About Cool Ridings

Our ambition

It begins with a dream, then commitment and self belief must follow. Riders in our community strive to represent developing nations and we aim to ensure that no hurdle is too large to overcome.
Community for underrepresented riders is vital to enhance sense of belonging for all. Training with like minded people whilst celebrating and supporting one another allows everyone to thrive.
Contacts and knowledge can be inherited in the equestrian world so we bridge the gap. The ultimate goal is for riders to realise podium potential which requires enormous support and will leave a lasting legacy.

Our people.

Founder, Lydia Heywood

Cool Ridings stems from Lydia’s experiences within equestrian sports and her passion for increasing representation together with tackling inequalities from the ground up to create an inclusive sport.

Learn more about Lydia

Our partners.

Forward-thinking brands.

Together we can uplift riders from under represented backgrounds. Distributing opportunities whilst aligning with brands and partners is an effective way to ensure everyone can see themselves in equestrian sport.

Get to know our members

A Parent’s Pespective

My daughter Maddie found out about Cool Ridings via social media, and later watched a friend become a member before she did. What immediately stood out was the sense of inclusion and belonging amongst these equestrians, who on the whole hadn't even met at this stage. The shared experience and connection between them, even at that early stage, was incredible. Since becoming a member, Maddie has a new found confidence in herself and her riding - and I wholeheartedly credit it to Cool Ridings. She has gone from having only one riding friend she could truly identify with, to a whole community. The highlight of her Cool Ridings experience so far, was definitely the XC Catch up Clinic. It was another hugely inspiring moment for my child, watching some of the older members, and seeing what could be achieved with hard work. The inspiration she receives from talking to, and watching the journey of, fellow equestrians from minority groups is second to none. The opportunity to meet, chat and ride with the other members and their families is wonderful. It was also fabulous to see the relationship that Cool Ridings has built with top brands such as Charles Owen, Lemieux, Shires and many more. This is a huge step in the right direction for the commercial equine industry. We cannot wait to continue our Cool Ridings journey, and are so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful organisation. With the backing and support of each other, I honestly feel the sky is the limit for all of its members.

-Hannah Caunt
My son Rupert has always loved riding and being around horses. Whilst he has been lucky enough to attend a school with an equestrian department and rode on the school teams his peers were being difficult. Always a happy, competitive team player as he rose through the ranks but I noticed a certain quietening. Discovering Lydia Heywood and Cool Ridings was a gamechanger and quickly became a focus to him. Rupert loves the catch ups and clinics that Cool Ridings arrange! The Community all come together and it’s very refreshing to talk all about their trials and tribulations as riders and congratulate each other on their successes. The Members are all ages, all levels, all disciplines and it’s so nice to have a community that resonate with each other. Rupert is lucky enough to live not so far from Lydia and as they share a love of the same sport they can train and be there for each other which is really special. Cool Ridings is growing all of the time and with Lydia working hard to create amazing sessions like a day with the British Eventing and The Howden Way along with catch ups at The Royal Agricultural University where the BBC filming took place creating a day to remember. As a parent I have made some lovely friends as a part of the group. We are both so happy to be part of Cool Ridings and thank Lydia for her amazing work. We look forward to sharing many more journeys in the future.

-Katie Hyde