KARLSSON Mathilda

General
OLYMPIC QUOTA REINSTATED
She secured a quota spot for Sri Lanka in the individual jumping competition at the 2020 Olympic Games through ranking points obtained at CSI2* competitions held in December 2019 in Villeneuve-Loubet, France. However, her results from the competitions were annulled following an International Equestrian Federation [FEI] investigation, which found that a number of competitions offering points towards Olympic rankings had been added to the schedule in Villeneuve-Loubet after the deadline for definite entries. Along with the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association and Romanian jumper Andrea Herck, she appealed the decision to the FEI Tribunal but the appeal was dismissed in June 2020. She, Herck and the Sri Lankan federation then successfully appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS], which noted in its decision in April 2021 that the FEI had made an error in approving schedule changes submitted by the French Equestrian Federation [FFE], and that the FEI could not annul competitions due to "human error". As a result, her ranking points and Sri Lanka's quota spot for the individual jumping competition at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were reinstated. "A lifetime dream comes true. Sri Lanka and I will compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Thank you for all the people who believed in us and stood by my side." (worldofshowjumping.com, 20 Apr 2021; chronofhorse.com, 20 Apr 2021; horsesport.com, 17 Jun 2020; insidethegames.biz, 21 Apr 2021; CAS, 19 Apr 2021; Instagram profile, 02 May 2021)

STABLE FIRE
In May 2020 a fire broke out at her Gronwohld Hof stables in Germany. Two horses died in the fire, and a building was completely destroyed. "I have to think about it every day, especially when you walk past the burned down building. It will definitely stay that way for a long time. It is important to stay positive because business has to go on. The fire was a terrible experience that I would not wish on anyone. However, despite such a horrible setback, my life is very privileged. All the people close to me are healthy. The other horses are fine. Everything else can be rebuilt." (abendblatt.de, 03 Jun 2020; ndr.de, 16 Jun 2020)

REPRESENTING SRI LANKA
Born in Sri Lanka, she was adopted by Swedish parents at three months old and went on to represent Sweden in international competition. In 2017 she visited Sri Lanka and decided that she would like to compete for the country of her birth. She made her debut for Sri Lanka in 2018. "I was absolutely fascinated [when she visited Sri Lanka in 2017]. It is a truly amazing country. It was not an easy decision, as I was always very happy to be representing Sweden. I will always be Swedish, and a big part of my heart will always belong to Sweden. That is where I grew up, and where I have all my values from. However, I feel very proud and supported representing Sri Lanka. For me, it was the right thing to do." (dailynews.lk, 25 Mar 2021; studforlife.com, 08 Jan 2020; tidningenridsport.se, 26 Jun 2018; globalchampionsleague.com, 01 Jun 2018)

STABLES
She co-owns and manages the Gronwohld Hof equestrian centre in Germany, where she breeds, trains and sells horses alongside her partner Manfred von Allwohrden. (Facebook page, 27 Jan 2020; reiterzeit.de, 29 Jun 2018; noellefloyd.com, 11 Oct 2017)