Bli kjent med teamet bak Rider In Balance

Team RIB

The Rider In Balance team consists of professionals with expertise in equestrian biomechanics, veterinary medicine, technology, education and business development. Together we work to develop solutions, courses and digital tools that provide trainers, riding schools and organizations with a research-based system for rider development, with the goal of better performance, structured education and increased horse welfare.

Maria Terese Engell

DVM, PhD, Founder of Rider in Balance

Maria Terese grew up with a ballet studio in her parents' home in Kjelsås and practiced ballet actively for 20 years before starting her veterinary studies. She completed her veterinary education at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest and made history when she completed a PhD on the interaction between horse and rider. Her career includes positions as an equine practitioner at Bjerke Dyrehospital and the Veterinary School, as well as research positions at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

While working at Bjerke, Maria Terese encountered several horses with diffuse issues and lameness, where veterinary examinations often failed to identify clear causes. However, the owners reported problems while riding, which they believed were due to discomfort in the horse. This led to a focus on the overall interaction between horse and rider. By correcting the rider’s position and improving the interaction, it became easier to assess whether the issues during riding were related to the rider or the horse.

Maria's research combines veterinary medicine and human postural control and has set a new standard in the field. Today, she is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on balance and rhythm between horse and rider.

Maria Terese now runs her own veterinary clinic in Finnskogen, Norway. Through Rider In Balance, she works to promote the health, welfare, and performance of both riders and horses. She has collaborated with top athletes in various disciplines and contributes valuable insights to improve riding technique and optimize the interaction between horse and rider. Maria Terese is also a recognized researcher and is currently involved in a research project in collaboration with NMBU and SLU. The project investigates how different types of rider training affect performance. In 2023, Maria Terese participated in the research project Hind Limb Lameness in Horses – Why is it So Difficult to Detect, and How Can We Improve?, which won the award for Equine Research Project of the Year. The project is led by Nils Ivar Dolvik at NMBU and Elin Hernlund at SLU, with the latter also being part of the research team at Rider In Balance.

Lars Lund-Roland

Chairman of the board

Lars Lund-Roland is Chairman of the Board at Rider In Balance and an experienced leader from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with a background as CEO and Managing Director of MSD Norway. He possesses solid expertise in business development, strategy, and commercialization, and works to develop companies with a clear direction, strong execution, and long-term value creation.

Erlend Aas

CFO

Erlend Aas is CFO at Rider In Balance with solid experience in finance, controlling, and consulting. He has a background as CFO/Financial Controller at Fynd Reality and Senior Advisor at SpareBank 1 ForretningsPartner. With experience in asset management and risk management, he has a strong analytical approach and works to use finance as a tool for sustainable growth and sound decision-making.

Anna Byström

Technical Director

Anna Byström is a veterinarian and researcher focusing on horse-rider interaction at SLU, in addition to her role as Technical Director at Rider In Balance. She has worked closely with Maria Terese for many years and is a central part of the research team.

Siri Kløw Arntzen

Marketing Coordinator

Siri Kløw Arntzen works with campaigns, content production, and follow-up of sales and marketing activities at Rider In Balance. She has experience in sales and marketing in the industry, as well as a background in the school sector and education in special education. She contributes to strengthening the pedagogical quality of the work and has been part of the RIB team since 2022.

Anna Nordlund Wiger

Logistics and Sales Coordinator

Anna Nordlund Wiger is responsible for e-commerce, as well as planning and executing courses, clinics, and webinars at Rider In Balance. She has worked closely with Maria Terese since 2016, both at the horse clinic and at Kalneset, and has acquired solid expertise in RIB's field.