Simone Biles is trading leotards for riding boots. The Olympic gymnast, 28, gave a glimpse inside her workouts these days during her break from gymnastics, telling PEOPLE exclusively that she’s taking on a new sport that requires far fewer flips: horseback riding. And no, she’s not talking about pommel horse, either! Biles is taking horseback riding lessons, a change in pace since stepping back from gymnastics after her four-medal-run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she amassed three gold and one silver.
Why? Because the decorated gymnastic is in her era of balance, which is also the inspiration for her latest collection with Athleta. She’s choosing what she wants to do, rather than what she needs to do to stay in tip-top gymnastics shape. And if she’s not joining her husband, Jonathon Owens, for a Pilates class, the athlete is saddling up. “Other than [Pilates], I really just do my horseback riding lessons. I had one yesterday at 5:30 PM,” Biles tells PEOPLE of her newfound passion. “Usually I have it early in the morning, but since I had calls, we’re like, ‘Let’s do it the night before.’ “
As for how she got into the sport, the 11-time Olympic medalist cited the accessibility to stables now that she and her NFL husband have a newly-built residence in Houston (the couple divides their time between there and Chicago given Owens’ two-year contract with the Chicago Bears).
If you thought Simone Biles could rest easy after conquering gymnastics, think again. The 11-time Olympic medalist isn’t just kicking back—she’s diving head-first into something entirely new and, yes, a little daring. While on hiatus from her beloved sport, she’s taken up a fresh challenge: horseback riding. It’s a shift from flips and vaults to reins and trotters, and it shows there’s more to this athlete than meets the eye. In this article, we’ll explore why this move makes sense for her, how it’s going, and what it might mean for her future.
Why the Break from Gymnastics?
The Need for Balance
After dominating the sport for years and heading into the 2024 Summer Olympics with huge expectations, Biles decided it was time for a reset. She shared that training “24/7” had taken its toll and that she’s making space for well-being, not just performance.
Reconnecting With Life Outside the Gym
Gymnastics shaped most of her life since childhood. Now, with more freedom, she’s reconnecting with other interests, relationships, and experiences — instead of every hour being defined by training schedules.
Strategic Pauses Create Powerful Comebacks
Rest isn’t just quitting—it’s recalibrating. For someone like Biles, taking a purposeful break can mean recharging physically and mentally, preparing her for whatever comes next.
The Daring New Sport: Horseback Riding
The Big Reveal
In a candid interview, Biles revealed that she’s been taking horseback riding lessons. She described stables right next to her home, and she figured — why not?
From Gym Mats to Saddles
It’s quite the transition: from balancing on beams and executing triple twists to learning how to guide a horse. Yet underneath the shift, many of the same themes appear — balance, strength, control.
Why It’s Bold
She called the sport “a little bit daring” because of the unknown factor: “I haven’t had the opportunity to do these because I was always in the gym 24/7.”
The Lessons Begin
She mentions her first lessons happened around 5:30 PM — an adjustment from early-morning training. And she’s not stopping there: she even said she wants to try ice skating too.
What’s Motivating This Shift?
Proximity and Opportunity
Her home in Houston has stables right next door. When the opportunity is literally next door, it’s easier to give it a try. (“It’s literally here,” she said.)
A Desire to Explore
She said she was bored one day and asked herself: “What am I going to do?” So she chose something new. That curiosity is powerful.
Translating Gymnastics Skills
Though the arena is different, the mindset is the same: focus, discipline, fear-management, body awareness. Horseback riding gives some room to apply those in a fresh environment.
Wellness Over Winning (for Now)
Her wardrobe collection with Athleta reflects this new chapter: fitness plus wellness, versatility plus joy. She’s choosing what she wants to do, not what she has to do.
The Challenges of Switching Sports
The Learning Curve
Though she’s an elite athlete, Biles admitted: “It’s tiring… I feel like it’s a Mustang” while on horseback. The metaphor speaks volumes: the horse feels wild, unpredictable.
Fear of the Unknown
Interestingly, when asked about trying “vaulting on horseback” (basically combining gymnastics on a moving horse) her instinct: “Absolutely not… it’s too dangerous.” She knows her limits.
Physical vs Mental Shift
Riding a horse engages different muscles and requires different rhythms than floor routines. Mentally, it demands patience — things go slower, you adjust, you learn.
Accepting the Beginner Role
For someone used to being the best in the room, starting fresh can feel vulnerable. But she appears open to it, which is inspiring.
