Photographed by: Marco Rothenburger
Born in Sri Lanka and adopted by a Swedish family as a baby, Mathilda Karlsson has carved an extraordinary path in the equestrian world. From spending her childhood days in Swedish stables to representing Sri Lanka at the Olympic Games, her journey is a testament to determination, hard work, and an unbreakable bond with horses.
Early Beginnings: A Love Affair with Horses: Growing up in Sweden, Mathilda was naturally drawn to nature and animals. “All my friends were going to the riding school, and I begged my parents to take me too,” she recalls. The moment she set foot in the stable, she knew she had found her calling. “I fell in love with the horses. I would spend all my free time in the stable since that first day—not just because I wanted to ride, but because I loved being around the horses and learning how to communicate and take care of them.” Her passion wasn’t just a childhood phase; it was the foundation of a lifelong commitment. “Every morning when I enter the stable, I feel incredibly blessed and grateful,” she says, reflecting on how far she has come.
Breaking Barriers: Olympic Dreams Realized: Mathilda’s most significant achievement came when she qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, representing Sri Lanka as the country’s first-ever equestrian show jumper. “Many people ask me, ‘How was Tokyo? How was the experience at the Olympic Games?’ It was an amazing experience, but looking back, the qualifying years were so much more exciting,” she shares. The journey to the Olympics was anything but easy. “I was traveling the world with my horses and my team, competing at the biggest shows to collect results and points to earn my individual spot,” she explains. “It was a year full of excitement and unforgettable experiences, but also a lot of sacrifices, pressure, hard work, and a lot of sweat and tears.” This period was transformative for Mathilda. “That experience made me the sportswoman I am today. I now know the value of a very strong team that stands 100% behind you, and that it doesn’t matter where you come from in life—everything is possible.”
Overcoming Challenges: Finding Strength in Adversity: Mathilda doesn’t shy away from discussing the hurdles she’s faced. “There have been so many ups and downs in my career, many of them public failures,” she admits. But rather than dwelling on the negatives, she chooses to focus on her successes. “When things get tough, it’s important to look back and see how far you’ve come and what challenges you’ve overcome.” A forced break from competing became a pivotal moment. “I thought I was done. I didn’t know who I would be or what I would be doing if I wasn’t competing every weekend,” she says. “But in the end, this break made me a better person. I thought I would lose myself, but actually, I ended up finding myself.”
Embracing Identity: From Sri Lanka to Sweden: Being born in Sri Lanka and raised in Sweden presented its own set of challenges and revelations. “Growing up, most of my friends and schoolmates were blonde, tall, and with blue eyes. I was definitely standing out,” she recalls. However, she turned this into a strength. “I learned very early that being different and looking different is not a bad thing—it can be a superpower.” Mathilda credits her parents for fostering this positive outlook. “They never made me feel that the color of my skin was any different. It just made me special, and special is good.”
The Daily Grind: Dedication and Discipline: A typical training day for Mathilda starts before dawn. “I’m a morning person, so I get up between 5:00 and 5:30 am every day. I like to take time to drink tea and coffee in silence before I hit the gym,” she says. Her workout regimen is intense: “I work out 6-7 days a week to stay as strong and fit as possible, to prevent future injuries and boost my performance.” After the gym, she heads to her stable, a 40-minute drive she uses to organize her day. “Once I get to the stable, I always do a stable check. I walk through all my horses to say hello and check up on them,” she explains. Building a strong connection with each horse is crucial. “It’s important to look into their eyes and feel what they feel—if they are in pain, scared, or insecure about something.” Her riding and training sessions can last up to seven hours a day. “Sometimes more,” she adds.
Balancing Act: Personal Life and Philanthropy: “While I’m competing, I don’t have much free time, and the little free time I have I like to spend with family and friends,” Mathilda says. The past year, however, offered her a new perspective. “Taking a step back from competing made me realize there is more out there in the world than just horses and training.”
Her hiatus allowed her to focus on humanitarian efforts. “I’ve always been involved in different organizations and foundations to support education for children all over the world,” she says. Mathilda volunteers with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), engaging in humanitarian work globally. “In my free time, I do a lot of volunteer work for the Red Cross all over the world.”
Guiding Forces: Influences and Mentors: Mathilda acknowledges the role her parents played in shaping her work ethic. “They did a great job raising me, teaching me the importance of hard work,” she says. Interestingly, she also learned from observing those she didn’t want to emulate. “I was shaped from the opposite of role models. When I saw lazy, unhappy, complaining people, I often thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to end up like that. I’m going to be the opposite.'” She believes that challenges define us. “The hard days and the pushbacks are the important parts of life that will define us and, in the end, separate the good from the great ones,” she asserts.
Passions Beyond the Arena: When she’s not training or competing, Mathilda indulges her love for food and travel. “I’m definitely a foodie, but I don’t cook very well,” she laughs. “I enjoy going out for dinner, trying new restaurants, and I really like to travel.” She’s also discovered a new hobby: Padel sport, a mix between tennis and squash. “I also really like to read,” she adds.
