Kyra Kyrklund and Jan Jönsson appointed Professors of Equitation in Sweden
14 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Kyra Kyrklund and Jan Jönsson appointed Professors of Equitation in Sweden
UPPSALA, Sweden, April 6–Two of Scandinavia’s most admired equestrians have been named adjunct professors at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences with headquarters in Uppsala.
Former Dressage World Cup Champion Kyra Kyrklund and eventing Olympic medalist Jan Jönsson will be adjunct professors of equitation.
The University runs a three-year equine studies program with courses at the National Stud at Flyinge, The National Equestrian Centre at Strömsholm and at Wången, a centre for harness racing in northern Sweden.
Kyra Kyrklund was previously chief dressage trainer at Flyinge, before moving to Great Britain in 1998.
She will be professor of equitation (dressage) and Jan Jönsson professor of equitation (training of young horses, coaching and leadership). Both appointments are part-time.
The Equine studies program at SLU was extended from two to a three-year bachelor program in 2010. The expansion brought on suggestions to appoint two trainers of international renown.
”The recruitment of Kyra Kyrklund and Jan Jönsson to the University is a fantastic opportunity to boost equestrian sport in Sweden,” said Professor Jan Philipsson, the university’s professor of genetics. “The appointments also ensure a continued high level of the Equine Science program”, he adds.
Kyra Kyrklund and Jan Jönsson will coach and support the equine studies program teachers in equitation at Flyinge and Strömsholm. They will also hold clinics for teachers and students plus initiate and participate in scientific research involving equitation and riding at SLU.
Kyra, president of the International Dressage Trainers Club, was a silver medalist with Matador in the 1990 World Equestrian Games and World Cup Champion with the same horse in 1991.
