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

I grew up in Stellenbosch and developed a passion for horses and show jumping at a young age. I moved up to Johannesburg at 19 yrs old for a gap year to explore the show jumping competition circuit a bit before starting my studies. Little did I know that this would just further ignite my passion and determination to become a top show jumper! 

Who will you be competing on for Derby this year, and what outcome are you hoping for? 

I will be competing on Style Fragrance’s Callaho Lexington. It is our first time competing in the big Derby so we will just be hoping to see the finish with a good confident round! 

I am also riding Your Perfect Africa’s La Mina Z in the Mini Derby.

Is it a good or bad thing being married to last year’s winner? Any additional pressure, or inside info that you think help or hinder your prep? 

Ray has loads of experience with the Derby so he gives me a lot of confidence and re-assurance that I will be ok   There is always extra pressure for this show as the Derby is the main event on the calendar with more spectators than any other show and I think most show jumpers dream of competing in the Derby one day. 

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

Definitely Lexington as we know each other so well and he is brave, scopey and genuine! I have ridden/produced Lex for 6 years now so I really trust and know him.

There is that special horse we have or ride when we start out, the one that makes us fall in love with riding and horses and this whole equine world. What horse was that for you?

 I had a wonderful thoroughbred called Formaxe, which I had from when he was 4 yrs old and I was 12 yrs old. We had the best times together from playing games on pony camps, to attempting eventing (he did not like this at all), to having races on the farm with friends and then also starting with show jumping. He really loved to jump which is what started my passion for show jumping! We had a great junior career and then moved to Johannesburg where we eventually competed in the big classes together. He took me around my first SA Championships, Grand Prixs, World Cups etc and we did the Mini Derby twice, but unfortunately we never got to do the big Derby as he passed away just before in 2006. 

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: Sleeping
The Bank: Very scary
Something I would never try/ do! Skydiving
The Dyke: Sit up!!
That is my dream!  To win Derby