We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of Isabella, who has recently competed in international endurance riding competitions and is set to be ranked number one in China. Alongside her A Level studies, she has represented the sport at an elite level, competing in countries including Romania, Bahrain and France. Her success is a testament to her dedication, resilience and hard work, both in the saddle and in the classroom. Reflecting on her journey so far, she shares her experiences, achievements and future ambitions in the Q&A below.

Congratulations on becoming the top-ranked endurance rider in China! How did you feel when you learned about this incredible achievement?  

Firstly, this recognition was very unexpected, as I did not compete as frequently this year as I had in previous seasons. However, the quality of the races I participated in exceeded my expectations and provided valuable opportunities for growth. 

In 2024, I finished the season ranked second in the FEI Young Rider World Rankings, and this year I am currently ranked third. Competing internationally has given me invaluable experience and helped me become a more efficient, mature, and resilient rider. 

That being said, my journey has not always been straightforward. One of the most challenging periods of my career came during the 2025 FEI Young Rider World Championship in Romania. During the race, another rider lost control of her horse, which stepped on my horse’s leg and caused lameness, leading to my elimination. Shortly afterwards, I was unable to finish two further international races. For the first time in my career, I experienced a period of genuine self-doubt. 

However, looking back, those setbacks became some of the most important lessons of my career. They taught me the value of resilience, self-reflection, and continuous improvement. Rather than allowing disappointment to define me, I chose to analyse my performances, learn from my mistakes, and focus on becoming a better rider. 

The turning point came at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, where I achieved the best result for Team China. More importantly, it restored my confidence and reminded me of what I was capable of achieving when I trusted my preparation and remained focused on my goals. 

Since then, I have approached every race with a growth mindset. I believe failure is not something to fear; it is an opportunity to learn, improve, and become stronger. Through perseverance and self-belief, I was able to overcome setbacks and continue progressing both as a rider and as a person. 

While I am proud of this ranking, it is not the most important achievement to me. What matters most is the experience I have gained, the resilience I have developed, and the partnership I have built with my horses. Those are the foundations of long-term success, both in endurance riding and in life. 

Of course, rankings and victories will always motivate me to push myself further. But more than anything, this achievement reminds me that success is not defined by a single result. It is defined by the ability to keep moving forward, especially when things do not go as planned. 

Can you tell us a little about the competition and what made this particular event so memorable for you?  

One of the most memorable competitions of my career was the 2024 FEI Young Rider World Championship in Monpazier, France. At the time, I was the youngest rider on Team China and one of the youngest competitors in the entire field. Compared with many of the elite riders around me, I had far less experience. 

Before the competition, I heard many doubts about my ability. Some people believed that my achievements were only possible because of my family background, as my father is also a Silver Elite Three-Star rider and a stable owner. Others suggested that my success was simply due to the quality of my horses rather than my own ability as a rider. Those comments created pressure, but they also motivated me to prove myself through my performance. 

Race day began at 5:00 a.m. in extremely difficult conditions. There was heavy rain, lightning, and very poor visibility. We could only rely on our headlights to see the terrain ahead. Parts of the course ran along mountain tracks and cliff edges, where losing concentration for even a moment could have had serious consequences. During those early hours, I learned the importance of trust – trusting my horse, trusting my preparation, and trusting my decisions under pressure. 

As the sun rose, the conditions improved and the race began to unfold in our favour. Later in the competition, I received the news that I was leading Team China. If I could maintain a strong finishing position, I would help secure a historic silver team medal for China in endurance riding. 

At that point, I faced an important decision. To challenge for a higher placing, I would need to increase the pace, which also increased the risks. In endurance riding, pushing too hard can lead to lameness, metabolic issues, and elimination. I knew the responsibility I carried, not only for myself but for my team and my horse. 

After carefully assessing my horse and our condition, I decided to take on the challenge. In the final stages of the race, I sprinted to the finish alongside a rider from India and won the sprint finish. We crossed the line in 15th place out of 99 combinations, and that result helped Team China secure a historic silver medal. 

That race remains one of the proudest moments of my career. Not because of the ranking itself, but because it taught me the value of courage, trust, and belief in myself. It showed me that when pressure is at its highest, confidence comes from preparation, resilience, and the partnership you build with your horse. 

Endurance riding requires dedication, resilience, and teamwork. What do you think has been the key to your success so far? 

I believe the key to my success has been resilience. 

One example that always comes to mind is a race in Sines, Portugal. The day before, I had completed a 100km race and was leading the competition, only to be eliminated at the final veterinary inspection due to lameness. It was incredibly disappointing because I had been so close to winning. 

The following day, I had to start a 160km race carrying that disappointment with me. I had not ridden for six months before the event, and physically I was exhausted. During the race, I felt dizzy, my vision became blurred, and every muscle in my body was in pain. Even touching my skin was uncomfortable. My riding position deteriorated because of fatigue, my feet were extremely painful, and after the race I discovered bruising and damage to several toenails. 

