[London, UK – 22.05.2026] – Horse & Country (H&C), the leading international equestrian sports network, has today announced it will deliver what is believed to be the first global broadcast of a multi-discipline bridleless equestrian competition, streaming the inaugural British Bridleless Competition in its entirety on H&C+ on 31 May 2026 from Merrist Wood College, Surrey.
Founded by horsemanship trainer Mia Rodley of The Heart of Horsemanship, the British Bridleless Competition introduces a bold new format to the UK calendar – bringing together pre-approved horse and rider partnerships to compete without a bridle across dressage and showjumping classes up to 1.30m, alongside an evening demonstration from Rodley with the same theme.
While bridleless riding has gained visibility internationally – including established competitions in Europe – this marks the first time a structured event of this scale and scope will be broadcast in full to a global audience, positioning it as a significant step forward in how this form of horsemanship is shared and understood.
At its core, the format shifts focus toward the fundamentals of riding. Without reliance on rein contact, competitors must demonstrate clarity through seat, balance, voice and body language – placing communication and trust at the centre of performance. All combinations are required to undergo a rigorous pre-event vetting process, ensuring welfare, safety and genuine partnership remain paramount.
Mia Rodley’s work in this space has already attracted a rapidly growing audience online, with bridleless riding content across her social platforms reaching wide engagement and helping to bring this style of horsemanship into the mainstream conversation.
Mia Rodley, Founder of the British Bridleless Competition, said:
“This competition has been a long time in the making. It’s about showing what’s possible when we prioritise connection, communication and understanding. Bridleless riding asks different questions of both horse and rider – it strips things back and focuses on the quality of the partnership. To have Horse & Country bring this to a global audience is incredibly exciting, because it allows more people to see and understand what’s behind it.”
The event will also be open to the public, with spectator tickets available from £5, offering a unique opportunity to experience this emerging discipline in person and gain insight into the preparation, training and trust behind each partnership.
H&C’s live coverage will capture the full breadth of the competition – from dressage tests and showjumping rounds to behind-the-scenes storytelling – culminating in the evening demonstration, which will provide further context and education around the discipline.
Jonathan Rippon, Director of Content at Horse & Country, said:
“Horse & Country has always aimed to be at the forefront of equestrian storytelling, and this represents a genuine step forward in how we present the sport. While bridleless riding is not new, bringing a competition of this scale to a global audience in a fully produced, multi-discipline format is something we believe is a first. It places the relationship between horse and rider front and centre – and that’s a story worth telling.”
The British Bridleless Competition will be available to stream live and on-demand exclusively on H&C+.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Event: British Bridleless Competition
- Date: 31 May 2026
- Location: Merrist Wood College, Surrey, UK
- Streaming platform: H&C+ (www.horseandcountry.tv)
- Disciplines: Dressage and Showjumping (up to 1.30m)
- Additional content: Evening demonstration by Mia Rodley
- Spectator tickets: From £5 via official event website:
www.britishbridlelesscompetition.co.uk
- All horse/rider combinations are pre-approved to meet welfare and safety standards ● Mia Rodley is a specialist in liberty and bridleless horsemanship and founder of The Heart of Horsemanship, which focuses on training through trust, communication and ethical practice
About Horse & Country
Horse & Country (H&C) is the leading international equestrian sports network, offering live coverage, highlights, and exclusive original programming from the world of equestrian sport. Its streaming service, H&C+, is available to subscribers worldwide via web, mobile, and connected TV platforms. Annual membership of H&C+ costs just £84.99, with the option of a monthly recurring subscription at £14.99. Learn more at www.horseandcountry.tv.
About Mia Rodley & The Heart of Horsemanship
Mia Rodley is a UK-based horsemanship trainer and founder of The Heart of Horsemanship, an approach centred on building trust-led partnerships between horse and rider. Her work focuses on developing clear communication through feel, timing and understanding, with an emphasis on ethical, horse-first training practices.
Through clinics, education and widely shared digital content, Mia has built a growing audience around her practical, relationship-led approach. Her work often explores liberty and bridleless riding as a way of refining communication – highlighting what’s possible when partnership, trust and understanding are placed at the centre of performance.
Learn more about Mia’s work here: www.theheartofhorsemanship.co.uk
Media Enquiries:
- Horse & Country: press@horseandcountry.tv
- The Heart of Horsemanship: info@theheartofhorsemanship.co.uk
Photo credit: PDJ Photography