From São Paulo to Valencia: Learning from Charlie Bays at the MET

Sometimes, the equestrian world feels surprisingly small. Connections that start on one continent suddenly reappear months later somewhere completely different - and often at exactly the right moment.

Last August, during my time with the Global Amateur Tour in São Paulo, while searching for suitable competition horses, I happened to meet South African rider Charlie Bays during a stable visit. At the same time, he was competing at the CSI4*-W Longines São Paulo, and I was lucky enough to receive some coaching from him over that weekend.

Fast forward to now - and once again, a coincidence brought us back together. During the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Oliva, Valenica (Spain), Charlie was also there, preparing for the upcoming season in Europe. Between the two competition weekends, I had the opportunity to train with him again - two intensive and incredibly valuable days.

What makes this even more special is that Charlie is currently preparing for the biggest stage in our sport this year: the World Championships in Aachen.

Mia Lerchl and Charlie Bays with O'Brian van Rinsma State

A Short Chat with Charlie Bays

Mia: You’re currently preparing for the World Championships in Aachen – what does that mean for you right now?

Charlie: Last year I qualified for Aachen in Brazil, which was a really important milestone for me. At the moment, I’m in Europe and fully focused on preparing for the World Championships in August. The goal is to be in the best possible shape – both for myself and the horse – when it comes to such a major championship. If we have enough riders, we’ll compete as a team, which is always a great experience and responsibility. Otherwise, I’ll be competing individually, but either way, it’s a huge opportunity and something I’m really looking forward to.

Charlie: Do you want to hear my impressions of training with you?

Mia: Yes, sure.

Charlie: You are very focused and dedicated in your work. You approach every session with a clear mindset and a willingness to improve, which is exactly what you want to see as a trainer. You listen carefully, apply feedback quickly, and you are very consistent in your riding. That kind of attitude makes a big difference over time and is key to progressing in the sport.

Mia: Thank you for your kind words – that really leaves me a bit speechless. But how would you assess my abilities and future potential?

Charlie: You are definitely a very skilled rider. You already have a strong foundation, a good feel for the horse, and a natural understanding of the sport. What stands out is your balance, your control, and the way you communicate with your horses. With continued experience, the right horses, and consistent training, you have all the potential to reach the highest level of the sport.

Mia: Do you want to hear my future goal?

Charlie: Absolutely.

Mia: To participate in the Olympic Games. And not only participate – to win the gold medal.

Charlie: That’s ambitious. But dreams are there to be turned into reality. 

Mia: Indeed. What do you think about my two horses, King and O’Brian van Rinsma State?

Charlie: I really enjoyed working with both of your horses. They are well schooled, rideable, and have a very honest attitude, which is incredibly important in this sport. They both show a good level of quality and competitiveness, and you can feel that they are willing to do their job. With the right management and continued development, they are definitely horses you can be competitive with at a higher level.

Learning from Experience at the Highest Level

Training with a rider who is actively preparing for the World Championships in just a few weeks gave me a completely different perspective on my daily work. The focus, precision, and clarity in communication become even more important - and that was exactly what defined our sessions.

For me, it wasn’t just about improving technical details in the saddle, but rather about gaining a deeper understanding of the basics through focused flatwork. Since we wanted to avoid overworking the horses between the competition weekends, we concentrated on exercises from the ground. It was about refining communication, improving responsiveness, and reinforcing trust and relaxation. These small details in the daily work form the foundation for everything under saddle, and ultimately make a real difference in performance.

Both King and O’Brian van Rinsma State benefited a lot from this as well. With their solid education and natural competitiveness, they gave me a great feeling throughout the training and showed once again how much quality they both have.

I’m really grateful for Charlie’s time, input, and support during the MET, and I’m excited to follow his journey towards the World Championships in Aachen.

P.S. That’s how the horses and I felt after training.