At one point, my parents told me to stop and withdraw from the race. However, I refused. I have always believed that if I commit to something, I should give everything I have before considering giving up. I told them that if I started the race, I would do my very best to finish it. That mindset carried me through one of the toughest physical challenges of my career. 

A more recent example was a 160km race in Rio Frio, Portugal. The temperature reached 33°C, and the race was run on open, exposed terrain with very little shade. Wearing protective equipment and a helmet in those conditions was extremely challenging. I became dizzy, struggled to breathe, and at times felt close to falling from the horse due to the heat. 

Many riders chose to withdraw because of the conditions, which was completely understandable. However, I wanted to explore every possibility before considering giving up. My goal was to qualify that horse for the World Championship, so I stayed focused and managed my race carefully. In the end, I finished in eighth place and successfully secured the qualification. 

Those experiences taught me that resilience is not about never feeling pain, doubt, or exhaustion. It is about continuing to move forward despite those challenges. I have found this lesson applies not only to endurance riding, but also to my studies and everyday life. Whenever I commit to a goal, I do everything possible to see it through. 

I truly believe that effort is never wasted. The rewards may not come immediately, but persistence eventually creates opportunities. Looking back, those difficult moments helped me qualify four horses for the World Championship, become the highest-ranked endurance rider in China, and continue progressing in the FEI world rankings. 

For me, resilience is not just an important quality in sport – it is a way of approaching life. 

What have you learned from your journey in endurance riding that has helped you both in sport and in everyday life? 

One of the most important things endurance riding has taught me is confidence. 

Like many sports, success in endurance riding gives you confidence in your abilities. However, for me, it goes much deeper than simply winning races. Endurance riding has taught me to trust myself, set ambitious goals, and believe that I can achieve things that may initially seem impossible. 

I apply the same mindset to my studies and everyday life. Whenever I achieve a goal – whether it is a good result in a race, a strong academic performance, or a personal milestone – it reminds me that hard work and consistency lead to progress. I enjoy setting goals for myself and then looking back after a period of time to see how far I have come. That sense of achievement motivates me to aim even higher. 

I have always been someone who dreams big. Sometimes the goal ahead can seem overwhelming, and there are moments when I cannot immediately see how I am going to achieve it. However, endurance riding has taught me that success does not come from knowing every step in advance. It comes from taking the first step, staying committed, and continuing to move forward even when the path is uncertain. 

Perhaps the greatest lesson endurance has given me is self-belief. Like everyone, I experience setbacks, difficult periods, and moments when things do not go as planned. During those times, endurance riding reminds me of what I have already overcome and what I am capable of achieving. 

When I struggle with something, I no longer see it as proof that I am not capable. Instead, I remind myself that being unsuccessful in one area does not define who I am. My experiences in endurance riding have shown me that I have the ability to learn, adapt, and improve. That confidence allows me to approach new challenges with a positive mindset rather than fear of failure. 

More than medals or rankings, endurance riding has helped me build a strong mindset and a resilient character. It has taught me to believe in myself, stay ambitious, and continue pursuing my goals even when they seem far away. I believe those lessons will stay with me for the rest of my life. 

Now that you have reached this exciting milestone, what are your future goals and aspirations in endurance riding? 

Looking ahead, I hope my future in endurance riding will extend beyond being a competitor. Of course, I still have many sporting goals that I would like to achieve as a rider, but I also want to contribute to the long-term development of the sport itself. 

One of my ambitions is to help make endurance riding more visible, accessible, and attractive to future generations. Endurance has given me so many opportunities and life lessons, and I would like more people to experience the same benefits that I have gained from the sport. 

I am interested in learning about the sport from different perspectives, not only as an athlete but also as an official and decision-maker. In the future, I hope to gain the qualifications to become a judge and become more involved in the governance and development of endurance riding. I would also like to work with the FEI in some capacity and contribute to the future direction of the sport. 

I have already had the privilege of meeting with senior FEI leaders, including the FEI President and the FEI Endurance Director, where I was able to share ideas and suggestions from a young rider’s perspective. It was incredibly rewarding to see that some of those discussions were taken seriously and helped contribute to positive developments within the sport. 

Another experience that inspired me was participating in the FEI Endurance Forum in Italy as the only representative from China and one of the speakers on the Young Rider Panel. Being able to share my experiences alongside some of the leading figures in endurance riding made me realise that athletes can play an important role in shaping the future of the sport. That is something I would like to continue doing throughout my career. 

As for my competitive goals, I always want to keep improving and achieving better results. Like any athlete, I dream of reaching the very top and one day becoming world number one in FEI endurance. However, I prefer to let my performances speak for themselves. I have many goals and ambitions, but I keep most of them in my heart and focus on working towards them every day. 

For me, success is not only about what I achieve personally, but also about the impact I can have on the sport and the people involved in it. If I can help endurance riding grow while continuing to pursue excellence as an athlete, that would be my greatest achievement.