Showjumping is about so much more than those few minutes in the ring; every clear round encompasses the unique partnership between horse and rider, built on years of training, the horse’s trust in the rider’s split-second decision making, meticulous care, and sacrifices from not only the rider but the grooms, owners and support team. Historically, showjumping has been particularly difficult to film behind the scenes of, but subscription services like H&C+ are for the first time giving fans unprecedented access to the riders, horses and stories that take place away from the competition arena.
The best showjumping series to watch
Released earlier this year, Big Star: The Nick Skelton Story is a showjumping movie that provides never-before-scene insight into the rise, fall, and remarkable comeback of British showjumper Nick Skelton and his horse of a lifetime, Big Star. This story is one of passion, perseverance and an incredible partnership, documenting a comeback that defied all the odds following injury. A connection like that shared between Skelton and Big Star comes around once in a lifetime if you’re lucky, and exclusive insight into its development is inspiring viewing for any rider, whether hacking at the weekend or competing on the international stage. This movie can be purchased via H&C+ for £4.99; no subscription required.
If you’re looking to get inspired by watching how the best showjumpers in the world prepare for competition, you’ll enjoy FAULTLESS, a brand new six-part showjumping documentary that follows 14 top-ranked riders, including Richard Vogel, Steve Guerdat, Martin Fuchs and Sophie Hinners, through the biggest events of the 2025 season. What does it take to prepare for a showjumping competition? Do top international showjumpers get nervous? Find out the secrets of this fast-paced, high-pressured world with this equestrian series. Episode 1 is free to watch on H&C+.
Also new this summer is interview-led two-part series UNBRIDLED, delving into the development of one of the world’s biggest showjumping venues, Spruce Meadows, the athletes that compete there, and the drama of show days. See the sport from another perspective, as we find out what went into building this 500-acre facility, that, despite scepticism at the time, has come to be a centre of international showjumping today. Episode 1 is free to watch on H&C+.
What you’ll learn from watching behind the scenes
Whether you aspire to compete for your country or just develop your partnership with your horse, watching equestrian documentaries can help you to understand the connection between horse and rider, get tips for the care of your own horse, and learn new training tips, not to mention bringing a whole new perspective to equestrian competition, whether watching or taking part yourself.
There’s a lot to be learnt from how the professionals train young horses, step up a level, and handle the competition of show days from walking the course to warming up.
Where to watch behind the scenes showjumping
An equestrian streaming service like Horse & Country‘s H&C+ will give you access to hundreds of hours of equestrian documentaries, training masterclasses and exclusive interviews on a 7-day free trial. You can also live stream showjumping from all over the world. Plans start from £7.08 per month.