Driven by Passion

Sometimes, the equestrian world feels surprisingly small. Connections that start on one continent suddenly reappear months later somewhere completely different - and often at exactly the right moment. Last August, during my time with the Global Amateur Tour in São Paulo, while searching for suitable competition horses, I happened to meet South African rider Charlie Bays during a stable visit. At the same time, he was competing at the CSI4*-W Longines São Paulo, and I was luck

Two weeks at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Oliva, Valencia (Spain) – a journey that once again showed me how much this sport is about adaptation, mindset, and continuous development. Spring MET 2026, Valencia, Spain - Bronce 1.20 m Coming from Cape Town, I arrived without any prior training with my two horses King and O’Brian van Rinsma State. Both horses are based in Mallorca, and I usually ride them only between August and December. The last time I had been in

With the retirement of Generation X, not only has something very special come to an end - it also marks the beginning of a new era for me here in South Africa. March turned everything upside down. Plans changed, routines shifted, and suddenly nothing was as it had been before. A new stable, a new coaching team, a new horse. None of it was planned. But looking back now, I can say: it’s exactly how it was meant to be. Damian Stevens, Tamaryn Burton-Moore, Mia Lerchl and Ivan va

There are those special horses in a rider’s life that are so much more than just sport partners. Horses that shape you, help you grow, and accompany you on your journey. Generation X is exactly that kind of horse for me. At the beginning of April, she will retire – a well-deserved rest after a remarkable journey together. And even though I know it’s the right decision, letting her go is incredibly difficult. Generation X Our Journey Together I got Generation X in 2022, when I

Some weekends are quiet – and precisely for that reason, deeply meaningful. They come without big stages, packed arenas, or podium finishes. And yet, by the end, you can feel that something has changed. That is exactly how this weekend felt to me. My first clinic with Chad Cunningham, known for developing riders from junior equitation through to FEI-level performance, was far more than just a training session. It was an intense insight into another way of working – precise, h

Sometimes it’s not the big arenas, the packed grandstands, or the podium finishes that are most memorable. Sometimes it’s a quiet training day – just the horses, a single jump, and that one feeling that something truly special is happening. That’s exactly how my final training session in 2025 on Mallorca felt. King, Mallorca, Spain - 1.55 m Reaching New Heights In this last training session of the year, I approached something with both of my horses, King and O’Brian, that for

From November 28 to 30, 2025, the Balearic Show Jumping Championships returned to Mallorca - and for me, they carried a special kind of pressure and excitement. I competed as the defending champion in the Children 1* category and was determined to deliver another strong performance with King. What followed were three days of intense focus, thrilling rounds, and a final that left everyone breathless. Balearic Championships 2025 - Children 1* 1.10 m Class A Confident Title Defe

What a weekend! From November 7th to 9th, I had the chance to compete with King at the CSN4* Ciudad de Sevilla – one of Spain’s most beautiful and traditional tournaments, held alongside the Cto. España Veteranos. But actually, the adventure started much earlier – with a lot of uncertainty. CSN4* Ciudad de Sevilla, Spain - 1.30 m Class A Week of Waiting – Then the Relief Until Monday, November 3rd, it was still unclear whether King and I would even be allowed to start. We wer

From October 3rd to 5th, I had the opportunity to compete with King in the Complementarias classes at the 1.20 m height as part of the Ctos. de España de Saltos during the renowned Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera. Three exciting competition days filled with sunshine, a great atmosphere, and top-level show jumping! Ctos. de España de Saltos, Complementarias, Sunshine Tour Solid Starts and Consistent Performance The start of the tournament went exceptionally well. King wa