In the latest episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, British dressage legend Carl Hester reflects on his recent success at the 2025 European dressage Championships, where he helped Britain secure a team silver medal riding his 15-year-old stallion, Fame. Carl credits a simplified training approach—focusing on relaxation and reducing intense schooling during the winter—as key to Fame’s newfound consistency and calmness in competition. Despite challenges with Fame’s neck carriage, Carl describes the horse as the most fun he’s ever ridden, appreciating his stamina and spirit even if he lacks the ideal conformation.
Looking ahead, Carl’s future plans remain uncertain. Although the original plan was to finish competing with Fame this year, offers from other horses have emerged, and Carl is contemplating his next steps amid personal reflections following recent losses. While he may scale back running his yard, his passion for riding endures. Regardless of whether he returns to major championships, Carl’s influence on British dressage as a rider and trainer remains significant, marking the recent European Championships as a potential swan song on the international stage.
