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

Sometimes a major competition doesn’t begin with a starting bell, but with a first careful ride. Just a few days before the CSI4*-W Longines São Paulo, I suddenly found myself standing next to my competition horse Jossete Polana – with no shared history, no real training time, but a very clear goal: to be ready when it mattered. This is exactly where my next chapter with the Global Amateur Tour Brazil 2025 began. GAT Brazil 2025 - CSI4*-W Longines São Paulo Getting to Know Jo

Olá from São Paulo! I’m finally here – in Brazil – with the Global Amateur Tour Brazil 2025 , and the excitement couldn’t be greater. It feels amazing to be part of this international project that gives riders from all over the world the chance to compete at a top level. The highlight of this stage is the CSI4*-W Longines São Paulo – South America’s largest international indoor show jumping competition. GAT Brazil 2025 - CSI4*-W Longines São Paulo São Paulo – Pure Energy Sã

On August 1, it was time once again: as every year, we headed to Mallorca to spend the second half of the year there. Our arrival was originally planned for the evening – but three days before departure, everything changed: My trainer asked me if I wanted to compete with King in the 41st edition of the traditional Trofeo S.A.R. Infanta Elena CSN2*, a prestigious and long-standing show jumping competition on Mallorca. The tournament, named after the Spanish princess Infanta El

From June 28 to July 6, 2025, it was finally time: The South African Youth Championships were on the schedule – nine days full of emotions, competition, and adrenaline. After weeks of preparation, I headed to Johannesburg with White Queen’s Cartier Z and Generation X to compete in Equitation and Show Jumping against the best young riders in South Africa. South African Youth Championships 2025 Equitation – Strong Performance & Team Gold The first competition days were all abou

The time has finally come – on June 26, the next big chapter of this riding season begins: I’m off to Johannesburg to compete at the South African Youth Championships – one of the most exciting and important youth events in the South African equestrian calendar. And honestly? I can’t wait to be part of this incredible show experience! South African Youth Championships 2025 I'm full of energy, full of anticipation – and most of all, full of motivation. It’s going to be a real

From April 11th to 13th, 2025, something truly special was on my calendar: my first European show of the year – the CSN5* Moura Tours in Valencia, Spain. Special? Oh yes – in more ways than one! First, because I spend the first six months of every year living and training in Cape Town – so this was the first time I had ever traveled to Spain, accompanied only by my trainer Cassidy. And second, because I hadn’t ridden my competition horse King since December 2024. Moura Tours