Life lessons Dressage rider Louise Bell talks about trusting your gut
The grand prix dressage rider on trusting your gut, her obsessive nature and an incredible working hunter who could have turned his hoof to any discipline
“None of us can be perfect; I train to be the best version of myself ”
ILIVE by the ethos that you must consider a horse’s fitness and overall health before you can contemplate their training. It is so important, no matter what discipline, that your horse is healthy and fit for purpose. Even though I now compete in dressage I still use my eventing background and similar rules for fitness work.
Another, more lighthearted, tip that I live by has stuck with me since I was training with Ted and Liz Edgar. One day I was washing my horse, Rocky IV, and I started with his legs, as I always did. Ted came up to me and told me that “water runs downhill so always start at the top”. It was a “duh” moment but I’ll never forget it.
Liz was my equestrian idol for the first part of my life. Her style and manner of riding was outstanding. She was a queen. Now, I would say Isabell Werth is up there. Her riding ability and showmanship are unrivalled.
Carl Hester is also an incredible horseman. Both are true legends of the sport.
GETTING IN THE ZONE
THE one thing I always do on competition day is give myself the last hour before my test to be alone and get in the zone. I get changed, visualise the test and focus on the job. When I’m about to get on my horse, I do their leg stretches – always. It’s a ritual, and something I must do myself.
Before I go into the arena I take a good deep breath for my own relaxation and I give my horse a big pat to aid theirs. I am totally focused at this point, no matter what. I always try to smile, too. A lot of people think I look very relaxed and chilled out when I’m in the arena, but it’s actually my way of focusing and it works for me.
I wish I’d known when I was 16 that it’s OK to trust my gut. Don’t allow yourself to be swayed by others. My instinct could have saved me a lot of sad times in my life, and it certainly has made my judgement of people clearer as I have got older.
My parents always told me that if you want something in life you must work for it. I left home at 16 and that was the time I started to work for what I wanted. I’ve abided by this ever since.
Many people do things very differently in horses. They’ve had different experiences and consequently won’t do things the same way as you do. Horses teach you what can happen even when you haven’t planned for something. I will always offer advice if I think it could benefit someone. I think some would consider me overly helpful, but there is a reason for this; it’s probably happened to me! Learn from my mistakes so you don’t make the same ones.
I’m extremely particular with everything when it comes to my horses, though I still try to let them just be horses whenever possible. My management is all about care and ensuring that they want for absolutely nothing. Ultimately, they are my partners and I couldn’t do it without them.
In terms of my riding, dressage is the art of perfection and none of us can ever be 100%. With this in mind, I train to be the best version of myself that I can be. Every day is a school day; I’m not sure who first said this but they are totally right.
“HE WAS SIMPLY THE BEST”
I’VE been blessed with many wonderful horses during my careers, but I would choose the great Out Of Sight to have back in my yard. While he was an incredible working hunter, he would also have been an amazing grand prix horse or even an eventer.
He was simply the best and had the heart of a lion. He could have been great at whatever he turned his hoof to and was the greatest horse I’ve been lucky enough to ride.