Tom Holley is a dressage rider and trainer, based in Berkshire. Originally from the Isle of Wight, the thirty-one-year-old goes back there each month to train riders and visit family and friends
Tom says “Horses have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started riding at the age of five and became the youngest rider at my riding school to be allowed off the lead rein after just six months because I threw a full tantrum Because they wouldn’t let the six-year-old ride by himself. Long story short mum signed a form to protect the riding school’s insurance and I was off riding alone shortly after!”.
That early passion grew into a career spanning over eleven years in the equestrian industry, where Tom has worked with three Olympic riders such as Emile Faurie, Andrew Gould and trained under renowned coach Pammy Hutton. He gained valuable training from backing horses to riding and training the higher-level movements. Tom describes his days off as “being spent mostly sat with Pammy all day, just taking everything in. She would always say haven’t you got anything else planned today? And I would always say “yeh…. This!”
Tom spent two years at Talland School of Equitation, earning his AI qualification and completing part of his Stage 4 training. After stepping away from horses for a couple of years to focus on personal wellbeing, he moved into hospitality before finding a new passion in the fitness industry. Over the last two years, Tom qualified as a gym instructor, teaching a variety of classes while training to become both an aqua and Pilates instructor. He says “Looking ahead, I’m excited to combine my experience in fitness and Pilates with my lifelong equestrian background to help both riders and horses perform at their best.”
Who is your current ride?
Assagart vision- I’ve been riding Ruby for around six or seven months now, and our partnership started quite unexpectedly. It actually began when I was giving her owner, Grace, a lesson. Not long after, during our second lesson together, Grace asked if I would sit on Ruby.
The funny thing is that I absolutely hated her at first. It wasn’t until the second time Grace convinced me to get back on that something suddenly clicked, and I started to see the horse she could become.
Ruby has probably been one of the trickiest horses I’ve ever had to train and ride. She is a huge character with a very strong personality, but the last three months, in particular, have been incredibly important for us. She has come on so much in a relatively short space of time. From not really knowing any dressage movements, she has progressed from being quite novice to working at Advanced Medium level at home within six months. She’s now starting to understand movements such as half pass and is becoming more established in her work.
Most recently, Ruby won her first Elementary test with a score of 68%. There were plenty of exciting moments along the way, but it was a fantastic result and one I’m very proud of. She has already qualified for the Regional Championships at Novice level, and the plan is to qualify at Elementary as well. If everything continues to progress as it has been, I’d love to take her out for her first Advanced Medium later this year.
At home, Grace and I call her “Beyoncé” because she is an absolute diva. It’s very much Ruby’s world, and we’re all just living in it. Because of her personality, we work hard to keep her routine varied. She only schools a maximum of three times a week and loves hacking, cantering, and getting out and about. Her pre-show preparation often includes a jump session, as keeping her mind fresh is key. If she does too much of the same thing, she quickly becomes sour. We are so lucky that the Barge farm equestrian where Ruby is stabled has such a great variety of hacking, great facility’s and grazing for miles which is such an important part. If Ruby could talk, she would say “grass is life”. And extra strong mints!
I’m incredibly grateful to Grace for giving me the opportunity to ride and train Ruby. She also enjoys taking her away for weekends, low-level eventing, and other activities, which all contribute to Ruby’s varied lifestyle. That balance suits her perfectly and has played a huge role in her development.
Looking ahead, the goal is to continue building on everything we’ve achieved so far and, hopefully, by the end of next year, unlock that final bit of potential that we know is there.
Who do you train with?
It has been great training with Rob Waine, both a dressage rider and judge. Rob has an excellent eye for detail, and it’s been incredibly valuable receiving feedback not only from a Grand Prix rider but also from someone who judges the sport. His insight has helped me refine the finer points of my riding and gain a better understanding of what judges are looking for in the arena.
What do you love about dressage?
What I love most about dressage is the unique partnership that develops between horse and rider. Every horse is an individual, and understanding what makes each one tick is such an important part of the journey.
I also enjoy the process of learning how each one thinks, moves, and communicates. I’ll never forget the day a young horse I was schooling suddenly understood a half-pass I had been working on for weeks — the joy on both our faces was unforgettable. Dressage is a journey of continual improvement, and I find it incredibly rewarding when all the small pieces come together and you feel that harmony and understanding with your horse.
Can you share some of your dressage highlights?
The most memorable moments are often not the rosettes, but those breakthroughs where a horse truly understands what you’re asking and starts to enjoy the work.
I think I’ve been lucky enough to also travel to CDI shows, and that was the biggest drive for me, because I know that’s where I want to be. I still recall the thrill of walking into the arena for my first international class, the atmosphere, the energy, it was unforgettable.
What challenges have you faced?
Horses constantly remind us that progress isn’t always linear. Challenges have taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of adapting my approach to suit the individual horse in front of me.
What is your training philosophy?
My training philosophy is based on building trust, confidence, and correct foundations. I believe in working with the horse, not against them, and creating an environment where they can learn and develop both physically and mentally. Consistency, patience, and attention to the basics are at the heart of everything I do.
I’m also training to be a Pilates instructor as I fully believe that you should be flexible, strong, and aligned with your horse. I remember struggling with my balance on a particularly spirited horse, and Pilates exercises helped me find the core strength I needed. I feel we spend a lot of time with physios and training and getting your horse right, but I think that’s only 50%. I think the other 50% comes from how strong and flexible you are as a rider to really make that partnership when you’re riding.
What do you think horses have taught you?
Horses teach humility every day. They have taught me patience, empathy, discipline, and the importance of being present in the moment. I’ll never forget the first time a young horse mirrored my frustration — it was a humbling lesson in staying calm and focused. They are incredibly honest animals and reflect our emotions and energy, which means there is always something new to learn about both horses and ourselves.
Does training other people help you with your own riding?
Absolutely. Teaching encourages me to analyse movements, training methods, and problem-solving from different perspectives. I remember explaining a tricky lateral movement to a student and realising in the process a small adjustment I had overlooked in my own riding. Often, explaining a concept to someone else deepens my own understanding and makes me a better rider and trainer.
Your Top Tip
Never underestimate the value of the basics. Good fundamentals create the foundation for everything else. Taking the time to get the simple things right will always pay off in the long run and make your horse’s current way of going better.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Listen to the horse in front of you. Every horse is an individual, and while training principles remain the same, the way they learn and respond can be very different. I remember a trainer telling me this after I was frustrated with a stubborn horse, and it completely changed my approach. The best results come when we adapt our approach to suit the horse’s needs. And a praise can speak a thousand words.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Dressage is definitely a team effort. I’m fortunate to have support from my family, friends (horses and non-horsey), vets, physios — you name it! I’ll never forget the time my friend stayed up late to help me braid for a show, or when my physio helped me recover from a minor injury just in time for a competition. But the support, as much as it comes from those people, has to come from you to start. Support provides the fuel, but you have to be the engine that drives it all forward