When U.S. five star eventer Matt Brown looked back at one of his proudest competition rounds, he did not see the confident partnership he thought he had. Instead, he saw a horse responding to pressure, not trust. That realization sparked a turning point in both his horsemanship and his outlook on what it really means to be a leader in the saddle.
In this episode of Dear Horse World, Matt joins Noëlle Floyd for a candid conversation about tradition, vulnerability, and the courage to question the habits we inherit in horse sport.
Meet Matt Brown
Matt Brown is more than a decorated event rider. He is an Olympic team alternate, Pan American Games team silver medalist, and respected coach who runs East West Training Stables with his wife, Cecily. Beyond competition, Matt is known for his thoughtful writing in The Chronicle of the Horse, where his recent piece “It’s Time to Let Go of the Whip” challenged the industry to rethink long-standing practices.
What sets Matt apart is not just his record in the ring. It is his willingness to speak openly about the invisible pressures riders face, from performance expectations to the cultural weight of tradition.
Tradition vs. Progress: Why the Whip Became a Turning Point
Matt’s choice to stop carrying a whip in competition was not about making a statement. It was about alignment and realizing that leadership built on compliance was not the kind of partnership he wanted with his horses.
He is not against whips entirely and still acknowledges they can be useful in some training contexts. But letting go of the whip in competition became a powerful reminder to question why we use the tools we use, and whether they truly support trust.
For Matt, the shift went deeper than equipment. It was about learning to measure success against his values, not just competitive outcomes. Letting go of the whip meant asking harder questions:
- What does true leadership look like without force?
- How does tradition help or hold us back from progress?
- Can we evolve without shame for how we have ridden in the past?
Redefining Strength Through Vulnerability
One of the most powerful threads in Matt’s story is how his own healing journey intersected with his horsemanship. As he worked through personal challenges, his definition of strength began to shift from control and pressure toward softness, trust, and connection.
Instead of viewing vulnerability as weakness, he now sees it as the very thing that deepens his partnership with horses. And as he shares in the podcast, this shift did not just change how he rides. It changed how he shows up in life.
What Riders Will Take Away
Listeners will leave this conversation with:
- Permission to question tradition without fear of judgment
- Clarity on pressure vs. connection, and how subtle habits influence the partnership
- Encouragement to redefine strength as softness, awareness, and honesty
- Hope for cultural change in a sport that often resists it
Why This Matters for the Horse World
At NF+, we believe that real progress in horsemanship comes from courage. The courage to examine old beliefs, to speak honestly, and to prioritize the horse’s voice. Matt’s story is a powerful reminder that change does not start with rules or bans. It starts with individual choices, made rider by rider.
It also shows the importance of honesty, even when it feels messy. By speaking openly about pressure, values, and growth, Matt invites all of us to imagine a culture built on transparency and trust rather than perfection.
- Watch and listen to the full podcast episode here.
- Read Matt's article: It's Time to Let Go of the Whip
- Follow Matt on Instagram: @eastwesttraining
- Visit his website: East West Training Stables
