Luisa Zissman
The entrepreneur, 2013 The Apprentice runner-up, mum-ofthree and podcast host talks about taxidermy, bucking broncos and riding around the world
Have you always loved horses?
Pretty much, although my parents weren’t horsey. I went to a small school opposite an equestrian centre, and as part of our activities they’d take us riding. I had lessons from when I was about four until I got my first share, at 13. The first horse I owned was Bailey, who was part-arab, part-welsh. I got him when he was about six and I was 15. I had him for 16 years, until he had to be put to sleep in 2019 because of arthritis.
How many horses do you have?
Seven! A few of them are my kids’ ponies: Haggis the Shetland, Earl the Welsh section A and Champ, a 14.2hh Connemara. I recently bought a five-year-old called Drummer; hopefully he’ll be good for my kids once he’s been trained. I also have Queenie, a Thoroughbred mare. She raced but wasn’t great, so she’s going to retrain for polo. Then there’s Carmello, who’s a PRE — he’s just about to go out and start competing. And finally there’s Curioso, a Lusitano who is currently training at grand prix and competing at inter II dressage. He’ll probably go grand prix next year, and I’ll retire him after that.
Do you ride with your children?
Yes, they all enjoy it. I have three daughters — Dixie is 11, Indigo is four and Clementine is three. Out of the three, Dixie probably loves it the most. She might affiliate next year for eventing and jumping. She’s just started playing polo, which she loves too.
Do you enjoy competing, or just ride for fun?
I like the fast stuff — polo and racing especially. I did the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood in 2019, which was fun, although physically demanding. I love hacking as well, I think it’s so underrated. I have an amazing rider, Amanda Petts, who competes the boys for me. I might do a couple of dressage to music pieces at the end of this year, if I find the time to write a floorplan.
How do you fit horses and riding in with your work?
I don’t have a traditional 9-to-5; I can do a lot of my work as and when I want. We record the podcast twice a week, but it’s like having a catch up with a friend so doesn’t really feel like work. The horses are on full livery — I don’t have time to muck out seven horses every day. We’re moving house next year so we can have the horses at home and do more with them. I love doing the stable duties and mucking out, and I want the kids to be involved with that side of things.
What inspired you to start your own podcast?
I started Luanna The Podcast with Anna Williamson in 2018. After I had my last baby, I went on Anna’s other podcast about parenting. We had good chemistry and
“I used to go to a bar that had a bucking bronco, which I held the record on. I credit my not falling off to that”
thought why not give it a shot — three years on we’re still going strong. We’ve got into the top 20 comedy podcasts and top 10 of all the podcasts, which is flattering. We’re going on tour next year; I can’t wait.
You had your horse Madrono preserved by a taxidermist — what made you do it?
Some people thought it was weird! Madrono was a PRE, and I bought him in Spain when I was 25. He was such a dream come true for me. He was a bit like a dog — you could lie with him in the stable, the kids could bath him. For a stallion he was just amazing, and I wanted to preserve that. They’ve done a good job of making him look like him; they’ve even put his scars and whorls in the same place. I’m happy I did it, although I know it’s not to everyone’s taste.
When was your most recent fall?
I have a very sticky bum — touch wood, I don’t really fall off. My last proper fall was in 2017; I was airlifted to hospital and I’d broken my tibia and fibula. But before that I hadn’t fallen off since I was 17. I used to go to a bar that had a bucking bronco, which I held the record on. I credit my not falling off to that.
Where’s your favourite place you’ve ridden?
I have a thing that every country I visit I have to ride a horse, so I’ve ridden all over. One of my favourites was galloping through the desert in Dubai, it was liberating. On my bucket list is an African horse safari, and riding in Egypt.