Polly Bryan
Former dressage, sport horse 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. Her time on Horse & Hound staff finished in October 2023 when she moved to a new job outside the business, although she continues to contribute to Horse & Hound on a freelance basis.
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 2022 World Championships, the 2018 World Equestrian Games, the 2019 and 2017 European 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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‘He feels like he’s going to be a grand prix horse’: James Bond finds his power to win big at the Winter Dressage Championships
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‘I rode a dressage horse and that was it – I was converted’: former showjumper in shock after winning dressage title
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‘It’s important not to forget how far we’ve come’: trio of friends win a title apiece at the Winter Dressage Championships
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Adding this to your horse’s routine could make all the difference this competition season *Promotion*
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‘She’s quite rare’: exceptional mare eclipses her rivals to take PSG title at the Winter Dressage Championships
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Remember this young horse’s name – his Winter Dressage Championships title is just the beginning
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‘It was devastating – I nearly wrote her off’: mare overcomes injury to return to the Winter Dressage Championships
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Meet the traditional gypsy cob found on a river bank who’s heading to the Winter Dressage Championships
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‘I just focus on me and my horses – and ignore the negativity on social media’: Annabella Pidgley on her superstar string
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‘I remembered what it’s all about’: Carl Hester returns to international competition with grand prix win
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World Cup Final field depleted after further shock withdrawals
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‘She trusted me from the very first step’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl posts huge score to claim back-to-back World Cup titles
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How much does it cost to clone a horse? Plus 9 other interesting cloning facts
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World Cup Final title contender withdraws from competition at 11th hour
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Defending champions off to winning start at Dressage World Cup Final – despite ‘expensive hiccups’
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Remarkable vet stories: ‘I was faced with a choice — keep pushing my hand in to try to find the foreign body or don’t wake him up’
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Embryo transfer in horses: how it works and what it costs
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How much does it cost to breed a horse?
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Remarkable vet stories: ‘It’s incredibly rare and goes against everything I’ve experienced’