02/06/2026
On Sunday 31st May, Mia Rodley, founder of the The Heart of Horsemanship did a thing!
Along with an amazing team of individuals, she brought together Britain's very first Bridleless Competition and I had the privilege of photographing some of the action.
Whilst shooting competitions isn't usually my thing, I can honestly say I felt incredibly privileged to be there.
Watching these horse and rider partnerships was inspirational. The hours of work, trust and communication required to compete without a bridle are hard to comprehend, and seeing that relationship in action was something truly special.
But what struck me most wasn't necessarily what happened in the competition itself. It was the fact that, without the distraction of bridles and bits, the horses' personalities seemed to shine through. Each one had its own presence, its own way of interacting with the world, and its own story to tell.
Please don't get me wrong, this was a serious competition. But when things didn't quite go to plan, there was no judgement, no frustration, just smiles and an acceptance that sometimes their horses simply weren't feeling it that day.
That atmosphere alone was wonderful to witness.
So rather than sharing the competition shots here, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite moments from the day.
As I watched some of these horses, I found myself wondering what they'd be like if they were human. We all know the types, the straight-A student, the rocker, the quiet one who has a lot more to say than people realise, or the one who somehow manages to steal the spotlight without even trying.
So here are a few of the personalities I met along the way.
If you were there, see if you recognise some familiar personalities...
