Oscar Williams
Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the magazine’s dressage editor and sports manager, overseeing coverage of equestrian sport.
Raised in Lancashire, Oscar started riding aged 12 and quickly became hooked. A keen member of the Lancaster & District branch of the Pony Club, he learnt to ride on a succession of hand-me-down ponies before persuading his parents to buy him his own horse – a wholly unsuitable but much-loved Welsh section C.
Oscar went on to study equine science at Myerscough College and, after deciding jumping wasn’t his strong suit, turned to dressage. Inspired by the London 2012 Olympics, he later spent four years working for leading trainer Emile Faurie. During that time, he competed at the 2015 National Dressage Championships and travelled with the yard to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achleiten.
He also holds a master’s degree in Literature from York St John University (2021), combining his equestrian background with a passion for writing about the sport.
He regularly reports on elite dressage, breeding and welfare issues, as well as the science and policy shaping modern equestrian sport.
Oscar now lives in Cumbria with his two boisterous spaniels, Miffy and Dougal, and is interested in making equestrian sport more inclusive and accessible.
-
‘Finding something normal again’: Laura Scott on returning to the saddle and rising through the para dressage ranksIt’s been a big year for the rider – and it’s looking good for 2026, too
By Oscar Williams Published
-
The moments, medals and horses that defined the 2025 dressage seasonThere’s lots to celebrate this year, including a few surprises we really didn’t see coming...
By Oscar Williams Published
-
‘I’m too deep into it now to quit’: Rob Barker on ambition, belief and building towards grand prixDressage editor Oscar Williams says Rob is one to watch next year
By Oscar Williams Published
-
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb unwrap brand new festive freestyle to finish second at London InternationalBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Glamourdale Airlines takes off: ‘It might have been one of the best tests he’s ever done’By Oscar Williams Published
-
How to ride the perfect centre line, with tips from Olympic medallist Laura TomlinsonBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Relive the night Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin rewrote dressage history at OlympiaHere’s how they did it
By Oscar Williams Published
-
Valegro and Uthopia’s unremarkable beginnings on their way to stardomBy Oscar Williams Published
-
‘I didn’t want to be boxed in as the influencer’: Harrison Ashton on the leap of faith that made him a British team medallistBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Best wellies for men: for walking, yard work and casual wearChosen by a horse owner who knows his mud
By Oscar Williams Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin to return to London showdown: star-studded World Cup field revealedBy Oscar Williams Published
-
9 smart double bridles you can order todayBy Oscar Williams Published
-
‘He’s still improving’: European champions go two for two at Lyon World CupBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Can dressage win back its spectators? The struggle to keep fans engaged with the sportBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Unstoppable Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus dance to personal best at World Cup qualifier in LyonBy Oscar Williams Published
-
427 eliminations, 84 welfare-related: British Dressage reveals first welfare statistics and outlines next steps for changeBy Oscar Williams Published
-
The best short dressage girths for horses at every levelBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Who is Charlotte Dujardin’s latest grand prix star? Everything you need to knowBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin makes a winning international comeback with new rideBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Are you wearing enough hi-vis? What every rider needs to know before hitting the roadBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Becky Moody’s latest star wows the judges with a Wednesday-inspired dressage freestyle to claim HOYS Future Elite titleBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Meet Harvey: the £200 part-bred Appaloosa who danced his way from prelim to grand prix – and made his rider’s dreams come trueBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Why in-hand work could be the missing piece in your dressage training: four simple exercises to build your horse’s strength, suppleness and focusBy Oscar Williams Published
-
Train your native pony to ‘steal the show’ in the dressage ring with these 4 exercises, expert tips and polework patternsIncredibly trainable, our native breeds have plenty going for them on the dressage stage. In this article exclusively for H&H subscribers, experts give their tips for training native ponies so that the “judges cannot ignore them”, creating a picture of ease, lift and ground cover. We discover their secrets – plus exercises to put the theories into practice
By Oscar Williams Published
