Gabriela Reutter: Riding, Resilience, and the Real Side of Equestrian Life

For Gabriela Reutter, horses have never been just a passion — they’ve been a constant, a compass, and a calling. The Chilean show jumper has spent more than two decades chasing her dream, from donkey trail rides at age three to competing on the international stage. Along the way, she has built not only a career as a professional equestrian but also a growing presence as a content creator, showing the unfiltered side of the sport.

“I honestly think I’ve thought about horses every single day since I was four years old and rode for the first time,” she says. “Which is crazy to think about.”

A Turning Point on a Hilltop

Gabriela remembers the exact moment her dream took shape.

“I was about eight years old, sitting on a hilltop watching a show jumping competition. I thought the jumps were huge. I have no idea what the height was — probably a meter ten or meter twenty — but I remember thinking, I want to be there. I want to compete like that. I want to go to the Olympics. And that was the day.”

Her first big breakthrough came in Paraguay, competing outside Chile for the first time.

“We had to buy another suitcase to bring back all the trophies and ribbons,” she laughs. “That’s when I realized I had talent — and that I wanted to do this internationally.”

But moving to the United States was a reality check.

“I thought I was really good in Chile, and then I got to the U.S. and realized… well, the level here doesn’t compare. It humbled me. I saw how much I needed to grow, and I was determined to face that challenge head-on.”

The Highs, the Lows, and the Long Days

A major career highlight came in 2022.

“At the start of the year, I had a really bad fall — I broke and dislocated my shoulder. I wasn’t doing well emotionally or physically. It took so much effort to build myself back up, but I ended up having the best year. I placed in every Grand Prix I competed in and finished with a team bronze at the South American Games, highest-ranked female and only woman on the podium. That was special.”

Daily Life Behind the Scenes

Daily life, she says, is far from glamorous.

“I wake up, stretch, do mobility, have breakfast and coffee, take care of my dog, and get to the barn between seven and eight. I check on the horses, make sure everyone’s feeling well, talk with the grooms, and start riding. Then I prep feed for the horses, handle management tasks, and work on the computer and film and edit videos. Lunch is usually at the barn. Then I head to the gym, go home, journal, do some more editing, maybe have dinner with friends, and usually finish the night reading and hanging out with my dog.”

Behind the scenes, there’s a constant, 24/7 responsibility.

“Horses are live animals — we monitor what they eat, how they look and feel, their soundness. They get massages, acupuncture, laser treatments, magnetic blankets. If I’m not at the barn and something happens, I have to be ready to step in. We’re a small team, so it’s on all of us to keep things running smoothly.”

Strength — Physical and Mental

Working with horses is physically demanding, and Gabriela takes her cross-training very seriously.

“I cannot compete without doing my stretches and mobility — otherwise I don’t feel as connected physically or mentally with my horse and will most likely regret it afterwards. I realized very early on that proper cross-training would help me improve my riding tremendously.”

The Mental Game

The mental game, she says, has been even tougher.

“When I was younger, I had a really hard time managing my anxiety, my nerves, and the pressure I put on myself. I’m a perfectionist. I worked with a sports psychologist before it was common — people thought it was strange. I work on my mental game with the same intensity and dedication as my physical training.”

Books and learning helped her shift perspective.

“You have to change your mindset. It’s not only about winning — it’s about why we started riding in the first place: the connection with the horse, the progress, winning is just the icing on the cake. I find happiness learning how to become a better equestrian for my horses’ wellbeing and for my own.”

From Blog to Viral Videos

Her influencer journey began almost by accident.

“I had a blog called My Ride in Balance where I talked about shows and my experiences — good and bad. Then I started posting funny videos on TikTok — just random stuff. Some went viral, and people started asking me for advice. I mixed in educational content, fitness tips, anything related to being an equestrian.”

She made a conscious choice to show more than just the highlight reel.

“I didn’t want my Instagram to be just perfect results and pretty pictures. People were interested in the real side, the learning side, the having-fun side. So I decided to open up.”

Two Main Content Goals

Today, her content blends two main goals:

1. Helping people become better horse people — sharing what she learns about horsemanship, horse behavior, and care.
2. Entertaining people — because, as she says, “This sport can be so serious. Filming funny videos actually adds a happy place to my life and I think to those I reach too!”

Keeping It Real

Authenticity is non-negotiable for Gabriela.

“If someone meets me in person, I want them to see the same person they see online. I don’t curate my life. The only thing I’m careful about is safety when sharing tips or how-tos. And I’m very selective with brand partnerships — I have to believe in the products I promote, because it’s my name as both a professional rider and influencer.”

Balancing Riding and Content Creation

Balancing riding and content creation isn’t easy.

“I don’t have a social media team. I come up with the ideas, plan, film, and edit everything myself. At big shows, the content creator side slows down because my focus is on competing. But creating content has helped me pay bills, build partnerships, and find sponsors.”

Organization keeps her afloat.

“I’m a big fan of lists. I use Notion to plan content, track sponsors, and manage my calendar. That’s the only way I stay sane.”

Looking Ahead

Gabriela’s ultimate dream is to make Olympic history.

“I want to be the second Chilean woman ever to compete in Olympic show jumping — and the first since 1972. I want to solidify myself at the five-star level, build a string of horses, find support from sponsors and investors, and make history.”

The Roadmap to the Olympics

She’s already mapping the path.

“I’m working on being selected for the Bolivarian Games, then the South American Games, Pan American Games, and, hopefully, the Olympics. I’d love to do World Cup Finals, all the major five-stars, and earn the opportunity to join a Global Champions Tour team.”

But through it all, her focus stays on what matters most.

“My goal is to create a healthy community where we all become better horse people, spread kindness and laughter, and show the positive side of our sport. I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard, loved her horses, and enjoyed the journey.”

Final Philosophy

In the end, her philosophy is simple — and powerful:

“This sport can be challenging, but the partnership with the horses makes it incredibly rewarding. If you love it and are willing to work for it, every moment is worth it.”

VALENTINA SOZZI – PH IRINA HULSE / LC RUAS

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