zoie Brogdon: Redefining Success in the Equestrian World adn Beyond
A 20-year-old athlete with a remarkable résumé, Zoie Brogdon approaches life and competition with a refreshing viewpoint, prioritizing presence and joy over rigid ambition. she doesn’t discuss the Olympics with the typical fervor, instead focusing on short-term goals and embracing a multifaceted path that extends far beyond the equestrian arena.
At 20, Brogdon already boasts a career’s worth of accomplishments – national titles, groundbreaking achievements, global campaigns, and even collaborations with Beyoncé. Yet, she navigates the world with a grounded ease, unburdened by the need to conform to a single, predefined future.
Brogdon excels in hunter/jumper, an English riding discipline demanding precision, rhythm, and a deep partnership with her horse. Success in this sport isn’t solely about speed or strength, but about timing, restraint, and mutual trust. Each round requires a series of subtle decisions made in motion – knowing when to urge forward, when to hold back, and when to allow the horse to take the lead. This delicate balance, according to Brogdon, mirrors her approach to life itself.
Her introduction to horses was somewhat accidental. Her mother, Tracy, enrolled her in a summer camp hoping to channel her daughter’s energy. The camp trainer quickly recognized Brogdon’s passion,warning her mother,”She really likes this. You’re in trouble because this sport is expensive.”
Fortunately, Brogdon’s family discovered the Compton Cowboys and the Compton Junior Equestrians (CJE) program, providing consistent riding opportunities. However, Brogdon’s initial connection wasn’t forged through competition. “The first time I really felt like this was my thing was cantering bareback in the mountains,” she recalled, describing a liberating moment reminiscent of a movie scene. “I felt free.” While acknowledging she wore a helmet, she emphasized the genuine feeling of connection with her horse in that instant.
That connection, she explained, is a unique experience arduous to convey to those unfamiliar with riding. “it just feels like love,” Brogdon said. “A very special type of love. You don’t talk to this being, but you just know you enjoy it and they enjoy it. You’re just sharing this moment together.”
This experimentation isn’t driven by career ambition, but by a desire for self-revelation. Brogdon approaches comedy with the same openness and curiosity she brings to riding and art, viewing it as another space to explore her full self.
Whether clearing jumps, collaborating on global stages, or stepping into the spotlight with a microphone, brogdon embodies a distinctly Gen Z approach to life – one that prioritizes curiosity over fear and joy over outcome.This generation isn’t necessarily striving for singular definitions of success, but rather building lives that accommodate contradiction, discipline, and play.
When asked for advice to those pursuing their passions, Brogdon’s response was direct: “Do whatever you want to do,” she said. “It’s your life.You’re the only one living it.”
This beliefs is as applicable in the saddle as it is indeed in any other aspect of life. In hunter/jumper, obstacles aren’t meant to be avoided, but approached with intention.Sometimes they’re cleared,sometimes they’re not,but the possibility to circle back and try again always exists.
For Zoie Brogdon, the future isn’t a hurdle to clear – it’s a course, taken at her own pace, one measured stride at a time.
