions but also enhanced my own belief in LONG TERM work. The education of both horse and rider TAKES TIME and it has to take the time necessary. I love to see the development you can do to horses both physically and mentally, it IS like sculpturing and creating a peace of art.
Goal with the riders: To make them independent and THINKING rideres, who themselves are able to educate horses up to Grand Prix.
1980 Moscow 5 Piccolo
1984 Los Angeles 19 Nör
1988 Seoul 5 Matador & Seoul team competition 6 The Finnish Team
1992 Barcelona 5 Edinburg
1996 Atlanta 28 Flyinge Amiral
2008 Hong Kong 8 Max (6 in the Kür)
World Equestrian Games
1990 Stockholm 2 Matador
1994 Haag 4 Edinburg
1998 Rome 9 Flyinge Amiral
2006 Aachen GPS 12 Max & Aachen GP Kür 7 Max
World Cup Finals
1991 Paris 1 Matador
1994 Gothenburg 3 Edinburg
1997 s’Hertogenbosch 5 Flyinge Amiral
1998 Gothenburg 6 Master
2007 Las Vegas 4 Max
2008 s’Hertogenbosch 3 Max
European Championships
1979 Ǻrhus 20 Piccolo
1985 Copenhagen 13 Nör
1987 Goodwood 7 Matador
1993 Lipica 4 Edinburg
1995 Mohndorf 10 Flyinge Amiral
1997 Verden 9 Flyinge Amiral
2005 Hagen 12 Max
2009 Windsor 7 Max (in the Kür)
Nordic Campionships
1979 Odense 1 Piccolo
Finnish Champion
1972, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989
Other Important Competition Results
1984 Hamburg Dressage Derby 1 Nör
1988 Hamburg Dressage Derby 1 Matador
1997 Hamburg Dressage Derby Kür 1 Flyinge Amiral
1998 The Young Horse Million 1 Tip Top
2006 CDIO Aachen GP, GPS & GP Kür 2 Max
2006 CDI Stuttgart GP & GP Kür 1 Max
2008 CDI Wiesbaden GP Kür 1 Max
2009 World Dressage Masters 2 Max (both in Munich and Cannes)