In a beautiful area of southern Sweden is the old community of Flyinge, an internationally known center of horse breeding, sport, education, and research. Today Flyinge [FLEE-ing-yuh] is best known for the development of one of the world’s most popular horse breeds.

Flyinge is one of the oldest National Studs in the world still in operation. As early as the 12^th century, the Danish archbishops held a heavily fortified stronghold with a mounted troop at Flyinge. Following the peace treaty at Roskilde in 1658, the Swedish king Carl X Gustaf ordered a royal stud to be established at Flyinge.

Centuries of skillful management and competent work resulted in the creation of the Swedish Warmblood. Since then, this breed has won international acclaim and has enjoyed great success in all equestrian events, especially dressage, achieving great distinction in the Olympic Games year after year.

The Swedish government handed over responsibility for the National Stud to a private foundation in 1983. The aim of the now well established foundation is to carry on Flyinge’s programs for Swedish Warmblood breeding, education, sports and research. In doing so, the foundation wishes to continue developing this famous cultural institution for all horse enthusiasts for generations to come.

Flyinge’s program for transported fresh semen and quality tested frozen semen makes it possible to combine breeding and competition in a successful way. This made it possible for the four approved Flyinge stallions to take part in the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996: Flyinge Amiral, Flyinge Strauss, Flyinge Robin Z, and Flyinge Bobby. With this new technology Flyinge is pleased to offer breeders all over the world the services of some of their best stallions via the use of frozen semen. Before frozen semen is released from Flyinge, it has passed rigorous laboratory tests and it has also been fertility-tested. The Swedish Horse-breeding Association demands that at least 40 percent of 20 mares, tested with frozen semen from one specific stallion, have to be in foal after 90 days. Flyinge’s standards for frozen semen from their stallions are even more rigorous. Flyinge says that at least 50 percent of 20 mares, inseminated with frozen semen from a Flyinge Stallion, have to give birth to a foal in order to approve the stallion for their Frozen Semen Program. Flyinge is proud to be able to give this quality guarantee to the breeders who choose one of their stallions for their breeding programs.

The Swedish University of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences offers a two-year course at Flyinge for students training to become riding instructors, trainers, or stable managers. World-famous riders like Kyra Kyrklund, Peter Eriksson and Jan Jönsson, train horses and students at Flyinge.

Three very influential riders have perhaps done the most to raise the international standing of the Swedish Warmblood horse as well as the world’s recognition of today’s Swedish riders and horses. Here follow brief sketches of their careers. One thing these riders have in common is that they all have been head trainers at Flyinge National Stud.