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

My name is Desiree Davidson and I’m a 37-year-old IT professional and Mom. Riding and horses have been a passion since I was a little girl, and my family – although not horsey themselves – have always been incredibly supportive. 

I juggle a very busy life trying to fit my riding in around my wonderful children as well as my dream job as a Delivery Lead in the IT sector with Mint Group.

My best friend Helen and her mom are probably mostly to blame for my introduction to show jumping as a Junior. I started lessons with her when I was about 13 at Inanda Country Club – the original Derby venue – and since then I have always aspired to be good enough to ride at that level and in the Derby specifically.

Please can you list your achievements/ wins/ titles.

Being a non-professional in the sport and having only one competitive horse, I can’t say that I hold a mass of titles. I won the FEI Gold Tour World Jumping Challenge many moons ago with a plucky TB x Boerperd named Tropical Storm. I’ve won a few Championships included a 1.30m at the Revil WCQ, but I would have to say that my biggest achievement has been getting to the top level of the sport in South Africa. That is something I have always dreamed of, and this year after a lot of hard work, that dream became a reality!

Who will you be competing on for Derby this year? Tell us about him/her. 

My partner-in-crime is a spectacular warmblood gelding named Le Cadeau, bred by the Callaho Stud. He is by Lissabon, out of a Heartbreaker mare. My dad got a touch over excited at an auction in 2014 and bought him. I hadn’t tried him and wasn’t really looking for a horse at the time. He’s absolutely the best horse I’ve ever sat on in every sphere. I’m so lucky to have been on this journey with him for the last 7 years, from the farm to 1.50m! It’s our first year in the big classes.

LC is absolutely beautiful inside and out. A big chestnut with a white blaze and white stockings, he gets attention everywhere he goes. On top of that, he has massive scope and is incredibly brave. Sitting on him gives me such confidence because he never wavers on the approach to any jump – you just know that he’s going to try for you no matter what.

As if a horse could possibly get any better, he is also the ultimate gentleman. I’ve never met a horse who is easier to deal with. He is gentle, kind and loves to cuddle. 

What kind of preparation/ training have you been doing to face the formidable Derby this year, and get your horses ready?

I like to think that running after my kids keeps me relatively fit! Other than that, and riding, I don’t have much time to do anything else for my own fitness. Every now and then I dust off my rowing machine, but I’m not sure if dusting counts toward fitness. In addition, I have been watching as many Derby videos as I can to wrap my head around the course.

For LC, I’ve been focussing on getting his cardio fitness up. We’ve been taking him to the track to get in some hill and gallop work, and will also go to a few different venues with Derby-type obstacles to practice over as we get closer to the show.

As a rider what makes the Derby a unique event for you and your horses? 

Derby really is a special event. I love how it appeals to the equestrian community as well as to the non-horsey public. There is always an electric atmosphere and incredible excitement around it. The type of course and jumps are quite different to what we face in the smaller fibre arenas. There’s a different type of guts required to take on a course like this.

If you could jump the Derby track on any horse from any time period who would the horse be and why? 

What a question! Honestly, I couldn’t imagine tackling the Derby on any horse other than Le Cadeau. We know each other, we trust each other, and what an honour to share another first with him.

Do you have a favourite round/ Derby winner from previous years, and if so what made the round special for you? 

Without a doubt Lindenburg with Gail Foxcroft. I was just starting in the sport when Gail was jumping him in the top ranks – I think he was a favourite for a lot of youngsters dreaming of the big leagues!

That stallion had such an awesome personality and I always marvelled at the relationship he and Gail shared. You could just see from the moment they arrived in the ring that they loved each other and were having the most fun possible. 

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! 

Flatwork: Fitness, flexibility and strength start with flatwork.

The Oxer: I would pick a big oxer over a tall vertical any day of the week!

Something I would never try/ do! Skydiving! My farrier would disagree.

The Water: LC has been trying to teach me how to ride this. I seem to miss every time!

That is my dream!  The Derby!! My lifelong dream has been to compete in this event!!!