In a sport often defined by privilege, perfection, and pressure, French show jumper Ines Joly is a refreshing anomaly. She’s not just a rising star in the five-star ranks — she’s a builder, a believer, and above all, a person who has forged her own path through resilience, self-awareness, and an unshakable bond with the horse.
In her candid and charismatic interview on the Horses & Coffee podcast, Ines sat down with host Marie Marks to talk not just about winning Grand Prix classes, but about everything that comes before and after: growing up in a working stable, studying to become a nurse, the emotional weight of success, and the quiet victories no ranking ever captures.
This is not just the story of a talented rider. It’s the story of a woman shaping her own version of greatness.
From Pony Club to Five-Star Podiums
Ines Joly grew up near Lyon, in a family immersed in the horse world. “My parents had a stable,” she recalled, “so I’ve always been riding. It’s been my passion since the days I can remember.” But even with horses at her doorstep, Ines didn’t leap blindly into professional sport. Instead, she chose to balance her equestrian dreams with a commitment to education — ultimately graduating as a nurse.
“Working in the hospital helped me grow a lot,” she shared. “It was the job that I preferred to do outside of horses — being there for people.” But eventually, the calling of the arena became too strong to ignore. After trying to juggle riding with hospital shifts, she made a life-changing decision: take a one-year break and give professional riding her full attention.
That one year turned into three — and counting. Today, she’s a full-time competitor on the Longines Global Champions Tour, and a name to watch in the elite ranks of international show jumping.
Riding the Hard Way — On Purpose
Unlike many of her peers in top-level sport, Ines didn’t arrive at five-star shows on the back of millionaire horses purchased at auction. Instead, she’s built her career around producing talent — in herself and her horses.
“I never had horses that were just ready to turn the key and go,” she explained. “I’ve always had to produce them myself. That’s what I do.” Her current star, Crack de Gery, is a towering, talented gelding with a big heart and equally big stride. “He’s super scopey, careful, and I really believe he will be my best horse soon,” she said.
The two are still getting to know each other, having only been partnered for a few months. But already, they’ve completed a clear round in a 1.55m class in Mexico. “He was ridden before by Simon Delestre,” Ines added. “So I just have to find that little something for us to click on the biggest courses. But I believe in him.”
That belief isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a throughline in her story. Ines invests in horses like she invests in people: slowly, thoughtfully, with conviction.
A Nomadic Life — With Purpose and Rhythm
In 2023, Ines competed for 43 weeks of the year. That kind of travel schedule would grind most people down. But for her, it’s a rhythm she thrives in thanks to teamwork, good music, and a deep connection with her horses and staff.
“At home, I focus more on the young horses, like my seven-year-old Italuca,” she said. “The competition horses get light work beach rides, conditioning. I try to keep them happy. They give so much in the ring, so at home, I don’t bother them too much.”
On the road, her close partnership with her groom Bruno and her traveling team makes everything run smoothly. “It’s like tac tac tac everything is efficient and easy,” she smiled. “We’re really well organized.”
But beyond the shows, Ines values the cultural exposure. “We have this huge opportunity to travel, to meet people, to live in different ways for a few days,” she reflected. “It’s helped me grow, for sure. I used to be shy, but now I’ve become more confident. Because in this job, relationships are everything.”
The Fire That Drives Her
Ines’s competitive spirit is unmistakable. She’s energetic, funny, sometimes stubborn, and always pushing herself. “I hate to give up,” she admitted. “I always think there’s a tiny possibility to do something better, so I go for it. I’ll focus on every little detail to make it work.”
She described herself as “a fighter” someone who brings her full intensity not just to the ring, but to life. “Even when I was younger, I’d go to shows with four or five horses alone. No groom. Just me and my parents. I did it all myself.” That self-sufficiency built a work ethic and humility that still defines her.
It's a mindset born of the French pony club system, where horsemanship is earned through mucking stalls and grooming, not handed over. And it stands in stark contrast to parts of the industry where wealthy juniors ride expensive horses without ever learning to tack up.
“There’s so much talk about welfare now,” she added, “but it starts with understanding your horse. Really knowing them.”
Redefining Success — And Living It
For Ines, winning a five-star Grand Prix in Monaco was a highlight — but not the highlight. “What I’m most proud of is the ability I’ve had to adapt to this level with horses that have never done it before,” she said. “That’s real success to me.”
To her, success isn’t just about rankings. It’s about transformation. It’s the journey of taking a six-year-old from obscurity to international podiums. It’s doing things the hard way, the right way. “There are so many types of success in this sport,” she reflected. “I don’t want to just be successful in one way.”
The Person Behind the Rider
For all her strength, Ines is warm, real, and refreshingly self-deprecating. She doesn’t drink coffee (a surprising confession on a show called Horses and Coffee), and considers her cooking skills a point of pride. “I’m making lasagna tonight,” she laughed. “I’m actually pretty good at cooking.”
She listens to Tate McRae, loves dancing, and believes deeply in the power of visualization before a big class. “I imagine myself doing the course, telling myself the tips my coach would say,” she explained. “It helps. If you can’t see it, you won’t achieve it.”
When asked what she would tell her younger self, her answer was both vulnerable and wise: “Believe in yourself. Stop stressing about the future. It’s going to come.”
The Long Game
Ines Joly’s story is still being written, but already it speaks to something much bigger than medals and prize money. It’s about patience in a world obsessed with speed. It’s about faith in a horse before anyone else sees the potential. It’s about choosing process over prestige, passion over pressure.
And in a sport that can sometimes lose sight of its heart, Ines brings it back every ride, every time.