Tell us about yourself: Where were you born, pet hates, family life, biggest loves (other than horses)?

My name is Jade Coetzee, I am 18 years old and was born in Springs. I am the eldest of 3 children. All 3 of us ride under the Rotoflo banner, with the support of my Grandparents, Clive and Sharlee. Both my Grandparents rode as well as my mom. So, a person could say its in my blood. One of my loves outside of riding is to achieve academically. Even though I have long legs and appear athletic, I am definitely not! I am not fast and cannot catch a ball to safe my life.

What gets you up in the morning / what motivates you / keeps you going?

A good cup of coffee and a warm shower definitely gets me going in the morning! Sometimes it can be very difficult to motivate myself to get up and concur the day, but I am very lucky to have a good friend and a support system that loves me, they are my main source of motivation!

What is the best bit of advice you’ve ever received – and how has it helped you in life?

The best advise that anyone has ever given me is : “if you cant be good, be good at it”. This piece of advice my grandpa gave me, it motivates me to do my best at everything I do.

Tell us about your favourite horse: Name, breed, reason why favourite, successes, qualities, nickname, your journey with him/ her?

I don’t have a favourite horse, I love them all equally. They all have different and have their own quirks. Rotoflo Ciao Z , a warmblood mare, is a bit like a “bull in a china store” to ride, but yet she is the most empathetic horse in the stable …. Towards me at least . She is a chestnut mare with 4 white socks and a full white blaze, but as sassy as she is I wouldn’t trade her for the world. Rotoflo Catinio is just amazing! He is a Hanovarian and his stable nickname is Clause. He is the most honest horse I have ever ridden and is so well schooled, thanks Dom and Lisa. He is my school master and never have to stress about anything with him. He is one of those horse that you can get on and just know it’s going to be a great round. He can also be very spooky, he always looks at something and sometimes it feels like you are leopard-crawling backwards.

Talk to us about coming back from a fall/ failure/ loosing a ride or horse. How do you cope with the downs, and how do you pick yourself up?

Coming back from a bad fall, is very difficult. This sport is very much a mental game and you have to be strong. Losing a horse is very hard and it takes a lot to keep yourself together, but time will heal. From time to time I do go to a sports psychologist because riding is much a mental sport and you have to be in the right head space. You need to shine your light brighter than the darkness outside.

Please give some tips on how you juggle a busy life – what have you learnt about yourself/ what do you know about yourself, that helps you to cope and keeps your energy up?

Take your day step by step. It definitely helps to plan out your week to make sure you get everything done. I am currently busy with my As Levels , and it is a lot to juggle with riding. One thing I have learnt is to give yourself a break every now and then, to avoid a burn out.

What fence / line in the main Derby do you think is the most difficult & why?

I think the end of the track is the most difficult part. The derby track is not like a normal showjumping track, it is so much longer and in the Bob Charter arena which can be quite busy and spooky. There are up-hills and down-hills , the steps The horses have to be so fit and the Derby track is huge and intimidating.

Who are your rides for this Derby – names and in what classes as well as their qualities and expectations of each horse/ pony.

My Ride for Derby is my Red-Head mare, Rotoflo Ciao Z. I am not expecting to win the class but to gain experience and work my way up to the top.

Do you have anything to say to the new sponsor, United Aviation Group?

To our new sponsor United Aviation Group , Thank you so much for sponsoring this show, and making it possible for this epic show to happen! It is much appreciated and I hope you have an amazing time at this show