As Johan Sebastian Gulliksen and his father, Geir Gulliksen, prepare for Aachen from 18 to 23 July, their connection with Noviun Surfaces goes back much further than the competition itself.
It is a relationship built through friendship, experience and a shared belief in the importance of the footing beneath the horse.
For Geir, the connection with Noviun began through his long-standing friendship with Dan. Over the years, that friendship developed into a shared philosophy about horse welfare, performance and the role that high-quality equestrian arena surfaces play in everyday training.
Noviun is also partnered with Geir’s GCL team, bringing together two organisations that share the same approach to footing. For both, the comfort, movement and long-term wellbeing of the horse are central to the choice of riding surfaces.
It Started with Ben Maher
Geir’s experience with Noviun began when he first rode on an arena used by Ben Maher in the UK, where Noviun Fibre had been installed.
The experience made a lasting impression.
Geir noticed how comfortably the horses moved across the footing and, particularly when jumping, how naturally they released from the ground. For a rider competing at the highest level, the feel and consistency of riding surfaces can make a real difference to everyday training.
“Ever since I first rode on Noviun, I firmly believed that riding on it gives the horses that extra mileage. The footing is comfortable to ride on, the horses roll off when jumping and they don’t feel stuck in the ground. This means less stress on their joints and, most importantly, helps to prevent injury. That is very important in our sport.”
For Geir, this was more than simply finding a surface he liked to ride on. He saw the potential for Noviun Fibre to become part of his horses’ everyday preparation and a long-term choice for their riding surfaces.
Bringing Noviun Home to Chestnut Farms
After experiencing the surface himself, Geir decided that he wanted his family and horses to have access to Noviun at home.
The indoor arena at Chestnut Farms in Belgium was installed with Noviun, giving Geir, Johan and the family the opportunity to train on the surface throughout the year.
For a professional show jumping family, the training environment matters. Having consistent riding surfaces at home means the horses can become familiar with the footing and develop their confidence on a surface they know well.
Geir wanted that consistency to be part of the family’s daily routine, particularly when preparing horses for the biggest competitions in the world. The choice of riding surfaces was therefore closely connected to the family’s wider approach to training and horse welfare.
“I wanted us to be able to train on Noviun at home and for my family and the horses to experience the comfort of the surface throughout the year. When you are preparing for the biggest shows, you want to give your horses the best conditions possible.”
Natural Fibre, Not Synthetic Footing
One of the key differences between Noviun and many other equestrian arena surfaces is the use of natural fibre.
Noviun does not produce synthetic arena surfaces. Noviun’s technology is based on natural fibres that are incorporated into sand to create a structured and comfortable riding surface.
The fibre is designed to work with the sand, helping provide stability, grip, impact absorption and consistency under the horse.
For riders considering different horse riding surfaces, this offers an alternative to synthetic fibre, rubber and plastic-based footing.
The focus is on natural materials and creating riding surfaces that support the horse’s movement rather than restricting it.
Footing That Supports the Horse
For Geir, the choice of footing is closely connected to horse welfare.
Show jumping places significant physical demands on horses. Take-off, landing, turning and acceleration all require the horse to interact with the ground in a controlled and confident way.
Geir believes that comfortable riding surfaces can help reduce unnecessary stress on the horse, particularly through the joints.
“The horses roll off the ground when they jump and they don’t feel stuck in the footing. That is something I really appreciate about Noviun. We ask a lot from these horses, so anything we can do to make their training more comfortable and help protect them is important.”
This belief is one of the reasons Noviun has become part of the Gulliksen family’s everyday training environment and their approach to choosing riding surfaces.
Choosing the Right Riding Surfaces
For riders and facility owners researching arena surface suppliers, there are many factors to consider before choosing a footing.
The existing sand, arena base, drainage, climate, discipline and level of use all play a role in determining which surface is appropriate.
Noviun Fibre is designed to be incorporated into sand, allowing riders to improve an existing arena without necessarily replacing the entire footing.
This makes it an option for riders looking for a natural fibre solution for their equestrian arena surfaces, whether they are developing a new arena or improving an existing one. It also gives riders another option when comparing riding surfaces for professional training and competition preparation.
The same natural fibre technology can be used in both indoor and outdoor training environments, giving riders the opportunity to create a familiar feel across different arenas and maintain consistency in their riding surfaces.
From Chestnut Farms to Aachen
The Gulliksen family’s relationship with Noviun has developed over many years, from Geir’s first experience on Ben Maher’s arena to installing Noviun at Chestnut Farms and continuing the relationship through his GCL team.
Now, Johan and Geir are preparing to head to Aachen for the World Equestrian Games.
They will be joined by fellow Noviun riders Ben Maher and Harry Charles, representing Great Britain. It creates a strong connection between four international riders who have chosen Noviun surfaces and share a focus on the importance of quality riding surfaces.
For Noviun, following Johan and Geir to Aachen is a proud moment in a relationship that started with a friendship and developed through real riding experience.
The Gulliksens have chosen Noviun because they believe in the feel of the footing, the comfort it provides and the way their horses respond to it.
As they prepare for one of the most important events in the sport, that preparation continues at home at Chestnut Farms, where natural fibre footing is already part of their everyday training.
For Geir, the philosophy remains simple.
“We want our horses to be comfortable, we want them to stay healthy and we want to give them the best possible preparation. The footing is a big part of that.”