• Derby Winner 2019 on Back on Track Clouny 3
• Derby Winner 2020 on Back on Track Clouny 3
• Entrant into United Derby 2021
• Q: Has winning Derby always been on something you’ve wanted to do? 

A: Yes I think as a South African rider one always has Derby as a ‘must compete in’ and we would all love to win it one day! It’s unique in SA, the course is technical and challenging, and it attracts the biggest crowd of any showjumping event in SA by far, around 6000 people. The vibe and feel on the big day of derby is certainly one of a kind in SA!

• Q: Tell us about the beautiful and talented Back on Track Clouny 3. 

A: Clouny 3 is a Holstein gelding that is owned by Linda Ellerine. He was originally bought for Rogan Asken who competed on him to1.40m. After Rogan retired from competing I was lucky enough to be offered the ride on him.

Clouny at a glance seems calm and docile but is in fact very sensitive, powerful and has a lot of scope. He has an amazing work ethic and loves to please. I truly love competing on him as the size of the jumps doesn’t really matter to him! Clouny, stable name Frikkie, can fit more carrots into his mouth at one time that any other horse I’ve known….. maybe around ten, it’s quite impressive!” 

• Q: What’s the difference between preparing to win Derby and preparing to compete for the first time?  

A: I think the difference between being a derby competitor and a derby winner is that if it’s your first time or two, all you really want to do is finish, so you may be happy with 2 or 3 down. As a first attempt this is really good and one can build on it. 

As a derby winner I think one has complete trust in the horse’s experience of doing it before as well as the rider’s previous experience. The fact that the horse is unlikely to be surprised by anything counts for a lot and allows the rider to focus even more on each jump. The Derby winner also can focus more on wind fitness and doesn’t have to over train all the obstacles before-hand which means that they can arrive at the show feeling fresh!

• Please give us a short introduction of yourself and your riding history:

My name is Rainer Korber and I am a 39 year old SA showjumper born and bred in Johannesburg, Gauteng. I grew up in the south of Johannesburg and moved to Kyalami at the age of 12. I competed in Childrens but never in Juniors. In 2003 I rode overseas with Ben Maher and the Clarke’s in Ireland.

•  Will you be competing at Derby this year and if so on which horse/ horses?

 Yes I am riding Back on Track Clouny 3 in this year’s big Derby. I am also riding Back on Track Sheldon in the Mini Derby. Both horses owned by the wonderful Linda Ellerine from Back on Track.

•  As a returning winner (especially as last year’s winner!) do you feel additional pressure for this year?  

There certainly will be pressure as last year’s winner due to the fact that there have been back to back winners quite a few times. 

• What’s (technically) the hardest fence on the course, and how do you approach it? 

I think the bank leading to the planks below is the most technical. You have to break your rhythm and come out of the canter into a trot and then slowly walk/slide down the bank ¾ of the way before jumping off to find the most ideal two stride distance to the planks.

• Describe the first horse/ pony you rode that made you fall in love with the sport. 

The first proper pony I had was named Crowning Story. We got her off the track and I produced her to CB in those days. It was special as I made her into quite a good show jumper and I enjoyed her a lot.

• Of all the horses you’ve ever ridden, which would you most like to jump the Derby track on and why?

I still think that so far Clouny is the best candidate as he has loads of scope and doesn’t mind all the funny things. He also enjoys the big open space in the Bob Charter.

• How do you think we can grow the sport in SA, and what do you think is holding it back from being a Top 10 sport in SA? 

I think the sport needs to be punted/advertised more to the public again like in the old days, more exposure on television for example.

• Do your kids ride, and will you be encouraging them to compete? 

My kids Joshua (5) and Lilly (7) do ride. Josh doesn’t really show much interest at the moment but Lilly absolutely loves it. She has her own pony called Bumble Bee that she rides most days, and she also goes for a riding lesson every Monday at Pinecone Stables. Jeanne and I believe that they will find what they love so we encourage them and then we will see if they like to compete or not in time.

• If this is the answer, what’s the question?: 

So for example I say 5am in the morning, and you say My least favourite time of day! 

• Midnight: Name of a famous school pony I used to ride when I rode with Felicia Rowan
• The Bank: complicated! 
• Something I would never try/ do! Gambling is something I would never do.