In 2014, Bristow became the first British rider to win the Women's FIM Trial World Championship.

[3] She started her international career at the 2006 World Championships, riding to 9th place in the Andorra round at the age of 16.

[citation needed] Bristow signed for the Ossa factory in 2011 and rode to runner up position in the World Championships, a result she repeated in 2012.

[5] In 2020, she became the first female ever to win the prestigious Torrens Trophy Award and made history when she also become the first person to ride into the Royal Automobile Club on two wheels.

In 2023, Emma Bristow finished in 40th place due to mechanical difficulties but again won the MHT Trophy for the "best performance by a lady rider".