British event rider Laura Collett leads a life shaped almost entirely by horses. Her days begin early and rarely follow the same routine, typically riding between eight and twelve horses across dressage, jumping, fitness work and hacking. “Every day varies” she says, explaining that she usually rides from start to finish of the day, occasionally teaching or schooling racehorses alongside her own training schedule.

That relentless routine reflects the mindset required at the top of eventing. For Collett, the sport demands complete focus and careful planning around every horse in her yard. While she still loves winning, her definition of success has evolved. “I still love striving to improve” she explains, “but now I appreciate the good days more and don’t take them for granted”, acknowledging that competing at senior level brings new challenges.

Setbacks have been an inevitable part of the journey, particularly when horses are injured. Those moments, she says, have strengthened her resilience and patience. Her approach is to analyse what went wrong, make a plan to prevent it happening again and then “park the past and focus on the future”. Preparation also helps her stay calm under pressure - visualising the day ahead, creating a clear timetable and allowing herself small moments to switch off and avoid overthinking.

Confidence, Collett believes, can come from the smallest details. Looking polished on competition days - through clothing, makeup or her trademark gel nails - adds a subtle but meaningful boost. “Looking smart and feeling good gives you a feel-good factor that shows in the riding” she says. That philosophy is reflected in her collaboration with Mylee on a limited-edition range of gel nail wraps, designed to match the pace of an athlete’s life: bold, durable designs that are quick to apply and tough enough for long days in the yard.

Looking ahead, Collett remains focused on careful planning for each horse’s season, with major championships firmly in her sights and long-term ambitions that include the 2028 Summer Olympics. Above all, she hopes her example shows that elite performance and personal expression can coexist. “Looking and feeling good and competing at the highest level aren’t mutually exclusive” she says. “If it builds your confidence, go for it”.