The Gulliksens: What It's Really Like Running A Family Business

It is not uncommon for equestrian parents, especially professionals, to lament that they don’t really want their children to ride. Why? They understand the financial and physical hardships of making a career in the equestrian industry. But they also know how rewarding such a career can be and how much responsibility and maturity is gained through growing up in the stables. So parents compromise: “If they want to ride, great, but I’m not going to force them.”

That was Geir Gulliksen’s feelings about his children, Johan-Sebastian and Victoria; the four-time FEI World Equestrian Games competitor was never going to pressure them to ride and compete in the sport that he so passionately loved. And they did have other interests — Johan-Sebastian was a star alpine skier — but eventually they found their way into the show ring and never looked back. Today, the family runs their business together, where they focus on producing young horses through the ranks of show jumping and represent Norway on the international stage.

We caught up with the Gulliksens to learn what it’s really like working with your family members day in and day out.

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Article written by: Leslie Threlkeld