Behind the Camera: ‘Overcoming Fears’ with Niels Bruynseels

In the eighth and final episode of season 1 of ‘Rising Above’ presented by Longines, ‘Overcoming Fears,’ we hear the moving story of Belgian jumping star Niels Bruynseels. Bruynseels details how he was initially afraid of horses and how he overcame that fear to emerge as one of the world’s top riders. We sat down with the Belgian talent to talk more about his journey and how his dreams drove him to peruse riding at the highest level.

Growing up in an equestrian family, you would not expect that Niels Bruynseels would be afraid of horses. “My whole family was into horses. At home we had a riding club, a riding school, with my parents and my grandparents,” recounts Bruynseels. He explains that his family never pushed him to ride but growing up in an equestrian family, “from the morning to the evening I was really in between the horses.”

Despite his fears, Bruynseels started riding as a child, still remembering the fear within him during those early lessons. “That feeling I can still remember because that period I was still afraid of horses. I think I was 7 or 8 years old,” said Bruynseels. “At the riding club of my parents I was sitting on a pony and yeah the first lessons I was really afraid of riding. But I just continued because it was home, and I had a few friends who were also riding at the same riding club. So I continued riding because my friends did it.”

With his talent clearly evident, he began to seriously pursue competition at 13 years old, but never imagined where he would be today. “As a kid it was always a dream, but I would never expect that I would be the rider that I am today,” recalls Bruynseels, “I could only dream of it. But yeah, step by step it came.”

Boasting a host of podium finishes under his belt, including victories in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix competitions in Doha and Cannes, Bruynseels has solidified his status among the world’s best riders. “A LGCT victory is something really special because this is the highest competition in the world,” says Bruynseels. “It’s the best riders coming together with the best horses. It’s exciting, its competition of the highest level in our sport. So yeah, that’s something really special.”

 When asked if he had any advice for his younger self, when he was just starting out in riding, Bruynseels said with a smile, “enjoy it.” Having overcome his fear of horses, Bruynseels has found a true passion and love for riding, dedicating his life to the sport and claiming victories at the highest level as we learned in ‘Overcoming Fears’, now available to stream on all of LGCT’s social channels.

 This eight-episode series has proved a must-watch for equestrian enthusiasts and sports fans alike, offering an intimate look at the lives and careers of the top show jumpers in the world. The full season is available to stream via YouTube and stay tuned for season 2, set to premier in 2025, offering more exclusive content featuring extraordinary stories.