French Dressage Olympian Jessica Michel-Botton Plays Horse Ball

Focus

F.O.C.U.S.

French 2012 Olympic dressage team rider Jessica Michel-Botton has waded into new territory: horse ball. The dressage rider played her first national show in in Lamotte-Beuvron on 15 - 17 May 2026.

Michel-Botton has 32 French champion's titles to her name across the levels in dressage, but since the closure of the dressage department at Haras de Hus in 2024 and the sale of her last FEI horse Djembe de Hus, she has disappeared from the international show scene in 2025 although she continues to train dressage horses.

A Family Affair in Horse Ball

Married to Belgian show jumper Gilles Botton, Jessica is mother to two sons. Her eldest Tom (10) picked up horse ball and inspired his mother to join.

“When he started riding in 2021, a horse-ball training session was held alongside his lessons. We found the sport very playful and fun, and it made him want to try it," said Jessica. The following year, Tom joined a team and participated in his first major competition, the French National Team Equestrian Sports Championships, in May 2023. Jessica and Gilles had a real epiphany at this show. “We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the event as well as the discipline. My husband and I said to each other: next year, we'll come back, but on horseback!” , recalls the rider.

Side Quest

The parents both started playing horse ball in September 2025, just as a fun side quest.

"There are horseball courses geared towards leisure, where riders don't compete. I find that participating in “official” matches immediately provides more motivation. You learn the rules, you feel the pressure, and you really face off against others. When you only train at your club, you sometimes tend to overestimate your level and think you're the best riders in the world! Competition spices up the game and gives another dimension to the sport."

Team Spirit

Michel's top horse was Riwera de Hus whom she rode at the London Olympics, 2013 Europeans and 2014 World Equestrian Games on Team France.

Team spirit in horse ball is different though. "I’ve participated several times in team dressage competitions, but it remains an individual sport," said Jessica. "On the field, we’re alone with our horse. It’s incomparable to horseball, where four people play at the same time."

Game Time in Lamotte Beuvron

Competing in Lamotte Beuvron was a blast. For four years she supported her son at this game; this year she also competed herself.

"During the first match we were down by two goals at halftime. A team mate was already talking about defeat. I explained to him that nothing was decided yet. It's like in dressage, a canter stride in the middle of a trot doesn't mean you can't continue. You have to give it your all until the end, and that's what allowed us to win this match. I know we're here to have fun, and having competed a lot helps me stay focused," she said.

It remains to be seen whether the adventure will continue next year. “It’s primarily a question of investment and time, but if my husband and I can continue, we will,” she concludes. One thing is certain: the dressage rider has found in horseball and the Grand Tournament a new arena for expression, where enjoyment takes precedence over performance.