Alyssa Matthews: I Want to Ride Every Breed of Horse in the World

Alyssa Matthews was born 34 years ago in Wisconsin, in the Midwestern United States. On the Spanish horse channel, we share her story because it is a perfect example that dreams can come true—if we pursue them with passion and determination!

At just three years old, Alyssa already showed a special love for horses. According to her mother, who recalls the moment every chance she gets: “When Alyssa was three years old at a birthday party, she started telling everyone that she wanted to ride Casper (a pony). That’s why we decided to enroll her in riding lessons.”

Three decades have passed since that family decision, and Alyssa has never stopped riding. A childhood photo reminds her of the moment it all began—the first time she got on a horse.

It was the horse of a cowboy named Ralph, with whom she remains great friends to this day. Ralph was traveling with a group of other cowboys, having ridden more than 70 miles on their way to a rodeo event. Alyssa’s mother, seeing them and knowing her daughter’s love for horses, approached the cowboys. One of them kindly invited little Alyssa to get on his Appaloosa horse.

That simple gesture changed Alyssa’s life forever. From that moment on, she forged a deep friendship with Ralph, who would later give her first horse, Pegasus, when she turned seven.

But not everything fell from the sky. When she decided to start her project, all she had was an idea—and a burning desire to make it happen.

By then, she had already ridden different horse breeds and had found each one unique. A thought kept coming back to her: Why not ride every horse breed in the world? Document every step and turn this into a valuable source of knowledge for the equestrian world.

With that vision came doubts: How can I achieve this? Where will I get the funds to finance it? Until one day, she decided to take the leap. That’s how DiscoverTheHorse was born. Back then, she had no idea how she would fund it—she didn’t even own a video camera. She started with a borrowed GoPro from a friend.

Today, her videos on DiscoverTheHorse have surpassed 7 million views.

1.What initially inspired you to embark on this incredible journey of riding every horse breed in the world?

By the time I was in my teens, I had ridden over 20 different breeds and I started to realize that even within the horse world, many people weren’t aware of just how many unique breeds existed. I met incredible horse owners who were dedicating their lives to preserving and promoting their breeds, yet their stories weren’t widely known.

The idea of riding every breed was something that stayed in the back of my mind for many years. I kept thinking about how amazing it would be to experience and share these breeds with the world. Finally, in the fall of 2017, I decided to turn that idea into reality—and so, the Quest began. It started with a borrowed camera and no idea of how I was going to make it work!

2.As of today, you’ve ridden 132 breeds across 28 countries. Which experience stands out the most, and why?

I love that even after riding 132 breeds, I still get just as excited for each new one. Every single breed has been a unique experience, which really speaks to how incredible horses are around the world. Also—let’s be honest—I’m a total breed nerd!😁

It’s impossible to pick favorites, so I’ll share my most recent experience: riding the Criollo in Argentina at a place called Estancia Ranquilco. We went on an eight-day expedition through the remote wilderness of northern Patagonia. I rode an unbelievably surefooted gelding named Gato, traversing mountains, crossing rivers, and navigating rugged terrain—all in one of the most remote locations I’ve ever been.

Getting there was an adventure in itself—three flights, a five-hour truck ride, and a three-hour horseback journey just to reach the main lodge. From there, we packed up supplies onto pack mules (and one pack horse) and rode even deeper into the mountains. We slept under the stars, using our saddle blankets for extra padding, swam in a high-alpine lake, and shared a traditional Asado with a local gaucho (an Argentinean cowboy). It was an unforgettable, truly epic equestrian adventure.

3.How do you approach learning about each breed, and how do you tailor your riding techniques to different types of horses?

I like to approach each breed with an open mind so I can learn as much as possible about them. I start by reading about them in my breed books and researching them online, but the real learning happens when I’m there in person—talking to the people who own, ride, and breed them. Their firsthand experiences give me invaluable insight into each breed’s history, temperament, and abilities.

And then, my Quest Ride for each breed is where the horse itself becomes my teacher. Every horse offers a new lesson, and I love that—no matter how many breeds I ride, there’s always more to learn.

