How I Got Back in the Saddle After 20 Years Away

A return to riding, and the unexpected business it inspired

There’s something about horses that gets under your skin. Maybe it’s the rhythm of the ride, the quiet communication, or just the sheer presence of these animals. Whatever it is, it never really leaves you — even when life takes you in a completely different direction.

Like many people, I stopped riding in my early twenties. Career, travel, and the daily grind took over, and horses quietly faded into the background. I always figured I’d get back to it one day — maybe when life slowed down. (Spoiler: it never does.)

The Unexpected Comeback

It wasn’t a grand plan. There was no bucket list moment or big decision. It started with a quiet weekend, a local riding school, and a borrowed horse. The nerves were real. I hadn’t ridden in over two decades, and it showed. But something clicked. A calmness. A familiarity. A reminder of who I used to be — and maybe still was.

That first ride back was clumsy and a little embarrassing. But it was also magic. I kept going. Lessons turned very very quickly buying my own my own horse — Samson and then Steve as i moved and needed a mate for Samson at home, two personalities in hoofed form who now dominate most of my waking hours.

The Frustration That Sparked a Brand

As I settled back into the riding world, something quickly became obvious: men’s riding gear hadn’t moved on. If anything, it had gone backward. Most of the time, men’s options were an afterthought — hidden in the back of the store, limited in choice, and let’s be honest, not exactly stylish.

I could find plenty of options for women: coordinated colours, fitted styles, performance fabrics. But for men? Bland, boxy, and boring.

So I did something I never thought I’d do. I started a clothing brand.

From Corporate Life to the Paddock

Leaving the corporate world wasn’t part of the plan — until it was. Then Gallant Equestrian was born out of both frustration and possibility: the frustration of not being able to find decent, affordable  men’s riding clothes, and the possibility that maybe I wasn’t the only one.

The idea was simple: a small, cohesive range of riding clothes that fit well, looked good, and actually performed. A capsule wardrobe, really. Fewer pieces, done well. Clothes you could wear at the yard, on the horse, or even off-duty without looking like you’d been dragged through the arena backwards.

It turns out there were others like me. Men getting into (or back into) riding, looking for gear that didn’t feel like a compromise. And plenty of women, too, who were tired of seeing the guys in their lives ride in trackies or jeans.

For Anyone Thinking of Coming Back

If you're reading this because you're thinking about riding again, here's what I’ll say: do it. You don’t need to be super fit. You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to start.

It’s never too late, and the joy it brings is real — even on the days when it’s raining, you’ve forgotten your gloves, and your horse has rolled in something questionable.

Ready to ride?
Explore Gallant Equestrian’s men’s riding wardrobe — built for the everyday rider, returning rider, and anyone who wants to look the part and enjoy the ride.