Lily Attwood: Up-and-coming British show jumper with big ambitions

Who is Lily Attwood?

Lily Attwood is an up-and-coming British show jumper who stands out in the international equestrian world for her impressive performances. Growing up in a horse-loving family, she began her career with a pony from a family of show jumpers and showed exceptional talent at an early age. At the age of 14, she took part in the European Championships and continued her career in France under the renowned show jumper Guy Williams. The pressure in equestrian sport is enormous. Lily first had to learn how to deal with it, and it was at a show in Barcelona that she met Stanny Van Paesschen. In the following video, the British rider explains how he helped her deal with the pressure and improve her riding:

Lily Attwood has quickly made a name for herself in the world of show jumping. As one of Britain's most talented young riders, she has impressed on the national and international stage. Her discipline, love of horses and tireless ambition make her an outstanding personality on the equestrian scene. But Lily's path has been marked by challenges, which she has mastered through patience and trust.

Lily Attwood's career

Lily Attwood grew up in a horse-loving family. Although her family had no direct connection to show jumping - her grandmother owned racehorses and a few eventing ponies - Lily showed a remarkable talent from the very beginning. She entered the world of show jumping when she received her first pony from a show jumping family.

At the age of 14, she took part in the European Championships, which marked the beginning of an impressive career. Her talent eventually took her to France, where she trained with the renowned show jumper Guy Williams. In addition to the technical aspects of riding, Williams taught Lily valuable lessons about horse management and how to work with vets and farriers.

The move to Belgium

After three years in France, Lily returned to England, but soon after decided to make a bold move: relocating to Belgium. The logistical challenges post-Brexit and her ambitions to take her career to the next level were key factors in this decision. The new environment in Belgium offers Lily the opportunity to take better care of her horses and meet the demands of the sport.

In Belgium, she now trains with show jumping legend Stanny Van Paesschen, who not only supports her as a trainer, but also as an advisor in her professional development. Lily already felt confirmed that this was the right step during the first intensive training session in Oliva, Spain. The fine-tuning that Stanny carried out significantly improved her performance on the course.

Training with Stanny Van Paesschen

Under the guidance of Stanny Van Paesschen, Lily receives valuable support. Stanny, known for his respected status and relaxed approach, adapts his training methods to Lily's individual needs. Lily appreciates the simple but effective adjustments that refine her riding style and give her a decisive advantage in competition. In the following video, we asked Stanny Van Paesschen how he coaches Lily and how he helps her to stay calm during competitions:

The first intensive training moments in Oliva showed Lily that she was on the right track. Instead of making fundamental changes, Stanny focused on small details that made a big difference. This targeted development took Lily's horsemanship to a new level.

Challenges and mental strength

Despite numerous successes, there were also difficult moments for Lily. Her debut at the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona was particularly challenging. The honor of competing in her first senior championships brought with it considerable pressure, which had a negative impact on her performance. However, this experience taught her the importance of having confidence in herself and not letting doubts get in the way.

Thanks to Stanny's support, Lily was able to learn to regain confidence in her abilities and strengthen herself mentally. These lessons helped her to stay calm and focused even in difficult situations.

Family tradition and the legacy of Waterson Stud

Waterson Stud, the Attwoods' family farm, plays an important role in Lily's riding career. The farm has been in the family for 100 years and originally specialized in breeding racehorses. Lily's grandmother achieved great success with her breeding horses in the 1990s and left a rich legacy of expertise and dedication to horse breeding.

Learn more about the history of Waterson Stud and the role it plays in the lives of the Attwood family today. In the following video, Lily Attwood's mother talks about their breeding program and what it has to do with the old lines of Lily's grandmother's broodmares:

After the death of her mother in 2019, Lily's mother, Emmy, took over the management of the farm and specialized in breeding show jumpers. Emmy kept a special box full of records of the broodmares and their foals from past generations. These traditions and the strong family bond have had a lasting impact on Lily's career, as she sees her family roots and the farm as the foundation of her work in equestrian sport.

The partnership with the horses

The relationship with her horses is of central importance to Lily. The partnership with her mare Ginger in particular has developed over the years. Initially there were difficulties and doubts about Ginger's suitability, but patience and trust led to a close and successful partnership. The serious fall in which Lily broke her collarbone changed her approach. She focused on rebuilding trust with Ginger, which ultimately proved invaluable.

Lily Attwood's successes 

A standout moment in Lily's career was her first major win at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2022 with Horton. This win was particularly emotional as it was Horton's first triumph since 2019 and Lily's first ever HOYS title. Such successes are the result of years of hard work and dedication - both from Lily and her family.

The young horses that Lily's mother Emmy raises at Waterson Stud play an important role in Lily's future plans. The best of them will one day be ridden by Lily in competition, further deepening the close connection between her family, the horses and her career.

Future ambitions

Lily Attwood has clear goals for the coming season, including competing at the European Championships and more appearances at five-star Nations Cups. She dreams of representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games and World Championships and working her way to the top of international show jumping.

Lily is aware that the road to the top is challenging, but her determination and commitment drive her to constantly grow and improve. Even though there are more difficult days than good ones in sport, successful moments are all the more appreciated when you have achieved them through your own efforts.

Conclusion

Lily Attwood is undoubtedly one of the most promising riders of her generation. Her path has been characterized by hard work, challenges and an unshakeable belief in her abilities. With her passion for the sport, her dedication to horses and her constant pursuit of excellence, she will continue on her path to the top of international show jumping. Thanks to her family roots, her talented horses and her tremendous discipline, she has a promising future ahead of her and the equestrian world can look forward to seeing what Lily Attwood will achieve.