LIHS Ambassador Becky Moody, Cool Ridings Founder Lydia Heywood, Sport in Mind Spokesperson Aysha Naziri and Cool Ridings Participants @LondonInternationalHorseShow/PeterNixon

...WITH LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW, COOL RIDINGS, AND SPORT IN MIND.

London International Horse Show today hosted an inspirational event with Paris Olympic bronze medallist and Show Ambassador Becky Moody, who held two sessions and interviews with diversity in sport organisation Cool Ridings, and the Show’s Official Charity – Sport in Mind

The Show, which takes place from 18 – 22 December 2025, is hosted at Excel London in the heart of the capital’s Docklands, and is home to the highest level of indoor equestrian sport in the UK – including the UK’s three FEI World Cup™ qualifiers in Jumping, Dressage and Driving. As a top-level event, each year the Show aims to partner with organisations that uplift equestrians from all backgrounds and skill levels, recognising that the champions of the future come from a multitude of environments.

Spotlighting diversity and inclusion within equestrianism, Cool Ridings is a community dedicated to supporting riders from underrepresented backgrounds. Founded by event rider Lydia Heywood, who rides under the Jamaican flag, the organisation prides itself on creating community and providing meaningful support to underrepresented riders across all disciplines. Part of this involves seeking out opportunities for Cool Ridings members to throw open the wide range of activities on offer in the equestrian world.

Enter Becky Moody. Moody, who won team bronze on her Olympic debut in Paris 2024 alongside compatriots Carl Hester MBE and Charlotte Fry, provided a once-in-a-lifetime coaching session for Cool Ridings participants – some on their own horses and others using horses kindly provided by Trent Park Equestrian Centre. Demonstrating her hallmark horsemanship and exceptional Dressage craft, Moody shared her insights and experience from producing and competing multiple horses to international Grand Prix level, including her homebred star, Jagerbomb.

Becky Moody coaching Maddie Caunt and Desach Cinderella @LondonInternationalHorseShow/PeterNixon

The current World No.4, Moody made her London International Horse Show debut with Jagerbomb in 2023, achieving personal bests to finish third in both the CDI-W Grand Prix (75.087%) and CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle to Music (83.675%). In 2024, the pair returned to take victory in the CDI-W Grand Prix with a score of 76.696%.

Across the sessions, Moody guided participants through the fundamental elements of a successful Dressage test – with a focus on transitions, rhythm, straightness, and balance. She shared valuable advice with the group while offering personalised insights and improvements for each rider and their horse.

Throughout the day, participants also shared their stories with 2025 Show Charity, Sport in Mind - the UK’s leading mental health sports charity - whose manifesto is the use of physical activity and sport to transform lives and promote mental wellbeing. Sport in Mind provide vital work with the NHS to support, encourage and rehabilitate patents struggling with poor mental health, and in 2025 the charity branched out into the equestrian sector. While Sport In Mind’s participants are often new to the world of horses, today’s session provided its organisers with a fascinating insight into the long-term benefits of equestrianism to mental health, and the strides the equestrian sector is taking in improving diversity, inclusion and welcoming new riders.

Sport in Mind’s Spokesperson, Aysha Naziri, also addressed attendees, highlighting the charity’s work and the transformative benefits of sport for mental health, with a particular focus on how equestrian activity can support emotional wellbeing; “Equestrianism offers a particularly powerful connection between human and animal. Spending time with horses can be incredibly grounding, promoting mindfulness, responsibility, empathy and calm.”

When asked about the day, Lydia Heywood said: “A lot of us have grown up watching the London International Horse Show – so it has been surreal to be invited by the Show to be part of this totally inclusive training day. The Show has gone above and beyond to make a maximum impact on our Cool Ridings community, and it means the world.”

Jayda Everett [18], one of six Cool Ridings participants, was over the moon to have been coached by Moody, and said; “Today was incredible. I don't think I have had that much fun in a flat lesson in ages! Becky is simply fantastic. She has so much experience and knowledge to share, and offered such valuable insight into the sport. I thought the way she was able to adapt her coaching to suit every Cool Ridings participant was amazing.”

Becky Moody, Deanna Francis and Keira Land @LondonInternationalHorseShow/PeterNixon 

peaking about how riding has supported her own mental health, Moody reflected on the importance of speaking openly about mental wellbeing and the impact of charities such as Sport in Mind: “As a sport, riding requires such a dedicated, broad team to support one and other in order to succeed. It is the team that have been so fundamental in supporting my wellbeing and have helped me with the tricky times as well as the good times. Riding has provided me with a sense of purpose, empowering me to keep going and keep improving. As for the horses themselves, when I have had a tough time, I'll go and spend time with them, I’ll go and sit with (Jager)Bomb.”  

London International Horse Show encourages visitors to support Sport in Mind by purchasing tickets for designated charity performances, where a portion of all sales will directly benefit the charity. In addition, Cool Ridings will have the opportunity to connect with Show goers on the Talk Horse Live Zone, to showcase the initiatives work. The Show is proud to help both organisations expand their communities and continue their vital work promoting inclusion and wellbeing through sport.

Becky Moody, Deanna Francis and Keira Land @LondonInternationalHorseShow/PeterNixon