4.What cultural differences have you encountered when visiting different countries to ride their native breeds? Have you noticed any common threads in the way people connect with horses globally?

Around the world, horses have been bred and developed for different purposes, which means training methods, riding styles, and expectations vary from place to place. But one thing that remains constant is the passion people have for their horses. No matter the country, I’ve seen incredible dedication from breeders, riders, and caretakers who work tirelessly to preserve and promote their native breeds.

One of the most amazing things about horses is their ability to connect people. I can travel halfway around the world, not speak the same language, and yet—through horses—we understand each other.

5.You’ve encountered horses of all sizes and temperaments. Is there a particular breed that surprised you in terms of its personality or characteristics?

I love discovering the purpose behind each breed—why they were developed into the horses they are today. In Spain alone, I’ve been amazed by the unique personalities and characteristics within the different Spanish breeds. Near Doñana National Park, the Marismeño has adapted to life in the marshlands. On the island of Menorca, the Menorquín is trained for a specific style of dressage, and during local fiestas, they perform the “Bot,” rearing up as festival-goers try to touch their chest for good luck—a moment of glory for both horse and rider. In northern Spain, the Pura Raza Gallega is another ancient breed, and some of the horses that live in the mountains year-round have even grown mustaches to help them eat tough, spiny plants. Then there’s the PRE (Pura Raza Española), a horse bred for elegance and royalty. After decades of riding, I personally achieved a lifelong dream of riding single tempi changes on a PRE. And I haven’t even ridden all of the Spanish breeds yet, so stay tuned!

6.As you’ve traveled the world meeting breeders and riders, what’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from the people you’ve met along the way?

Be a life-long learner and enjoy the ride. There’s no single path in the horse world, everyone’s journey is unique. Some people come from generations of equestrians, while others never expected horses to become part of their lives. Be open to opportunities that come up. Be willing to think creatively in order to accomplish your dreams with horses.

7.Riding so many different horses must have its challenges. Have there been any particularly difficult or dangerous moments in your journey, and how did you overcome them?

I never know exactly what to expect when I arrive at a filming session for a new breed. No matter how experienced you are, it always takes time to get to know a horse—especially when working with ones that have little riding experience or have never seen a videographer with a strange camera before! My priority is safety and making it a positive experience for both the horses and the people involved.

Sometimes that means adjusting expectations—spending extra time on groundwork, focusing on what the horse needs rather than what the video needs, or keeping the ride short. A rule I’ve carried with me came from a mounted police officer I filmed with early on in the Quest is: “Horse on bottom, rider on top.”

Simple, but important!

8.What has this adventure taught you about the bond between humans and horses? How has it changed your perception of the equestrian world?

Horses and humans have been connected for thousands of years. While we may not rely on them in the same ways we once did, the bond we share remains just as powerful. Through this adventure, I’ve witnessed incredible partnerships and amazing equestrian traditions. From shrimping on horseback in Belgium to practicing Yabusame (Japanese archery) on the original Samurai Horse, to riding by waterfalls with a herd of loose horses in Iceland—the experiences have shown me that this connection between horse and rider is alive and thriving across cultures.

9.How do you think this journey will influence the way people view and care for horses in the future?

My hope for the Quest is to showcase the incredible diversity of horse breeds, bringing awareness to lesser-known and endangered breeds while highlighting the important roles horses play around the world. By sharing these stories, I want to inspire a deeper appreciation for their history, unique qualities, and the connections they create. I hope this journey encourages equestrians to embark on their own adventures, connect with fellow horse lovers, and support these breeds in a positive and meaningful way.

10.What is your ultimate goal for this project, and how many horse breeding races do you still have to know?

When complete, this will be the largest equine education project of its kind, and I will be the first person in the world to ride every horse breed. Since no one has done this before, a big part of my work is researching and identifying which breeds exist. Some horses are recognized as distinct types but don’t have official registries or studbooks. Based on my research, there are currently fewer than 300 officially recognized breeds. So I am getting close to halfway on my Quest!

(DISCOVER THE HORSE): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxYtWVv4Tk4