The Equestrian’s Inner Life, a podcast hosted by Pernille Hogg, explores the unseen journey of riders. Launched in October 2025 with an episode featuring six-time Olympian Mary Hanna, followed by chats with Brett Parbery, classical master Rafael Soto, and American Olympian Steffen Peters among others, it delves into connection, resilience, and the transformative bond between horse and human.
Ep.10. The power of a dream realised with Melissa Galloway
Melissa Galloway has become one of New Zealand’s brightest lights in international dressage — a rider whose determination and love for her horsese have carried her from humble beginnings to the world stage. As New Zeland’s highest-ranked dressage competitor, Melissa reached a redifning moment at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with her long-time partner Joey (Windermere J’Obei W), setting a new national Grand Prix record.
But behind that moment lies a partnership years in the making. Melissa has ridden Joey since he was just two years old, nurturing the horse through every stage of his development while building a relationship founded on trust, patience and belief. Now in her early thirties, Melissa stands at an exciting point in her career — having already reached the Olympic arena while still looking ahead to what may come next, both for herself and for New Zealnd dressage.
Where knowledge meets feel
Melissa reflects on the delicate balance between ambition and connection that defines life as a high-performance rider. Training overseas exposed her to intense coaching environmnets and new expectations, and at times she felt the natural feel that had guided her begin to fade beneath the pressure to absorb constant instruction and push for more.
It was only when she returned home that everything began to settle. Riding quietly each day with Joey again, she found space to process what she had learned and reconnect with her own instincts. From that place, a powerful balance emerged — blending the knowledge gained abroad with the feel that had always anchored their partnership. With clarity restored, their performances began to soar, eventually leading to an extraordinary run of results and the realisation that the Olympic dream was within reach.
This episode offers a thoughtful look at the journey behind elite performance – and a reminder that true progress often comes when knowledge and instinct find harmony.
Available on all major platforms (YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify); search ‘The Equestrian’s Inner Life’.
