Cover White buffalo leather seating and soft grey quarter-cut ash veneer create a refined living space in the horsebox that feels more like a private club than mobile accommodation
White buffalo leather seating and soft grey quarter-cut ash veneer create a refined living space in the horsebox that feels more like a private club than mobile accommodation
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London design studio Thorp transforms a horsebox into a mobile home for extended equestrian tours, complete with white buffalo leather interiors and expandable living areas
Barbara Hester’s horsebox presents a sleek, deep midnight blue exterior that hints at the calm and elegance within. Step inside and you’ll find white buffalo leather seating and soft grey ash veneer that create a space feeling more like a private club than a mobile stable.
The former investment banker-turned-showjumper has spent weeks at a time on the equestrian circuit, and her solution to the accommodation problem represents a significant paradigm shift. Rather than endure the typical cycle of hotels and long commutes to venues, she commissioned the London-based design studio Thorp to create what amounts to a mobile home that can sleep up to eight people and also transports six horses.
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Above The sleek midnight blue exterior of Barbara Hester’s bespoke horsebox, designed by London studio Thorp in collaboration with Oakley
The sleek midnight blue exterior of Barbara Hester’s bespoke horsebox, designed by London studio Thorp in collaboration with Oakley
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“I’ve worked with this particular client for many moons,” says Philippa Thorp, the studio’s founder, whose previous projects with Hester have ranged from a “shoebox-sized dressing room beneath a London garden flat to sweeping country estates.” When Hester called about the horsebox, Thorp knew precisely what she’d be after: “that sense of lived-in, effortless elegance.”
The resulting project was a ground-up build rather than a conversion, which allowed for what Thorp calls “spatial choreography.” The living area extends on both sides when stationary, whilst the bathroom “outboards” to double in size. Every element had to function whether the vehicle was hurtling down a motorway or parked at a competition venue.
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Above The horsebox’s elegant exterior finish hints at the luxurious interiors within, created for extended equestrian tours
Above Purpose-built storage compartments house equestrian equipment, demonstrating the thoughtful integration of functionality within the luxury design
The horsebox’s elegant exterior finish hints at the luxurious interiors within, created for extended equestrian tours
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The material choices tell their own story. White buffalo leather might seem an unlikely choice for a space that deals with muddy boots and outdoor life, but it’s surprisingly practical, requiring only “the occasional wipe-down.” The walls feature a combination of soft grey quarter-cut ash veneer and hard-wearing Amtico flooring, while a mix of white Alcantara and Angora leather adds texture to the walls and ceiling.
For Hester, who describes her need for “a space that would also serve as a comfortable residence during long tours,” the investment has transformed her approach to competition. “It eliminates the need for commuting between venues and hotels, and allows me to remain close to the horses and the action at all times.”
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Above White buffalo leather seating and soft grey quarter-cut ash veneer create a refined living space in the horsebox that feels more like a private club than mobile accommodation
White buffalo leather seating and soft grey quarter-cut ash veneer create a refined living space in the horsebox that feels more like a private club than mobile accommodation
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The social aspect has proven equally important. “Being able to host friends and fellow riders in a warm, private setting just steps from the stables allows for more intimate and authentic connections,” she explains. The professional-grade barbecue receives regular use during long tours, when the horsebox often serves as the hub for group dining.
Technology plays its part too. With thousands of attendees at major events, conventional internet becomes overwhelmed, so the horsebox includes Starlink connectivity. A large built-in screen streams competition footage directly from the arena - useful both for entertainment and for reviewing performance. The addition of a discreet Union Jack satellite dish adds what Hester calls “a charming touch of personality.”
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Above The interior combines a fully equipped kitchen with comfortable seating areas, featuring hardwearing Amtico flooring designed to withstand muddy boots and outdoor life
The interior combines a fully equipped kitchen with comfortable seating areas, featuring hardwearing Amtico flooring designed to withstand muddy boots and outdoor life
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The technical achievement extends beyond comfort to encompass complex engineering requirements. Everything must function seamlessly, whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion—a challenge that requires what Thorp calls “technical finesse meets interior design.”
The project sits within a broader trend among ultra-high-net-worth individuals who increasingly demand bespoke solutions for specialised lifestyles. The equestrian market, with its demanding travel schedules and community-oriented culture, presents particular challenges that conventional luxury goods simply cannot address.
Above The sleeping quarters feature white Alcantara and Angora leather wall coverings, with strategic lighting that adapts the mood from dawn to dusk
The sleeping quarters feature white Alcantara and Angora leather wall coverings, with strategic lighting that adapts the mood from dawn to dusk
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As Thorp puts it: “The goal is to understand how the client wants to live truly.” In this case, that meant creating a space that could support a six-week stint on the road without ever feeling like a compromise. The horsebox has become, in Hester’s words, “more than a means of transport - it is a retreat, a social space, and a quiet luxury that supports both the rigours and the pleasures of equestrian life.”
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
