
Polly Bryan
Dressage and products editor
Polly joined Horse & Hound in August 2014, having previously been deputy editor at Polo Times. She moved up from the role of deputy chief sub editor to take over as dressage, sport horse breeding and products editor in September 2017.
During her time with Horse & Hound, Polly has reported from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – fulfilling a lifelong dream in doing so – as well as the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, the 2019 and 2017 European Dressage and Para Dressage Championships, and the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Her reporting has also taken her to various other major international shows including the World Cup Finals in 2019 and 2022, as well as Aachen and Rotterdam CHIOs. She still has a love for polo, occasionally swapping dressage for a stint of polo reporting, and has also covered international eventing and showjumping, including at the Tokyo Olympics.
While not from a horsey family, Polly has ridden from the age of seven. She competed a huge variety of horses and ponies across all disciplines as she grew up, and worked on several yards. Originally from Devon, Polly was a keen member of the South Devon (West) branch of the Pony Club, going on to instruct for the branch. She has always had a particular love for dressage, following the sport avidly, and aged 14 she announced to her parents and teachers that she wanted to be the dressage editor at Horse & Hound one day.
Polly was captain of the very successful equestrian team at the University of Birmingham — admitting that her degree in English Literature played second fiddle to her riding! After graduating with a 2:1, she moved to London to pursue her career in equestrian journalism, gaining a postgraduate diploma in magazine journalism.
Polly lives in Surrey and while not in a position to own a horse currently, enjoys catch rides whenever possible.
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Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin among Olympic medallists in action in Britain this weekend
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‘A true champion in all ways’: inspirational Olympic dressage horse dies aged 13
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‘He deposited me at Carl Hester’s feet’: Becky Moody on the horse who ‘bottled it up’ but could be an 80% prospect
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‘It beat winning gold at London 2012’: Paralympic medallist Natasha Baker shares details from her stunning wedding day
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Pippa Funnell heads to the US, plus top dressage in Britain and 5 other events to follow this week
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Tactics, tears, and hat-tricks: 8 memorable moments from the 2022 Winter Dressage Championships
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‘I said I would love a Petplan rug but I never expected to win’: Wildcard first-timer takes surprise Area Festival title
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Charlotte Dujardin on her quirky Winter Dressage Championships double winner who can’t be turned out in the field
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Charlotte Dujardin completes a hat-trick, while an exciting horse follows in his famous father’s footsteps
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Tales from Hartpury: Teenager lands a title just one month after appendix surgery
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Tales from Hartpury: ‘He was really poorly – we thought we were going to lose him’
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‘You have to be confident to make those split-second decisions’: Quick thinking by inter I champion leads to hat-trick
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Tense finish as huge class goes right to the wire on day four of the Area Festival Championships
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Tales from Hartpury: Double champion on how animals ‘helped me heal mentally and physically’ after divorce
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‘I only wanted to school her round’: Charlotte Dujardin wins with ‘green’ mare, while 12-year-old fan also claims a title
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Tales from Hartpury: ‘The outlook was grim, but we decided to give him one last chance’
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Tales from Hartpury: ‘My foot was only still attached to my leg thanks to my boot’
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Area Festival Championships: ‘Goey’ chestnut mare produces best test to date to clinch PSG glory
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Winter Dressage Championships: ‘I thought he was dull as a four-year-old – but luckily I failed to sell him’
