As the son of showjumping veteran Geir Gulliksen, his son Johan Sebastian was almost born in a stable. Naturally, his interest in equestrian sports was awakened early on. However, his passion for sports wasn’t confined to the equestrian arena alone. “I was more interested in football and skiing back then, but at one point, I had to make a decision, and I chose riding,” he says. Last June, the showjumping Norwegian took third place in the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Paris.
One of the prejudices against show jumping is that it is an expensive sport. Johann Sebastian Gulliksen agrees, but it can also be a rewarding sport. Third place in Paris last June earned him half a million kroner (USD 45.500).
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Having competed in just his sixth Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, 28 -year-old Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen couldn’t hide the emotion from his face as he spoke exclusively to GCTV. He explained, “I’m just so, so happy. This for me is just a dream, because I’ve been watching on TV for many, many years. I’m so lucky to be a part of the Scandinavian Vikings and get the opportunity to do these classes and really step up on the level of the Longines Global Champions Tour.”
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Traditionally, the Champions Tour Grand Prix is nestled at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. This year, however, it was moved to the picturesque Bagatelle plain. A decision dictated by the Olympic spirit, with the Olympic Games on the horizon. But this temporary relocation offered a unique opportunity to enjoy the equestrian spectacle in a bucolic setting at the gates of the Bois de Boulogne.
The Norwegian Equestrian Federation, established in 1915, represents nine disciplines within the equestrian sport: jumping, dressage, driving, endurance, events, mounted games, para equestrian, voltage and Icelandic horses. The federation is a part of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) which is an umbrella organization which organizes all national sports federations in Norway.
The Showjumping Norwegian, written by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): Johan Sebastian Gulliksen and his horse 8Yo Lolita © Stallgullik