Robin Naeve to ride for Sweden

A surprise conversation with Swedish legend Peder Fredricson changed everything for 27-year-old German rider Robin Naeve. After an impressive performance at the Gothenburg World Cup in February—where he jumped six clear rounds—Fredricson approached Naeve with a question: “You’re Swedish too, right? Would you consider riding for Sweden?”

The offer didn’t come out of the blue. Naeve, born to a Swedish mother and German father, holds dual citizenship and spent five years living in Sweden. After a promising start to 2024 and a standout performance at the VR Classics in Neumünster, he spontaneously aimed for Gothenburg—and it paid off.

Following a meeting with Swedish team coach Henrik Ankarcrona, Naeve decided to switch his sporting nationality. He’ll be eligible to represent Sweden in Nations Cups starting in 2026. "Sweden has great top riders, but they’re looking to build more depth in the team," said Naeve. "It felt like a real opportunity."

His father, Nations Cup rider Jörg Naeve, is fully supportive—even if they can’t compete on the same team anymore. “We’ve always been competitive anyway,” he joked, recalling a 2023 jump-off in Al Ain where Robin took the win.

Based at their family yard in Bovenau, northern Germany, the Naeves run a successful sport horse business, combining training, breeding, and trading—often in collaboration with major names like Thomas Fuchs and Nayel Nassar. With the Swedish chapter now beginning, Robin Naeve’s international journey is gaining momentum.