What This Means for Her Legacy
Redefining What Success Looks Like
Biles isn’t just about medals and podiums anymore—she’s about growth, balance, fun. This shift adds depth to her story.
Inspiring Others to Try Something New
When someone at her level says “I’m going to try this new thing,” it gives permission to everyone: you don’t have to stick to one path, you can evolve.
Staying Relevant in Unexpected Ways
Even while away from high-level competition, she’s showing up—with freshness, authenticity, and a new narrative. That keeps her brand and influence alive.
Teasing What’s Next
This break doesn’t necessarily mean retirement. Whether she returns for the 2028 Summer Olympics or pivots to other ventures, this chapter hints she’s writing her own rules.
What We Can Learn From Her Transition
Embrace the Pause
You don’t always need to hustle nonstop. Taking time to reset isn’t defeat—it’s strategy.
Try Something Out of Your Wheelhouse
Stepping outside comfort zones unlocks fresh energy and growth. Even the greatest athlete can pick up a new hobby.
Balance Is More Than Physical
For Biles, this is both a physical and mental shift. Wellness requires both.
Respect Your Limits While Pushing Boundaries
She’s daring, yes—but also smart. She knows “vaulting on horseback” isn’t for her right now. That kind of self-awareness matters.
Celebrate Movement, Not Just Performance
Switching sports doesn’t always mean winning golds—it can mean discovering joy in motion, curiosity, and new experiences.
The Horse-Riding Experience So Far
The First Lessons
She recently completed her first lesson and rated it 8/10. One of the funniest moments? Getting stuck coming off the horse — the “Queen of Flips” nailed it anyway.
The Horse and the Gymnast
She joked that she felt like the horse was going “so fast,” even when it wasn’t. That honest moment reveals the humanness behind the superstar.
The Plan Going Forward
She’s not just horsing around (pun intended). Biles mentioned her goal is to learn how to jump. That gives a horizon, a purpose.
What She’s Skipping
No gymnastic vaulting on horseback for now. She’s resisting the urge to turn this into a stunt and is allowing the ride to be about learning. Smart.
The Broader Wellness Narrative
Movement as Exploration
She’s redefining physical activity: not just about medals, but about discovery. Riding becomes metaphor for life: holding the reins, facing the unknown.
Mental Rest and Joy
The shift to horseback riding aligns with a broader movement in sports: emphasizing joy, mental health, and long-term fulfillment over short-term results.
Lifestyle Over Label
Biles the gymnast remains, sure—but now, Biles the rider, Biles the explorer, Biles the human taking a breath. That transformation resonates deeply.
The Role of Community
Her stables neighbor, her home setting, her access—this shows how environment and opportunity shape the story. Sometimes change starts at your doorstep.
What’s Next for Simone Biles?
Will She Return to Competitive Gymnastics?
No official decision yet, but the possibility for the 2028 Olympics remains on the table. For now, she’s enjoying her freedom.
Expanding Interests
Ice skating was mentioned. The sport-switching may not stop at riding. She’s curious. That’s exciting.
Potential Influence Off the Mat
As she explores new arenas, she could redefine what athlete life looks like: one where transition is celebrated, not feared.
Legacy Beyond Medals
One day, fans may not remember just her vaults and floors—but also the courage to step off the familiar and explore something entirely new.
Why This Story Resonates
We All Need a Change Sometimes
Whether you’re an Olympian or working a 9-5, there’s something in this story for everyone: the courage to pivot and try something new.
The Human Behind the Icon
We don’t just see medals; we see a person who gets bored, curious, willing to laugh, admit fear, learn. That connection matters.
The Power of Reinvention
The narrative says: you’re more than your title. Today you’re one thing, tomorrow something else. That shift is hopeful.
Joy in the Journey
It’s not always about the destination. For Biles, the ride—the horse, the lesson, the stumble—is part of the story. So are we.
Conclusion
To sum up: Simone Biles is showing us something powerful. She’s telling us that even the greatest among us can take a pause, try something unfamiliar, embrace failure, find joy in the process—and emerge with a deeper sense of self. Her pivot to horseback riding during her gymnastics break is more than a hobby—it’s a metaphor. For everyone watching her journey, the message is clear: you don’t have to stay in the same lane forever. The reins may feel foreign at first, the horse may feel wild, but the ride might just teach you something your old routine never could.
