A New Era for Equestrian Sport? Inside the UK’s First Bridleless Competition

2026-06-19

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What happens when you completely rethink what a competition can look like? This week on Shut Up and Ride, we’re diving into history as we chat with Mia Rodley, the founder of the UK's first ever bridleless competition at Merrist Wood in the UK. Simon is missing this one (he’s off on a hen do!), but stepping into the co-host seat is the wonderful, brilliant, and ever-handsome Ben Atkinson — and together we get into the story behind this groundbreaking event. Mia shares what it took to bring the competition to life, the challenges of creat...

What happens when you completely rethink what a competition can look like?

This week on Shut Up and Ride, we’re diving into history as we chat with Mia Rodley, the founder of the UK's first ever bridleless competition at Merrist Wood in the UK.

Simon is missing this one (he’s off on a hen do!), but stepping into the co-host seat is the wonderful, brilliant, and ever-handsome Ben Atkinson — and together we get into the story behind this groundbreaking event.

Mia shares what it took to bring the competition to life, the challenges of creating something that had never been done before, how the day actually unfolded, and what this moment could mean for horses, riders, and the future of equestrian sport around the world.

We also get to know Mia’s incredible journey and career, the passion behind her vision, and why this isn’t just about removing equipment — it’s about asking bigger questions about trust, communication, partnership, and what’s possible when we put the horse first.

A super fun episode with some huge conversations. You don’t want to miss this one

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