Tuned in

If you borrowed a top rider's headphones, what would you hear? Bethany Stone finds out

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WHAT riffs, beats and melodies are beaming into the ears of equestrian sport's best, to motivate them in competition and unwind?

GRAND prix dressage rider and 2024 British national champion Lewis Robertson-Carrier almost took a very different path in life.

Having done a lot of acting as a youngster, and been offered a West End role as Oliver Twist, it was a tossup between dressage and drama school as a school-leaver.

Lewis readily listens to music at every opportunity.

"I love to put my AirPods in," he says. "I listen to a wide range of genres; there's all sorts on my 'recently added' list on Spotify.

"Anything dramatic or heavy gives you a competitive feeling. I'll listen to a bit of Eminem and Linkin Park's most recent album."

A keen Ibiza partygoer, Lewis is also into an upbeat, party vibe.

"My new freestyle for London last year was more feelgood, dancey and fun. I love dance music, like Martin Garrix or Kygo."

Lewis adds that constructing a freestyle means finding songs to tell a story. "When I choose the songs, they always mean something to me.