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

Wife to Barry and Mom to Ashlee. Together Barry and I own and manage Farnham Stables.

I’m a Virgo and will shortly turn 46 years old. 

I’m a Protea show jumper. My first ever Derby was at Inanda in 1998, as was my first ever World Cup qualifier. Both were jumped on my little 15.2h thoroughbred chestnut mare, Rhythm of the Wind. I’ve been lucky enough to ride many talented horses since her – each one making me a better rider and horsewoman.

Who will you be competing on for Derby this year?

 Amor Warande Z is my ‘big’ horse but I’m still undecided whether he will jump the big one or the Mini derby this year.

You have been a Derby regular for some years now. What do you think makes Derby an event that has stood the test of time? 

I think you benchmark your ability as a show jumper on how well you do in the Derby – the year I won it, I felt like I’d finally ‘arrived’ (never mind that I had already represented SA).

And certainly the crowds that attend Derby Sunday add to the magic of the class – it’s fabulous jumping for packed stands!

Of all the horses you’ve ever ridden, which have you must enjoyed jumping the Derby track on and why? 

That would have to be Greet a Star – my Derby winner. At the time I never realised how easily he cantered around the course to jump clear. It’s a daunting, and extremely long track and that little dark bay thoroughbred cantered around like it was a 1.20m track. It’s never been quite as easy on any of my other horses since, not even on the 2.05m 6-bar specialist, Nabab Forever who was on the podium the 2 years I rode him.

How do you prepare yourself and your horses for Derby?  

At least 3 months before the show, the horses’ cardio is increased – we have a canter track on our next door property which is about 800m. The horses usually do track work once a week as a general program. If we are training for Derby we will add at least one extra track day and the canter work will be increased.

I try and get to the gym to do cardio in prep for my derby ride. Pre COVID I would usually gym at least twice a week, and then for Derby prep I would try and get there 4 times a week. This year I have been with a Biokineticist all year which has really helped my strength (as well my online yoga classes) but will need to physically get into the gym to do some cross trainer work too. 

Q6: If you weren’t a showjumper what sport would you do? 

I love to walk – so hiking or mountain biking.

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! 

The St Johns Cross: Daunting jump if you have a horse that hangs his legs.

Jogging: Not my forte.

Something I would never try/ do! Sky diving!

The water jump: Very easy to fall in! 

The thing I am most excited to still do!  Visit the gorillas.