Peter Ingves leaves the cold: “Ordered with all papers”
Published 2026-01-12 08.30
The coachman Peter Ingves, 65, has not sat in the sulky since 2024.
Now he is moving to the United States for three months. To the trotting trainer and friend Reijo Liljendahl.
– I have promised to help, but it is like a holiday, says Ingves.
65-year-old professional driver Peter Ingves, who has won both the Derby and the Criterium, among other things, has struggled with several difficulties in recent years.
As early as 2021, the mental strain became too heavy and he was forced into a timeout.
Afterwards, Peter made a comeback on the track, but 1.5 years ago he left Sweden and moved home to the small Finnish town of Kristinestad.
“Was a hard time”
Where he worked, among other things, as a forest cutter, found himself mentally and took care of his mother, who had recently passed away.
– It was a difficult time. I fed her the last few months and it was only thought that she would fall asleep. It’s the same for everyone but it dragged on and took a toll on me. But I’m glad that I did that thing, that I left Sweden. I had missed her so much in my life, he tells Trav365.
How are you?
– I feel very well, am in good shape and enjoy myself very well in Finland with a lot of friends I haven’t seen in many years. It was a hard time and I couldn’t lie then. I felt bad, but now I feel great.
“Come to the heat”
Last Sunday, Peter set out on a great adventure. He is going to visit his friend, the trotting trainer Reijo Liljendahl, in Florida, USA, something like the trade magazine Sulkysport reported on.
– It’s like a holiday. I have promised to help a little in the business. But first I want to get to the heat. I have known Reijo for a long time and have driven horses for him before, continues Ingves.
How did it happen?
– Reijo called me and asked how I was doing. I said I’m actually quite well. Then he said I should come to him in Florida this winter. And live there, I get my own accommodation. The plan is for me to be there for three months. It will be interesting to see how they do there, no strings attached. Reijo wanted me to experience the United States and we are getting old.
– Reijo said if I want to drive some horses, it will be fine. And I will certainly do that there in the heat. We’re going to watch the NHL when the Florida Panthers play. I will meet a lot of people there. Among others, Åke Svanstedt and Lucas Wallin are there.
“There is no desire”
Peter Ingves is looking forward to the great American adventure.
– I have nothing in Finland to keep me going now that mother has passed away. No ladies to think about. My boy is doing well in Norway. So I thought while I’m feeling good: “Just stick,” he says and continues:
– No one knows what will happen in the future. You take one day at a time. It’s a bit of a hassle with visas and stuff like that. It is easier in our countries. In any case, I have arranged all the papers and can be there for 90 days now.
Will there be a coach comeback in the near future?
– Now that it’s this cold, there’s no desire. But you never know until spring. To be honest, many people ask, including here in Finland. I have not promised anything. Now I have started here in Finland and found myself.
– I have learned one thing in life. You should never say no to anything. And now I’m off to the USA, haha.
Do you have any contact with your former coach colleagues in Sweden?
– Full speed. They have control over me, more control over me than I have myself.
