Aisling Byrne: International Showjumper and Businesswoman on Surviving a Devastating Riding Accident and Defying the Odds to Walk and Compete Again

In this powerful episode, we meet Aisling Byrne — an international showjumper, successful businesswoman, and an extraordinary example of resilience in the face of life-altering adversity. After a devastating horse riding accident left her with multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and the prognosis that she would never walk again, Aisling refused to accept defeat.

Over the course of a gruelling three-year recovery, she not only walked again — she returned to the international showjumping circuit, proving that mindset, grit, and determination can overcome even the most impossible odds.

In our conversation, Aisling shares her journey from a small-town Irish girl discovering horses for the first time to the elite competitive showjumping stage, and the mindset strategies that carried her through her darkest moments. We also dive into her life as a business owner, how she balances her entrepreneurial ventures with her sporting goals, and her advice for women navigating setbacks of any kind.

Whether you’re facing a personal challenge, working toward a big goal, or simply in need of some serious inspiration, this episode will remind you of what’s possible when you choose to keep moving forward — no matter the obstacle.

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Show notes

• Who is Aisling
• Born and raised in Ireland 
• Being passionate about showjumping 
• Running a funding company and a travel company 
• Growing up in Ireland
• Having 1 brother and supportive parents 
• Not growing up around horses
• Going to the local equestrian centre
• Riding the neighbours ponies
• Getting her own pony at 11
• Transitioning from riding ponies to horses
• Enjoying the partnership with the horse
• How showjumping works
• Competition time and doing a course walk 
• What does it take to make a great show jumper
• Needing determination and tenacity 
• The ability to work hard and learning from different people 
• Building a partnership with a horse
• Figuring out what makes your horse tick
• Making your horses as happy as possible 
• Having a near death experience 
• Breaking multiple bones and damaging internal organs
• Being in a Portuguese hospital and people not realising the severity of the injury
• Bleeding internally