Trust Your Gut”: A Conversation with Rising Show Jumping Star Molly Hughes Bravo

We met Molly Hughes Bravo in El Jadida, Morocco, during the last leg of the Amoroso Royal Tour. Despite a packed month competing across Portugal, Morocco, and soon the Sunshine Tour, the young Portuguese rider, based in Ireland greeted us with her signature calm energy and easy smile. Between rounds, she took a moment to reflect on her journey, her horses, and the balance that keeps her thriving in such a demanding sport.

It was an especially successful stop on tour for Molly — she finished 3rd in the 1.55m World Cup 4★ Grand Prix with HHS Tokyo, another fantastic horse produced by the Hughes Bravo Stud. A result that, as she admits with a grin, “felt really rewarding for the whole team.”

“I was born into it.”

When asked how she first got into show jumping, Molly doesn’t hesitate.

“I’m lucky enough that both my parents show jumped at a high level,” she says. “My mom comes from a very horsey family — my granddad actually started the yard at home. So, I was kind of bred into it. I was surrounded by horses and people who loved them, so I was very lucky.”

That early start laid the foundation for what’s already becoming an impressive international career.

The Horses That Shaped Her Journey

It’s impossible to talk to Molly without hearing her affection for her horses. When asked which one has been the most influential, her eyes light up.

“I think recently, it would have to be Mercedes, my grey mare,” she says. “She’s only eight, but I’ve been riding her since she was five. Every year she’s been improving — she’s won a lot of young horse finals, and even the World Championships last year with another rider. We were second in our first two-star Grand Prix together a few weeks ago, so I feel really rewarded by her progress.”

She also speaks proudly of HHS Tokyo, who carried her to that El Jadida podium finish.

“Tokyo’s such a talented horse — careful, brave, and always trying. He’s been developed through our own program at the Hughes Bravo Stud, which makes it extra special.”

From Ponies to the Pros

Like many top riders, Molly’s foundation came through ponies and youth championships.

“I did a lot of ponies and youth championships growing up,” she recalls. “When I got to do World Cup shows like Stuttgart or Lyon — even though it was just ponies — being surrounded by amazing riders in those big rings gave me a taste for what I wanted to do in the future.”

Those early milestones, she says, were key moments that pushed her to keep climbing the levels.

Building Trust

When it comes to training and competition, Molly emphasizes one thing above all: trust.

“I think it’s very important for you and the horse to trust each other,” she says firmly. “If there’s no trust, there’s not much you can build on. That’s the foundation — then you can work on everything else.”

A Day in the Life

At home, Molly’s days are full and disciplined.

“We start at half seven, and I usually ride around seven or eight horses a day,” she explains. “We break for lunch at one, then ride again until around five. In the evenings, I try to have a normal life — see friends, go to parties. It’s important to have that balance.”

During the summer, that routine shifts into a rhythm of constant travel and competition — a life she embraces wholeheartedly.

Staying Focused in the Ring

Before entering the ring, Molly takes a quiet moment to center herself.

“I try to focus, go over my course in my head, and not get too stressed,” she says. “I keep thinking about the plan and how I can execute it.”

That clear, methodical mindset was evident in El Jadida, where her composure under pressure helped her secure that podium finish.

The Challenges for Young Riders

The show jumping world can be tough, especially for young riders balancing ambition with the unpredictability of horses.

“There are always mental struggles,” Molly admits. “You want everything to go right, but at the end of the day, it’s an animal. It’s nearly impossible for everything to be perfect all the time. I’ve learned to take things on the chin and improve from them — though I still need to remind myself of that sometimes.”

Inspiration in the Arena

When asked which riders inspire her, Molly doesn’t hesitate.

“At the moment, there are so many great women riders,” she says. “I really look up to Sophie Hinners — she’s amazing. She rides everything from young horses to Grand Prix horses, has so much feel, and is incredibly strong for such a small person. She’s one of the best.”

Dreams Still Ahead

Even with her growing list of accomplishments, Molly’s ambitions continue to drive her forward.

“Shows like Aachen, Spruce Meadows, and the Dublin five-star — they’re just iconic,” she says. “Cantering into the ring at one of those must be an unmatched feeling. It would be a dream.”

Finding Balance

With such a full schedule, Molly knows how important it is to take a step back.

“I think it’s very important to have balance,” she reflects. “You need to plan a few days off to recharge. If you don’t, you get sucked into never having a break — and then you can’t be at 100%.”

“Trust your gut.”

When we ask what advice has stayed with her the longest, she smiles.

“Just trust your gut,” she says. “You can listen to everyone and take something from everyone, but in the end, you have to make some decisions yourself. It’s between you and your horse at the end of the day.”

That instinct — a blend of feel, focus, and quiet confidence — is what makes Molly Hughes Bravo one of the most exciting young riders on the circuit today.

Next stop: the Sunshine Tour, where Molly will continue to build on a stellar season — with Mercedes, HHS Tokyo, and the rest of the Hughes Bravo Stud team right beside her.

Valentina Sozzi – Vs Media

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