In our latest episode of "The Horse Business," hosted by Marie Marks, we had the pleasure of speaking with Yazmin Pinchen, an accomplished equestrian who shared her inspiring journey through the highs and lows of the sport. From her early days in Pony Club to competing on the global stage, Yazmin's story is one of passion, resilience, and the balancing act of motherhood and sport.
A Lifelong Passion for Horses
Yazmin’s love for horses started early, influenced by her parents who were both involved in equestrian activities. By the age of 13, she was already competing internationally, representing her country at the Children on Horses Europeans. Her career trajectory continued upward as she competed in Junior and Senior Nations Cups and participated in world-renowned events like the Global Champions Tour. Reflecting on these experiences, Yazmin acknowledged how fortunate she was to travel and compete at such a high level, often unaware at the time of how rare and valuable these opportunities were.
The Impact of Motherhood
The arrival of Yazmin’s first son, Harry, five years ago marked a turning point in her career. As any parent knows, motherhood is a full-time job, and for Yazmin, it meant temporarily stepping back from the sport she loves. With the birth of her second child just four months ago, Yazmin has chosen to focus on her family, fully aware that her passion for horses will lead her back to the sport when the time is right.
Despite the challenges, Yazmin sees this time away as an opportunity to reset and recharge. She emphasized the importance of taking a step back to gain perspective, especially in a demanding field like equestrian sports where the competition can be all-consuming.
The Realities of the Equestrian World
Yazmin also touched on the often-overlooked emotional and financial realities of the sport. The bond between a rider and their horse is deeply personal, making the loss of a horse, whether through sale or death, particularly heartbreaking. For children, especially, these losses can be difficult to understand and cope with.
On the financial side, Yazmin candidly discussed the challenges of sustaining a career in equestrian sports. The costs associated with training, competing, and maintaining horses are significant, and finding investors or sponsors is increasingly difficult. She pointed out the growing gap between those who can afford to participate at the top levels and those who cannot, a disparity that she fears may eventually impact the future of the sport.
Lessons from the Journey
Yazmin’s journey is a testament to the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to keep learning. She has learned valuable lessons from each stage of her career, from her time training in Belgium to her experiences with top-level competitions. Her advice to young riders is to seek out diverse experiences, learn from the best in the field, and never stop improving.
For Yazmin, the dream of competing at the Olympics remains alive, fueled by her desire to show her children that with passion and hard work, anything is possible. She is determined to return to the sport when the time is right, bringing with her not just experience, but a renewed sense of purpose.
Looking Ahead
As Yazmin continues to focus on her family, she is also nurturing her breeding program, with the hopes of producing top-quality horses for future competitions. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, reminding us that success in the equestrian world, as in life, is about more than just winning—it’s about passion, persistence, and the love of the sport.
We’re excited to see when Yazmin’s journey will take her next, and we’re sure there are many more victories to come.