Isabel’s Journey at the National Show Jumping Championships

Congratulations to our learner Isabel, who recently won second place at the National Jumping Championships at Bukit Timah Saddle Club. This remarkable achievement reflects her dedication, skill, and the strong partnership she has built with her horse, Ben. We spoke with Isabel to learn more about her journey as an athlete, the resilience she has shown along the way, and the passion that drives her forward in the sport of show jumping.

Congratulations on your win, Isabel! Could you tell us a bit about the jumping championships at Bukit Timah Saddle Club and what the competition involves?

On day two of NJC (National Jumping Championships), I won first place out of eight riders. This was my first national jumping championships, as prior to that, I was not competing because I didn’t have a horse for it. 

The courses usually consists of 9-10 jumps, and the fastest horse that clears the course without faults wins. For reference, each rail that gets knocked down counts as 4 faults. 

How long have you been horse riding? When did you discover this passion and how long have you been riding for?

I have been riding for about 10 years now, but it’s been on and off. For the past 2-3 years, I’ve been more consistent and have been focusing on getting the best out of my riding experience in Singapore.

I discovered this passion when I was 5 years old. We lived in Sweden, and I would occasionally sit on the horses in my family’s stables. 

The stables were owned by my grandfather, who died before I got to meet him, but he left behind the greatest treasure — the chance for me to carry on his passion. He raced trotter horses, which are more popular in Sweden.  My family jokes that I could be him reborn. I’ve always been a big animal person. 

Working with a horse requires teamwork and is far more than trophies and awards. What I enjoy most is the experience and thrill.  It’s always about teamwork when working with horses. You don’t exchange words, but you still rely on each other. 

I think the most special thing about riding is always the horse before the sport.

The championship took place over two days, and you finished second overall. Can you share what it felt like to have such a strong performance across the competition?

I was in first place overall until the last day of the competition. The last day did not go according to plan, but it is what it is, and I have learned from the experience. 

I was the last rider to take on the course as I was placing 1st overall. I made it into the jump off merely because I had the most faults but still barely enough to get into the next round, so I had to go first in the jump off. 

The judges gave me only 45 seconds to memorise the new course set-up, and knowing my embarrassing history of forgetting courses, this was not exactly ideal. I walked into the course, telling my trainer I had no idea what the course was. Still, I had no choice but to start. 

I jumped the wrong fence during the last jump and got eliminated, leading me to lose my rank and fall to 2nd place. I was disappointed, but still incredibly proud of my horse, Ben, for all the effort he put in for me throughout the weekend. 

Going strong throughout the competition was stressful, but rewarding. It was the biggest accomplishment to win first place on day 1 on the horse who tried his best for me. 

What was going through your mind when they announced the results?

It was the biggest blessing, and I’m so appreciative of the opportunities I have in Singapore, especially considering horse riding is the most expensive sport in the world (apart from F1 racing). I put in as much effort as I could to make the most of the experience. I wasn’t thinking about the win when they announced it, and was just praising my horse.

Horse riding requires a strong partnership between rider and horse. How do you prepare for competitions, and what strategies do you use to stay focused on the day?

It’s quite ironic because I’m actually least stressed once I’m doing the course. I’m not a nervous rider and am very relaxed, which helps to balance my horse’s hot temperament. I do try and hold him back, but he’s a really strong horse.

My horse is very hot tempered, so he tends to run at jumps because he needs that impulsion due to his lack of balance and hind muscle. He is new to competing, so he still often jumps based on his emotions.

Every athlete faces challenges. Have you experienced any difficult moments in your riding journey, and how did you overcome them?

Horse riding is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world, with an average of 710 riders dying each year due to accidents

My horse, Ben, is an “off-the-track racehorse,” meaning he was bred and trained to be a racehorse but is now not an active racehorse because of retirement. He is still very new to competitions, so he will inevitably stumble upon difficult obstacles. I was actually the only rider competing that had an off-the-track racehorse, as everyone else had jumper warmbloods, which are bred for show jumping. 

This is one of the biggest reasons why the Nationals were such a big accomplishment for me as a rider. We put in a lot of hard work with a horse that was never bred to jump. 

Ben is still inexperienced and nervous, but will get there eventually. He has so much potential for the future, and I’m excited to compete more with him, especially for the Jumping World Championships. 

The most rewarding part of competing was knowing the struggles and moving past them. Winning day 2 of Nationals makes me remember why it’s worth it. Ben may not be the fanciest or easiest horse, but when you work with him instead of against him, he will try his best for you. We saw his potential and not his fears, and we worked through them. 

I mean, look at this picture of him with the small jumps, taken after around two months of me training him over jumps. I think you can see my vision!

Show jumping can be both exciting and high-pressure. How do you balance the thrill of competition with the need to stay calm and safe in the arena?

I need to stay calm for the sake of my horse. As he is new to competing and needs time, I don’t push him until he’s ready. I feel calm because I trust myself and I trust him. 

Riding a strong horse who may buck, bolt, refuse, or sometimes rear, is something I have to accept as a rider. I have to be patient and calm him down. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, so there’s no point in stressing, as the horse will sense your emotions as a rider too. Horses have a better sense of smell than dogs and are so emotionally intelligent. The bond between horses and humans is always so special to me. 

I find it crazy how these 700kg animals just let us just ride them (most of the time), and jump over coloured sticks and do all sorts of things for us. 

How has your experience at Nexus, both through sports and the wider community, supported your development as an athlete?

Nexus provides a huge amount of support when it comes to sports. There are lots of opportunities for learners to join various sports. 

As a member of the Nexus volleyball team, I regularly have the opportunity to compete and practice as a player. These experiences are directly transferable to my efforts in showjumping, where I work with my coach and my horse, contributing to teamwork as well. In addition, Nexus places a great deal of emphasis on building resilience, and this is absolutely essential when I compete in tournaments. 

Looking ahead, what are your goals in horse riding? Do you have any upcoming competitions or milestones you are working towards?

I have the Jumping World Championships coming up, which I’m super excited about. My goals are to continue riding and competing in show jumping, and hopefully, work with horses in the future.

Finally, what advice would you give to other Nexus learners who want to pursue a sport or passion at a competitive level?

I will always say do it. I think it is so important to have a sport, and to have something that is mentally stimulating.  

My advice is to do your sport because you love it, not because someone makes you do it. My sports are more than just a passion for me; they are a future. Horse riding is like therapy to me. When I am riding, I forget my problems and clear my mind. It is truly something I treasure, and I wish everyone could find that spark for themselves. 

Sports have taught me discipline and how if I really want something, any of those goals are achievable if I put the effort in. No risk, no reward. 

It takes time and patience. I know how it feels to be demotivated, but learning from my experiences and moving on is the reason I am who I am. Sports have helped me develop my character to be more determined. Everyone will have an opinion of you, but their opinions don’t win games, you do. You are the one putting in your hours, sweat, or sacrifice, so the opinions of others don’t carry weight. 

It doesn’t matter what level of the sport you’re doing, if someone tries to bring you down for something you love and work so hard for, remember that hate is the echo of someone else’s failure; do not let it become yours.

Pursue your passions and just have fun!

At Nexus, we are proud to see our athletes achieving at such outstanding levels across a wide range of sports. Isabel’s success is a testament to the resilience, determination, and passion that we strive to nurture in every learner. From competitive tournaments to community activities, we celebrate the sporting journeys of all our learners and the values they embody.

Discover how Nexus celebrates sporting excellence and nurtures future-ready athletes on our website.