Relivo ambassador Lars Kersten on the World Cup victory, home-bred horses, and the road to the top
He got his first pony at the age of four. In the winter of 2024, he won the World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg on his home-bred horse Hallilea—ahead of two of the world's best riders.
About Lars
Lars Kersten is 26 years old, a professional showjumper, and a co-owner of a company focused on sport, training, and horse trading. He grew up in a stable environment—his parents ran a stable together, and his father was a professional rider himself.
The family breeds their own horses, something Lars believes has shaped him as a rider in a way that is hard to achieve otherwise. It was also on one of their home-bred horses, Hallilea, that he won the World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg in the winter of 2024.
We asked Lars ten questions about the road to where he is now, what breeding has taught him, and which routines make the biggest difference when he needs to perform.
Who are you and what do you do today?
My name is Lars Kersten and I am 26 years old. I am a professional showjumper and a co-owner of a company focused on sport, training, and horse trading.
How did your journey in showjumping begin?
My journey started early. My parents ran a stable together and my father was a professional rider himself. When I was four, I got my first pony, and I started competing at the age of seven.
From that age, things started to get more serious, and I began riding more different ponies and later horses.
You breed your own horses. What has that side of breeding taught you as a rider?
It has given me an incredible amount. Being able to produce horses from the very beginning teaches you so much and can really set you apart as a rider.
It also provides an extra personal feeling when you achieve good results and success. A great example is when I won the World Cup on our home-bred horse Hallilea—it felt extra special for our entire team.
What challenges have been the hardest along the way—mentally or physically?
Even though it is a physical sport, I believe the hardest part is the mental side. As a rider, you have more tough periods than you have successes. It can be at competitions, if one of your top horses is sold or injured, or just keeping the business running.
But that also makes the good times and the success feel even better.
In the winter of 2024, you won the World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg on Hallilea, ahead of two of the world's best riders. What do you remember most clearly from that day?
What I remember most is that it was a very emotional and special day for everyone involved in that success.
On that day, it was the horse and me performing—but all the hard work behind the scenes is just as important.
What does a really good week look like in terms of training, competition, and recovery?
For me, a good week is when all the hard work and dedication put in during the week is rewarded at the competition with good rounds and results - and when both the horses and I come home in good condition.
Which daily routines make the biggest difference to your performance?
First and foremost, Relivo in the morning. Relivo gives me the boost I need to start the day right, and energy over a long period.
Then, creating a clear plan for what my horses need that day to ensure they feel their best.
What are you training or building towards right now?
In the short term, it's about developing the talented horses I have to the highest level.
In the long term, the plan is to consistently be at the top level, and to always have new talented horses on the way up.
Why did you want to partner with Relivo, and how does it help you?
As riders and grooms, we do everything in our power to ensure the horse feels and performs at its best.
That is exactly what Relivo does for me.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop as a show jumper?
Work hard, be patient, learn from others - and let Relivo keep you in balance.
Lars's routine in brief
- Morning: Relivo to start the day and get energy that lasts over time
- Planning: a clear daily plan for each horse's needs
- Short-term focus: develop current horses to the highest level
- Long-term focus: consistent top-level performance with new talent coming up
- Biggest challenge: the mental aspect - more setbacks than successes
