Hey everyone, it’s This Esme! Check out these six fun facts that you may not know about me.
1. I didn’t grow up in a horsey family, but I did grow up in a motorsport one.
Sundays were pretty much planned around the Formula 1 calendar. We’d check what time zone the races were in and work our day around them. I still remember juggling Pony Club show jumping with race schedules, making sure we caught as much of the action as possible between rounds.
Even now, I have a real love for F1—the strategy, technology, speed, and drama. I’ve been lucky enough to see races live at Monza (in Italy) and in Texas, but this summer was particularly special as I got a private tour of the Williams F1 factory in Grove (England). It was incredible seeing their wind tunnel up close and exploring all the top-secret design and testing areas. It’s a totally different kind of horsepower!
2. I’m a big fan of fantasy fiction.
Goblins, elves, vampires, knights in armour—the whole lot. So, when SKY/NOW TV asked me to help promote the finale of House of the Dragon, I was thrilled. I spent the day with the Knights of Middle England, just a stone’s throw from Warwick Castle, filming a promo for the show. I transformed from a glam version of myself to a full-on warrior princess, learning hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting.
The highlight, though, was working with a stunt horse called Bro. He was so calm—even when I was firing a flaming arrow off his back and wielding a sword that was literally on fire. It was an amazing experience.
3. I’m really shy.
I know that might not come across given my job, but I’m not naturally someone who seeks the spotlight. The whole social media thing wasn’t planned at all—it just kind of happened. Over time, I’ve had to learn how to “fake it ’til I make it,” whether it’s interviewing top riders, presenting at big championships, or walking the red carpet. Honestly, I’m happiest at home with a coffee, but I’ve learned to step outside my comfort zone.
4. One of the most meaningful things I’ve done was riding to the Houses of Parliament in London on horseback in 2024.
I was part of a World Horse Welfare campaign, riding through London, across Hyde Park Corner, past Buckingham Palace, and right up to Parliament. We had a police escort, and the horses from Wimbledon Village Stables were unbelievably calm. We were campaigning for a ban on the export of live horses for slaughter—something the charity has been fighting for 99 years! In 2025, the bill finally passed, and it felt incredible to have played a small part in that. It’s one of the most important things I’ve ever done.
5. I have dyslexia.
I talk about this quite a bit on my channel, so it might not be a total surprise. School was tough for me—I was slower than others, and some teachers thought I wasn’t trying hard enough, when in reality I was doing my best. I didn’t enjoy reading for a long time because I found it difficult, and it made me feel frustrated. But once I was finally diagnosed, things changed, and I started to love reading and writing. Since then, I’ve been able to write best-selling books, and I’m currently working on book four of the Starlight Stables Gang series.
6. I have a fake tooth.
I’ve never shared this before! Some of my adult teeth just didn’t come through, and to avoid a big gap in my smile, I got a fake one fitted. It hasn’t stopped me from smiling, though!
x Esme
This edition of This Esme’s column appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
