26 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Katie Shoultz
N
oelle Floyd is a Canadian show jumping rider with a
fair for telling a good story. Author and creative genius
behind the popular equestrian blog, NoelleFloyd.com,
Noelle has made it her job to capture the life and energy behind
the international show jumping scene. Smartly written industry
updates and rider profles are accompanied by her own stunning
images; Noelle is passionate about discovering the untold stories
of the equestrian lifestyle. Currently based in Europe, Noelle
travels the show circuit in an effort to grow her website while also
running a freelance photography business. It runs in the family,
as her mom is a photographer - although Noelle herself is largely
self-taught! Sidelines caught up with the behind-the-scenes guru
and asked her 10 questions. We will also feature Noelle’s top 10
favorite photos on the Sidelines website – you don’t want to miss
her great photos.
1
How did you get your start in the horse world?
I started riding in Vancouver as a kid. My most infuential trainer
in Canada was Bobbie Reber; through her, I got to travel to
California and compete at Spruce Meadows. She introduced me to
a lot of great people in the industry: Eric Lamaze, Randy Roy, Kim
Kirton, Philip Rozon, Neil Jones, Yann Candele, Tiffany Foster,
Laura and Brent Balisky, Buddy Brown, John Anderson, Jonathen
Asselin, Gail Greenhough and Chris Pratt, (whom I eventually got
a working student position with in California. I learned a lot from
Chris, and he gave me the confdence to move to Europe.)
2
You mention on your blog that you ride with the
acclaimed Belgium rider, Marc van Dijck. Do you have
a position as a working student
?
No, I rode for him professionally when I frst moved to Brussels;
but now I just ride when I’m in town. We’ve become good friends
and he runs a great program.
3
What are your
current riding goals?
I’m not competing very
much at the moment.
I still ride for Marc
Van Dijck when I’m in
Brussels; but I’m on the
road a lot because my
main focus is expanding
NoelleFloyd.com. I may
take some time next
year to go on tour -
maybe the Sunshine
Tour in Spain or Magna
Racino in Austria for a
few weeks.
e
Sidelines Top Ten
Noelle Floyd behind the
lens.
Photo by Sacha Floyd
4
What other activities do you enjoy?
Well riding and work keeps me really busy; but I’m a pretty
active person in general! I’m from Vancouver where everyone is
pretty outdoorsy with a lot of hiking, sailing and mountain biking.
I ski a lot when I’m home; I actually started skiing before I started
riding.
5
What has been the inspiration behind your blog?
Really, my inspiration is probably John Whitaker! (An acclaimed
British equestrian and fve-time Olympic rider.) Since moving
Noelle Floyd in the saddle.
Photo courtesy of Noelle Floyd
Noelle Floyd Shares Her Flair