The United Derby Team caught up with Tracey Carney to chat about Derby, showjumping and the love of horses! 

Q1: Please give us a short introduction of yourself and your riding history:

My name is Tracey Carney. I’m proud to be a wife, a mom and a professional Showjumper and trainer. I started riding at the age of 7 at a riding school in Centurion near Pretoria. I have been a work rider for many top riders including Barry Taylor, Ronnie Lawrence, Anneli Wuckerpfennig and the Neill family. I received SA Colours twice when competing at the All Africa Games in Algeria and a Tri-Nations competition in New Zealand. I currently have a small yard, Carney Equestrian, in Randjesfontein, Midrand, which is run by our family. I am also a Director of an Equine sales company called SA Sport Horse Network, which I run with my good friend and business partner, Simon Hendry.

Q2: Will you be competing at Derby this year and if so on which horse?

I will hopefully be competing in the 1.40m (Mini) Derby and the 1.35m (Micro) Derby. In the Mini Derby, I will be competing on my super talented mare Callaho L’Amour. She is a 10 year old, owned by Callaho Stud, which I have had the privilege to produce up through the grades. I will be competing on my very special horse, Locarno Nikita in the Micro Derby. He is very experienced at this level and hopefully will enjoy the atmosphere.

Q3: What do you think makes Derby such a magical event? 

There are so many elements that make Derby a magical event. I think most South African Riders dream of crossing the finish line at Derby. It draws an enormous, enthusiastic audience and I believe it is a true test of team work between horse and rider. It requires bravery, trust and hopefully you have luck on your side on the big day! 

Q4: Of all the horses you’ve ever ridden, which would you most like to jump the Derby track on and why? 

I would have to mention two horses here. Firstly my late horse Skippy Z. He was an absolute show-off, the bigger the crowd the better he performed! He unfortunately did not compete in a big Derby due to soundness issues. 

Secondly, Callaho L’Amour (Lilly). She is such a brave mare and definitely has big match temperament.  She can be quite quirky and she is still very green in the 1.40m level but I am excited to see how she handles this experience.

Q5: Describe the first horse/ pony you rode that made you fall in love with the sport. 

My sister had a horse named Apple Country, who lived in our back yard for a short time when we moved from Polokwane to Pretoria. He was so gentle with me, and he and my sister were a huge inspiration to me. 

• If this is the answer, what’s the question?: 
• Midnight: Either party or why can’t I sleep
• Something I would never try/ do! Sky Dive
• The water jump: “Don’t splash”
• That is my dream!  Winning the main Derby

EDITORS NOTE: With all these brave showjumpers jumping such huge fences why are they all too scared to go sky-diving, citing fear of heights?