Today we’d like to introduce you to Pauline Renon.
Hi Pauline, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised near Lyon, France, I began riding horses at just three years old and entered my first competitions by age seven. Coming from a family deeply involved in sport-horse breeding for show jumping, I grew up surrounded by top-level horses and developed a lifelong passion for equestrian sport and training excellence.
By eighteen, I launched my professional riding career, all while studying neuroscience, where I explored the connection between mental performance and athletic success. I holds the DEJEPS certification, recognized internationally as the IGEQ Level 3 Trainer, the highest certification /qualified instructors in the field.
Throughout my career, I had competed and led masterclasses across Europe and abroad — including the United States, Morocco, Egypt, China, and Guatemala — gaining international recognition for my technical expertise and horsemanship in both Grand Prix jumping and dressage.
In 2019, I moved to Franklin, Tennessee, where I served as the principal rider and trainer at an elite breeding stable and training facility specializing in the import and development of top European sport horses.
In 2025, I founded My own company, United Equestrian Team, based in the Nashville/Franklin area, where I focuses on training riders, developing young horses, and preparing competitive partnerships for the international show-jumping and dressage arenas. My mission is to combine European training philosophy with modern performance science to inspire excellence in both horses and riders.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been easy. Moving from Europe to the United States came with many challenges — both personal and professional. As a European, I had to take time to truly understand the industry landscape and culture here in order to adapt my business model successfully. The way people approach horse training, management, and client relationships can be quite different, so learning those nuances was essential.
The language barrier was another adjustment in the beginning. Even though I spoke English, communicating complex training concepts or connecting with clients on a deeper level took practice and patience. Over time, these challenges helped me grow stronger — they pushed me to evolve not only as a rider and trainer, but also as a businesswoman who can bridge European and American equestrian traditions.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At United Equestrian Team, I focus on developing both horses and riders to reach their highest potential — from young prospects to Grand Prix-level competitors. My work combines the precision and structure of European training methods with a modern, science-based approach to performance psychology and biomechanics, inspired by my background in neuroscience.
I specialize in show jumping and dressage, but more than that, I’m passionate about building strong, trusting partnerships between horse and rider. Each program I create is fully customized — blending technical development, mindset coaching, and long-term strategy to help riders achieve sustainable success in and out of the ring.
What I’m most proud of is the international diversity of my journey. Having competed and taught across Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the United States, I’ve learned to adapt to different styles, cultures, and horses — and that global perspective deeply shapes how I train today.
What sets me apart is my ability to bridge the European philosophy of horsemanship with the American spirit of innovation and opportunity. I strive to create an environment where riders and horses are constantly learning, improving, and performing at their best — not just for results, but for the love of the sport itself.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding the right mentor is one of the most important parts of growing not only as a rider, but as a person and professional.
My advice is to look for people who truly inspire you, not just those who are successful. A good mentor is someone who shares their knowledge generously, challenges you to improve, and helps you see things from new perspectives.
For me, the best connections came from being curious, humble, and proactive. As today I never hesitated to ask questions, offer help at the barn, or travel to clinics and shows where I could learn from top riders and trainers. Most of the mentors who shaped me didn’t come from formal introductions, they came from show rings, warm-ups, and long conversations after training.
When it comes to networking, I believe in building genuine relationships instead of just professional contacts. Be authentic, stay curious, and always give value, I may be too French Sometime but that my signature today.
Learn every day whether that’s sharing your experience, helping someone at a show, or simply showing appreciation for their work. In the horse world especially, reputation and trust are everything, and those come from consistency, respect, and passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://united-equestrian.com
- Instagram: Paulinerenon_rider
- Facebook: Pauline SportHorses
- Other: [email protected]
