Matt Harnacke is one of the most well-known riding influencers in the world, a successful
model, and a professional dressage rider. Matt was born in Italy and at the age of ten he
moved to Australia, where he lived for ten years. He then decided to move once more, this
time to the Netherlands, where he currently resides. From a young age, Matt always loved
animals. His parents had family friends in Italy who owned a riding school, and during
one visit, while his parents were occupied with ‘boring adult talk,’ they booked him a
riding lesson. Matt was hooked from that day on.
Well-known from Matt’s Instagram pictures is the stallion Emporio, the horse that Matt
spent years training, taking him from a young, green horse to a partner ready for competi
tion. Together they competed at the PSG and freestyle levels at the Iberian Championships
in the Netherlands, winning both the PSG and the freestyle. It was a very emotional and
proud moment for Matt to have brought a three-year-old horse up to that level.
What about Equestrian Stockholm is special to you?
I have worked with Equestrian Stockholm for seven years and the reasons why I love
working with them so much is that they give me creative freedom in terms of making
my own collections, they are a very initiative brand that always have refreshing designs
coming up with exciting concepts. They have a very open mind to the future.
What is your goals for the future?
I want to practice some cross-country with my new hunting horse so we’re ready for the
season, and continue developing my young horses carefully and correctly. I focus on con
nection and softness, because that brings power and strength, while stress and pressure do not. Positive reinforcement is the best way for horses to learn and grow.
