February 22, 2025 
At the heart of every CSI5* grand prix partnership lies a mutual understanding.
In a game of millimeters and nanoseconds, understanding one another’s methods, preferences, and every move is the difference between a major victory and a completely different outcome.
Fortunately for Swedish Olympic gold medalist Malin Baryard-Johnsson, she has developed an in-depth understanding of her rather difficult longtime partner H&M Indiana. Together the pair’s honors include team silver at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018, team gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, and team gold at the World Championships at Herning in 2022.
They’re also one of the only pairs to capture two consecutive wins in the CSI5* CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix.
But Baryard-Johnsson didn’t always have it figured out with “Indie.”
“She is the best horse I ever had and probably will ever have,” she said of the now 17-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “Maybe also the most difficult horse I ever had, and hopefully ever will have.”
Their partnership has been nearly 10 years in the making, with five 1.60m Grand Prix wins and over €3 million in earnings along the way (Jumpr stats). But Baryard-Johnsson wasn’t sure early on that they’d end up with such an illustrious career together.
“I have always felt that Indie has a huge capability, even during the most difficult years with her,” she said. “However, I started to doubt my ability. I’m small, skinny, and I don’t ride with strength, so it’s all about the cooperation with the horses and to get them to understand me. It was hard to find a way for her to understand me and it was also very difficult to understand her. It’s taken a huge amount of patience and thinking to get our partnership to where it is today.”
The entire crowd at Al Shaqab cheered on their win, knowing they were watching a pair with a world-class resume and a one-of-a-kind connection.
“Indie is the strangest horse I have, but at the same time the kindest horse,” Baryard-Johnsson went on. “There is nothing bad in her. Even when things go wrong, and I don’t understand her at all, she never gets upset. She always wants to do well, even if she sometimes doesn’t want to do it the right way. She has a huge heart but sometimes just thinks differently.”
Their close bond led them to one of 14 clear efforts in Saturday’s Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar. They had a late draw, and they put in all they could, knowing well that the short course had some tight related distances, so it required a mix of speed and balancing between fences. It was a calculated ride, and it paid off.
They edged out Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, who was just off the time aboard Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof for second place. Italian Emanuele Gaudiano ended up third with Chalou’s Love PS.
“It’s incredible,” Baryard-Johnsson said of her second win in as many years in this class. “Big credit to my horse who was so very quick at crucial moments today. Both me and my horse love being here and I hope we keep coming back and having a good show. I am super happy and thanks everyone for supporting.”
Jump to the 6:54 mark to watch their winning round.
