Your stories: It’s never too late to discover dressage

Damen’s inspiring journey from picking up the reins in his 40s to qualifying for the 2025 Winter Area Festival proves it’s never too late to start your dressage adventure.

Many of us dream about pursuing a passion but wonder if the opportunity has passed us by. For Damen Funnell, a former Police Inspector who now works in the Environment Agency, that dream was horses.

“It was always something I had dreamed of but never had the opportunity or the money to bring about. At 6ft tall and as an ex-rugby player, I really thought riding at any level was far beyond me,” shared Damen, who at 43 with no significant equestrian experience other than a handful of lessons as a child, assumed the world of dressage was out of reach. However, his journey proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

When Damen finally took the leap and purchased his Irish Sport Horse Mickey, the road to success wasn’t smooth. The five-year-old was a ‘gangly’ 16.3hh and a complete novice, unable to jump a cross pole or canter a circle. Then, before the pair could truly start their ridden journey together, a blood disorder unfortunately meant that Micky needed nearly a year off work. Thankfully, he recovered; however for Damen, an ex-rugby forward who weightlifted and competed in full-contact martial arts, adapting to the discipline and nuance of riding was a challenge, pushing him far out of his comfort zone. “I really thought it was a case of point and go in terms of riding – how wrong I was! I definitely underestimated the complexities of developing a trusting relationship and deep understanding with my equine partner,” he admitted.

Six years after purchasing Mickey, Damen has achieved more than he ever imagined, winning numerous unaffiliated showjumping and eventing competitions. However, he only recently stepped into the world of British Dressage. In the beginning, Damen avoided flatwork and dressage altogether. “I hated flatwork in the early days,” he confessed, but over time  as the pair worked together and took on guidance from supportive trainers, he began to see the appeal of dressage and fell in love. “We (me!) have gone from avoiding dressage to it becoming our favourite discipline. The harmony and partnership needed to produce a good test have been the most rewarding and, at the same time, the most difficult part of the sport.”

Last year, Damen and Mickey achieved scores over 67% in their first BD outings, qualifying them for the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships 2025 at Novice level. “It’s something I never thought we would achieve,” he said. This success comes with an added challenge, as Damen has a disability that affects his memory: “It's hard to learn tests, but with good empathetic trainers, perseverance, and the Dressage Test Pro app, which has been a real game changer for me, we are succeeding.”

For Damen, the benefits of dressage extend far beyond competition. The bond he has formed with Mickey has been transformative, providing a sense of escape and grounding after a demanding career in the police force. “Working in the police was challenging, and riding Mickey has been a complete escape in a positive sense,” he reflected.

The sense of accomplishment Damen has experienced in mastering this discipline and bonding with his horse is unparalleled. His story is a testament to the diversity of people who enjoy the sport of dressage, and his message is clear: age and experience are no barriers to pursuing your dressage dreams. “If an ex-rugby playing forward who struggles to remember his tests in his forties can do it, then anyone can!”

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Whether you’re a complete novice or returning to the saddle after years away, British Dressage offers a supportive community, a range of accessible grassroots competition pathways and a wealth of resources to help you succeed. So why wait? Your dressage adventure could start today.

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Share your story

Do you have an inspiring dressage story that you would love to share? No matter where you are in your dressage journey, whether you've recently made your test debut, overcome the odds, or have been a long-term member progressing through the levels, we would love to hear how you fell in love with the sport and why you chose to join British Dressage!

For a chance for your story to be featured on our website and social media, please email us at communications@britishdressage.co.uk.

Photo © PDG Photography