About the Founder

Cool Ridings Founder, Lydia Heywood, has taken steps to demystify the sport by sharing knowledge and embracing equestrians from underrepresented backgrounds. Lydia is an Event Rider that has experienced firsthand how important diversity is for underrepresented riders. Beginning her equestrian journey at a local riding school aged 11 with the support of her late Mother Claire who shared a dream and worked around the clock to keep it alive! Training daily and Show Jumping at national level before committing to Eventing in 2012, Lydia obtained dual nationality and begun representing Jamaica in 2017. This is an achievement she knew would inspire others to venture into a sport where racial diversity is not typically high.

Knowing community is key, Lydia lead sessions at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, a riding centre that makes horses and riding more accessible for young people in inner-city London and was ultimately invited to become a mentor.

The young riders were both delighted and taken aback that she represented Jamaica, a nation many of the riders felt connected to through their cultural heritage. She began to think about how she could take her mentorship further: “How can we forge a path for these talented riders to join me?” she asked. Diversity is lacking enormously and time is of the essence for young riders. “I didn't have all the answers but had to start creating the change required- so I founded Cool Ridings!”