Is it time to change your equestrian sport?
The great thing with horses is that you can constantly reinvent and refocus. There are plenty of top-level riders who have taken a U-turn. We asked some of them why they changed sport and what their advice is for others.
Bumble Thomas
Eventer-turned-showjumper
Why she switched: “I wasn’t keen on the way the sport was heading, with the short format and technical fences. A nasty fall at Tweseldown confirmed I was gradually becoming more cautious.”
Advice to others: “Ask yourself what you really enjoy doing and what might fit in with your lifestyle. I always enjoyed the technical aspect of showjumping and I thought, ‘It’s now or never’.”
Antonia Brown
Eventer-turned-dressage rider
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Why she switched: “It was the day I thought I’d gone flat out around a novice course and found out I had 15 time-penalties. That’s when I realised I needed a new game.”
Advice to others: “Go to a few top competitions in other disciplines as a spectator. It really can inspire you. I remember watching the national dressage championships at Stoneleigh several years ago and thinking, ‘This is where I want to be’.”
Polly Gundry
Eventer-turned-jockey
Why she switched: “I’m a very competitive person and my lack of ability in the dressage frustrated me. I wanted to be winning.”
Advice to others: “Try as many different activities as you can. I have found myself playing a bit of polo recently — something I never imaged I’d get involved with. You need to be open-minded.”
Matt Hicks
Eventer-turned-dressage rider
Why he switched: “Once I reached three-star level, I knew I didn’t really have the guts to kick on any faster across country. The horses I was riding at the time were good on the flat and I enjoyed dressage, so I decided to give it a go.”
Advice to others: “If you’re a competitive person, focus on what you’re good at, because that will make your riding much more enjoyable.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
