Alessandra Volpi: Inside the Rise of Team USA’s Next Generation
Today’s episode comes to you from Rotterdam, during the third leg of the Longines League of Nations™, where we had the chance to sit down with someone whose name has been echoing louder and louder across this circuit.If you watched the World Cup Finals in Basel this year, or have been following Team USA’s journey across Europe, you already know who we’re talking about: the incredibly talented and wonderfully down-to-earth—Alessandra Volpi.From discovering horses in the English countryside as a child, to navigating the California and East Coast circuits, to studying at Stanford all while still chasing the big dream in the jumper ring—her journey has always been driven by heart.What sets Alessandra apart is not just her talent in the ring, but her mindset. She has this remarkable ability to stay grounded, to find confidence, to embrace the learning process (even when it’s a bit messy) and to put her horses first, always. Combine that with a sharp, analytical mind and you see someone who approaches the sport with thoughtfulness, strategy, and insight ! It’s this quiet strength, intelligence, and authenticity that have made her standout ! In this conversation, you’ll hear about the teachers (two-legged and four-legged) who helped her reach the top level. You’ll hear how she navigated setbacks, her story with her incredible mare Gipsy, and manages pressure in a sport where expectations can feel overwhelming. Alessandra also gives us a glimpse into the American showjumping world, a perspective Europeans are always curious about.She is thoughtful, warm, incredibly candid, and so inspiring. We loved getting to know the person behind the red Team USA coat, and we’re sure you will too. So settle in and enjoy meeting Alessandra Volpi.
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Lara Tryba: Bloodlines, Belief, and the Long Game
We’re taking you to La Baule, where we sat down with one of France’s most grounded and quietly determined young riders — Lara Tryba.Lara grew up surrounded by horses on her family’s breeding farm in the north of France, and from a very young age, hard work and horsemanship were part of her DNA. After years balancing studies, work, and riding, she made a bold decision — to go all in on her dream and move to Belgium, where she now trains under Marlon Zanotelli as part of the Ashford Training Program.What stands out about Lara is her calm confidence and her deep love for the process — whether she’s pairing mares and stallions back home, or building her partnership with her horses in the big arenas. She’s a true believer that “slow and steady is what makes you last the longest.”We talked about everything — from her My Lord and Diamant bloodline obsession, to what it’s really like training in one of the sport’s most admire & family-oriented stables, and how she’s embracing the long game of building a career in top sport.Lara is thoughtful, humble, and incredibly driven — a perfect example of the new wave of French riders shaping the future of showjumping. We loved every minute of this conversation, and we can’t wait for you to get to know Lara Tryba.
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Andres Vereecke: Belgian Roots, Family Bonds, and the Business of Showjumping
Today’s episode is a special one, as it’s among the very last we recorded during our time at the Sunshine Tour earlier this year, and it brings this incredible series to an end. We had the chance to sit down with Belgian rider Andres Vereecke, someone whose name you might already know: he’s the son of the renowned show jumper Koen Vereecke, but whose story is very much his own.In our conversation, Andres opens up about the unique balance of running a business while competing at the highest level, the challenges and rewards of working so closely with his family, and the lessons he’s taken from sport and business. At Beyond the Stables what matters is to get to know the person behind the rider and what shines through is his passion and dedication for the sport: qualities that translated into a great conversation! Let's dive in!
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Jess Hewlett: From a £300 Pony to Team GB, Always Finding the Good in Every Horse
We recorded this episode at the Sunshine Tour earlier this year, with a guest who is now a member of Team Great Britain. But you might have known her from before (maybe from her YouTube channel) and followed her journey from the very beginning with her crazy ponies. If you’re like me, you’ve been rooting for her way before her showjumping success. You guessed it: we had the absolute pleasure of spending some time with Jess Hewlett.Jess is now representing her country around the world, but her journey wasn’t easy or straightforward. She built everything from scratch. She didn’t come from a horsey family, bought her first ponies with all her savings, and look at her today.One thing that stands out about Jess is how she always finds the good in a horse and makes it work, no matter what. She knows how to seize every opportunity and turn it into success. It’s her hard work and dedication that brought her to where she is now.Jess has built a community, and today inspires the equestrian world. But as you know, here on Beyond the Stables, we’re all about getting to know the person behind the athlete ,and she is genuine, warm, real and so much fun! We had an amazing time chatting with her, and now it’s your turn to get to know Jessica Hewlett!
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Molly Hughes Bravo: Portuguese pride, Irish heart, and HHS talent
Today’s episode was recorded back in February at the Sunshine Tour, and to keep those sunny vibes going, we’re bringing you a brilliant young rider flying the flag for Portugal.She rides for Portugal, but with her deep Irish roots, she’s equally at home in Kilkenny. Today we are bringing you the incredibly talented Molly Hughes Bravo. Growing up surrounded by horses in her family’s Hughes Horse Stud, Molly has lived and breathed this sport from day one. She’s already made her mark in ponies, and now she’s working with a determination that’s impossible to ignore.In this episode, you’ll hear about her journey, her unique Irish-Portuguese identity in the sport, and the family that shaped her. Most importantly, you’ll get to know Molly as the bright, hardworking, and warm person she is - someone we know deserves to be in the spotlight.Trust us, you don’t want to miss this conversation !
Welcome to Beyond The Stables! The multilingual podcast that bridges the gap to Showjumping's NextGen. We are Olivia and Alysée, a dynamic duo hailing from diverse corners of the globe – Cuba, Germany, Spain and Mauritius. Embark on a journey with us as we delve into the extraordinary lives of young riders with big dreams. Our exclusive insights, captivating interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories will transport you into the heart of the equestrian world. Where we bring you the thrilling highs, the challenging lows, and the unwavering passion that define our sport.
South Africa