Lawyers spend a lot of time discussing complex cross-border matters, legislative updates and business development. But what lies beyond the lawyer? What are their passions, hobbies and interests?

This month, we get to know Olivia Mulvany, Senior Associate at Broadfield, who shares how she got involved in the hashtag#equestrian world, what this beautiful and intuitive animal has taught her, and how riding has helped her become a better lawyer.

Photo credit: MudDogs Photography

🏇What drew you to the world of horses?

Although my parents aren’t horsey, one of my aunts is and she used to get my cousins to lead me around on their ponies whenever we visited. That gave me the bug, so my parents started taking me to riding lessons once a week. I rode weekly all throughout my early childhood until I was 10, when sadly my uncle had a serious riding accident and ended up with brain damage. I was always a nervous rider so my uncle’s accident put me off for a few years but I could never stop thinking about horses. Eventually, at 15, I re-started riding lessons and the obsession kick-started back up!

🏇Are you involved in a particular equestrian discipline?

I like to have a go at a bit of everything (living out my ‘pony club’ dreams). My favourite discipline, though, has always been showjumping. I prefer the objectivity of showjumping over the other major equestrian disciplines – there is no opinion involved (unlike dressage or showing): you either cleared the jump / followed the rules or you didn’t! It’s also exciting to watch and the easiest discipline for non-horsey friends and family to understand and follow along.

🏇Horses are known to be incredibly intuitive animals. What has being around them taught you that you can’t learn in a meeting room?

Horses have taught me so much, including many valuable lessons before I ever stepped foot in a meeting room. From an early age, horses teach you discipline, time management, responsibility, awareness, empathy, good sportsmanship and emotional strength. They are truly incredible animals. My current horse has taught me the ability to keep my energy low and calm. Horses can actually hear our heartbeat so being able to stay truly calm and keep my energy low is a key benefit with him. This skill is very useful when attending live negotiations as it helps me stay calm and focussed.

🏇Is there an important lesson riding has taught you that has helped make you a better lawyer?

Networking and people management! For several years throughout my late teens and my early 20s, I escorted group rides for two hours, every Sunday. I have always been fairly shy but being ‘forced’ (in a sense – I did choose to do it) to be in charge of up to 9 people and up to 10 horses, to ensure everyone was safe and following the rules, and to make small talk with those people for two hours every week was a huge boost to my confidence and taught me the art of networking as well as how to manage and interact with different (often larger than life) characters.