What’s it like living in the countryside?
– It’s wonderful to live out here in the countryside, surrounded by animals and peace. We have our own horses, a dog, and chickens that give us fresh eggs.
Pernilla’s daily life is both active and varied. As a supervisor at TEAB Construction, she spends most of her time outdoors working on road and fiber projects.
– I’m used to working in all kinds of weather, so my clothes need to handle both rain and mud, she explains.
Besides her busy work life, Pernilla dedicates much of her time to her biggest passion: horses. Her love for horses has been with her since childhood.
– I started at a riding school as a kid, and it became more serious as the years went by, she says.
During high school, she attended Bollerup Agricultural School, where animals and nature were the main focus, and her interest in horses took on a new dimension.
– We had a lot on the schedule related to horses, and that’s where I discovered carriage driving. I was instantly hooked because I had a knack and talent for it.
Carriage driving, Pernilla explains, is a discipline where the horse is driven in front of a carriage, competing in three different events: dressage, precision, and cross-country.
– Dressage is strict and focuses on getting the horse to move correctly, while precision involves navigating between cones without knocking them over, all within a set time. But cross-country is definitely the most fun – it includes water obstacles, bridges, and narrow passages that challenge both the horse and the driver, Pernilla explains.
I sportkörning körs hästen framför en vagn och tävlar i olika grenar: dressyr, precision och terräng.
The investments in the sport are significant, from competition carriages to trucks, but Pernilla has always prioritized competing, even though prize money is rare. Only international competitions offer monetary prizes, and even those are modest.
– It’s a passion that comes at a cost, but it’s worth every penny, she says.
Given the physical and demanding nature of carriage driving, the right clothing is essential and plays a big part in the sport.
– Sometimes, things get really muddy, so having waterproof gear that holds up is crucial.
Pernilla discovered Farmerrain through a high school friend, Sofie. She continues:
– We reconnected, and I got to try their rainwear. I absolutely fell in love with the quality and the lovely baby pink color, which became our team color. I use Farmerrain’s clothing both for competitions and in the stables at home – they’ve truly become my go-to.
All the photos were taken by the photographer Ulla Elm.
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