Originally from New South Wales, Australia, Will followed his curiosity and passion for horses across the world, training and learning in several different countries before eventually establishing himself in Germany.
Today he teaches and works with horses in a way that reflects a thoughtful and refined approach to communication, relationship, and trust. Through his beautiful videos — from the Swiss Alps as a breathtaking backdrop to the dressage arena — Will inspires us to believe that our dreams can become reality.
In this conversation, Will shares what the horse has consistently shown him throughout his journey — insights about behaviour, communication, and the principles he returns to every day in his work. Together we explore what it truly means to build connection with a horse, and what we as riders must first become aware of within ourselves to create harmony in the partnership.
A thoughtful and inspiring discussion for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of horses, horsemanship, and the inner journey of the rider.
Know yourself, know your horse with Will Roger
What if many of the challenges we experience with our horses are not actually training problems, but communication problems?
In this thoughtful conversation, Australian horseman Will Rogers explores the profound relationship between self-awareness, self-trust, and the quality of communication we create with our horses. Drawing on years of experience working with horses around the world, Will suggests that true connection is not something we can force or manufacture through technique alone. Instead, it emerges when the rider develops greater clarity within themselves.
One of the most powerful themes throughout the discussion is the role of self-trust. Will explains that when riders doubt themselves, second-guess their decisions, or lack confidence in what they are asking, the horse inevitably feels that uncertainty. The aids become inconsistent, the communication becomes unclear, and the horse is left searching for answers that the rider has not yet fully committed to themselves. What often appears to be resistance, disobedience, or a lack of connection may in fact be a reflection of uncertainty within the partnership.
Rather than focusing solely on changing the horse, Will encourages riders to become curious about their own internal state. Are we clear? Are we present? Do we trust what we are asking? According to Will, trust begins long before it exists between horse and rider. It begins with the rider learning to trust themselves.
Throughout the conversation, he describes connection as a state of flow — a place where horse and rider move together without unnecessary resistance, tension, or conflict. In these moments, communication becomes effortless because both horse and rider understand their role within the partnership. The horse is free to respond, and the rider is free to listen.
Perhaps most importantly, Will reminds us that horses continually mirror aspects of ourselves that often go unnoticed. By paying attention to the horse’s responses, we are offered an opportunity to better understand our own habits, emotions, and patterns of thinking. In this way, the journey of horsemanship becomes much more than learning about horses; it becomes a lifelong process of learning about ourselves.
As Will so beautifully illustrates, the better we know and understand ourselves, the better we can connect with and understand our horses.
Available on all major platforms (YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify); search ‘The Equestrian’s Inner Life’ and through Pernille’s website.
