1881 – the town’s first riding hall
Borås’s first riding hall opened in 1881. Riding instructor Hugo Leander did his authoritative best to turn the respected citizens of Borås into riders. The first riding hall was no luxury building, but it served its purpose.
1905–1930 – the club is founded
From 1905 to 1910 the riding hall was run by Borås Ridhusbolag, but it was sold to the town of Borås for SEK 10,000 as interest in riding faded. Borås Fältrittklubb was founded in connection with the sale. The hall was downgraded to a timber store and riding declined until 1930, when Captain Ragnar Stenborg rented the hall and breathed new life into riding. It was especially pleasing to see young people take up the sport.
1949 – the fire
7 July 1949 was a day of mourning for equestrian sport in Borås. A fire at the riding centre on Petersberg cost ten horses their lives. After the fire there were hopes that a new riding hall would quickly be built at Gässlösa, near the planned Blue Star animal hospital. In the meantime the remaining 16 horses were stabled at the I15 regiment.
1954 – the new riding hall at Gässlösa
Spirits were high when the riding enthusiasts of Borås opened the new riding hall at Gässlösa on 6 February 1954. County Governor Richter inaugurated the grand facility and the audience was treated to a quadrille ridden by 18 riders. Captain Karl-Åke Hultberg was the first leaseholder – the stable held 22 horses, mostly hired from the Crown, and a lesson cost SEK 3.50. Each groom looked after ten horses, with thorough grooming and cleaning of the tack part of the job.
1955–1970 – Borås takes the lead
In autumn 1955 Karl-Erik Nilsson took over as head of the riding school and over 15 years developed riding in Borås into a leading position. It was not only the competitive spirit that came alive – at least four hunts were ridden every year and there were rides out every Sunday. In the same era “Gadden” rose through the ranks from groom to club consultant and became a nationally known course designer who built courses at major competitions across the Nordic countries. In summer 1960 the outdoor arena was finished and BFK hosted its first outdoor Swedish Championship.
1970–1990
In 1970 Per Hjertén and Caisa Silfverswärd took over the riding school – Caisa had been an instructor at Uddeholm riding school and Per came from Tranås. They were followed by Pia and Ted Nätterqvist, who stayed for five years and during whose time another arena was built so the club could host better indoor competitions with indoor warm-up. In 1981 Karl-Erik Nilsson returned, now together with his son Christer and Christer’s wife Kicki.
The 1990s – Sweden’s most modern facility
In 1990 the club hired Björn Häggström, who had many ideas about how Sweden’s most modern riding school facility should be run – the club then had more than 1,200 members and the site on Gässlösavägen was getting worn. In September 1990 ground was broken at Osdal’s barn, and in August 1991 the whole operation moved into new premises. The facility was inaugurated with great celebration on 21–22 September 1991; the following year the national federation’s annual meeting was held in Borås, and in 1993 the club hosted the Indoor Swedish Championships. The new facility had big teething problems – it was not until 1999 that the club’s activities truly “filled the suit”.
The 2010s
In 2010 another insulated arena, 66×23 metres, was built, which means the riding school no longer has to close during major competitions. The facility also gained a 100×65-metre outdoor arena and a 60×30-metre warm-up arena. In 2018 BFK had about 600 members, and the club had established itself as one of the country’s biggest competition organisers – with Borås Grand Prix, a competition with more than 25 years behind it, as its annual flagship.
It is a pleasure to note that since 1881 Borås Fältrittklubb has truly grown into a successful riding school and competition organiser – and a fine ambassador for the town of Borås.