Support System: The People Behind Her Success: Mathilda doesn’t believe in luck, attributing her success to hard work and good decisions. However, she feels “blessed” to have met her business partner, Manfred, over 20 years ago. “He had horses and was looking for a rider for them. I was just a groom at that time and had never really competed before, but he saw the love of horses that I had and convinced me to come and work with him—that’s kind of how the fairy tale began,” she shares. Manfred wanted someone who would take time with the horses, not push them too hard or too fast. “When he offered me the job, he said, ‘I want a best friend for my horses, not just a rider for them,'” she recalls.
Her career reached new heights when she met her sponsors and became part of the Global Champions League, the equestrian equivalent of soccer’s Champions League. “That really took me to a different level,” she says. Despite initial doubts, she persevered. “Two years later, in 2019, I managed to qualify for the Olympic Games as the first-ever Sri Lankan equestrian.”
Eyes on the Future: Goals and Aspirations: Mathilda is setting her sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “I have some amazing younger horses coming up that have the potential to maybe become high-level Grand Prix horses and hopefully an Olympic horse,” she says. Producing young horses is her true passion. “That’s what I do best—producing horses,” she explains. Her Olympic horse, Chopin VA, was born at her place and never had any other rider competing him. “I believe good horses are born, but the superstars are being made.”
Global Adventures: Memorable Travels: Traveling is a significant part of Mathilda’s life, both professionally and personally. “Coming back home to Sri Lanka and discovering this incredibly beautiful island more and more is always a highlight for me,” she says. Her recent travels include an unforgettable trip to Greenland and the Arctic. “I hiked along the glacier, cold-plunged in -12 degrees Celsius Arctic Ocean between ice rocks every morning, and got to see some amazing whales,” she recounts. A journey to Peru’s Amazon rainforest also stands out as one of her most exciting adventures.
Words of Wisdom: Advice for Aspiring Equestrians: Mathilda emphasises the importance of spending time with horses beyond just riding. “You need to spend time getting to know the behavior of the horses to learn how to communicate with them without words,” she advises. She encourages young riders to work hard and stay humble. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help and always stay humble but believe in yourself—confidence is everything. Your horse will adapt to your emotions; you better enjoy your ride, and so will they.”
Favorite Places and Competitions : Competing on home ground holds a special place in her heart. “It’s very special for me to compete either in Germany or in Sweden, where my friends and family have a chance to see me perform live,” she says. She also has a fondness for the competition in Mexico City. “For me, it’s one of the most beautiful shows in the world, and the atmosphere is insane,” she exclaims.
Philanthropy: Making a Difference : Mathilda is passionate about education and actively supports causes that promote learning opportunities for children worldwide. “Every child should have the right to go to school and get a proper education, which would solve so many of the problems we face in today’s society,” she insists. She volunteers with organizations like the Red Cross, engaging in missions that, while challenging, are deeply rewarding. “The missions are definitely hard, and you see so much misery and suffering but also so much hope, faith, and enjoyment. I cannot even describe in words how much it gives back to you,” she says.
Fun Facts: The Lighter Side of Mathilda
- Favorite Horse: Chopin VA.
- Dream Vacation Destination: Rwanda, to see the gorillas.
- Most Inspirational Books: All the books by Paulo Coelho.
- Favorite Meal or Cuisine: Tacos and hoppers.
- Hidden Talent: “I can walk really fast.”
She also loves ordering for people at restaurants. “I’m pretty good at remembering what everyone likes and making sure they get exactly what they’ll enjoy. It’s my little way of showing I care—my love language,” she shares.Currently, she’s in the process of getting her diving license and absolutely loves spicy food. “I’m always on the lookout for the spiciest dishes to try,” she says with a smile.
Connecting with Fans: Mathilda values her fans and actively engages with them on social media. “I mostly use Instagram, which is also connected to Facebook, to interact with my fans,” she says. “I’m a very open person, so I really enjoy interacting with all my fans, and I really appreciate all the messages that I get every day.”While she has a team that helps with her social media platforms, she personally reads every single message. “I try to respond as much as my time allows,” she adds.
A Memorable Anecdote : Mathilda’s travels often lead to some unforgettable experiences. “Probably seeing two large elephants casually staying in the middle of a city!” she recalls. “It’s definitely not something you see every day, especially when you live in Germany!”
Her Personal Motto
“Happiness is a choice, and it doesn’t matter where you come from; it’s your own choice to make the best of what you have.”
Team Credits:
Produced by: Face Magazine In-frame: Mathilda Karlsson Publisher: Harshit Hundet, Photographer: Marco Rothenburger , Assistant Photographer: Olga Mirrou , Dirk Seltrecht, Fashion Stylist: Marcel Graul from Blossom management.gmbh ,Key Hair and Makeup artist: Josephine Winter , Makeup Artist: Alena Li Radina Retoucher: Anna Filileeva , Production: MU*SE Hamburg Location: Gestüet Gröwnwohldhof.
