Dominey Alexander

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O'LEARY

A TRUE GREAT

Dominey Alexander is well known by most in the equestrian community and with good reason. Excelling in showjumping, dressage and coaching, it seems his list of talents are endless. To mention just a few of his wins over the years would take up far too much space for one article alone, but suffice to say, he has won most of the major showjumping titles at least once, plenty of dressage titles, and his pupils have excelled across the board.

HQ was fortunate enough to have a quick catch-up with Dominey and to find out what his plans are for the next few months.

HQ: Despite the challenges of the last 12 months, what would you say have been your highlights?

Dominey: The last 12 months under COVID-19 have certainly been interesting, although I must say that my horses and, to be honest, those of my pupils as well, actually improved through COVID-19. Not having the competition pressure meant that we had the time to train things properly, and all the time we needed to work on any issues. There was never a rush to quickly get ready for something, and that relaxed the pressure and really benefitted the horses and the training.

Daddy Cool

Hilary O'Leary Photography

HQ: So you have some amazing horses in training at the moment. Can you tell us a bit about them?

Capital Colman

Hilary O'Leary Photography

Dominey: It’s a question really of where to start, so in no particular order, we first have RnR Jelle S. He’s an absolute privilege to ride. He was beautifully produced in Europe. He is super scopey and is just the sweetest and bravest horse. I love riding him, and he has this huge personality that you can’t ignore. I love the fact that when he doesn’t like something, he just tells you. He’s an absolute Ferrari horse.

Then we have RnR Capital Colman. He’s ready to go 1.40m now. He’s very talented – fast, careful, brave, scopey, rideable – he has it all. He’ll hopefully take after his dad (Capital Colnardo currently with Jennifer Gates in the USA), and all indications suggest that he will. Again, he’s a horse with a big personality, and he’s clever – really, really clever. He finds training so easy, and the fact that he knows what you’re asking before you’ve even asked it can make him tricky to work with. You have to be at your best as he gets bored quickly! And he isn’t too interested in the flatwork, but show him a jump and his turbo kicks in. He really is the ultimate athlete.

Then there is Athena who is owned by Simon Murray. I jumped the big Derby with her last year and had one down. She is a wonderful mare, and when you have her on your side, she really fights for you. She tries incredibly hard, and I’m excited for what the future holds with her.

Next, in terms of dressage horses I obviously have Daddy Cool who is by Don Index, out of a Lauries Crusador mother. He’s only seven, but he’s the most unbelievable athlete. He’s in Elementary Medium at the moment and ready to go Medium. It’s so interesting – I worked out the other day that he’s only been to seven shows in his entire life, and at every single one, he’s been amazing, and that’s what has allowed him to rise through the ranks so quickly. Last week at Kyalami Equestrian Park, he achieved 73% in the Elementary Medium, and I hadn’t had the time to train the walk work as I’d been away in Cape Town. He can easily do a Prix St George test at home. He’s remarkable.

Capital Colman

Hilary O'Leary Photography

And then I have Cellehof Totaleur (Toto) – the firebreathing dragon. Karen bred her, and I absolutely adore her. She’s feisty and has the most fantastic ringtemperament. She just has presence – your eyes love to watch her. At under one year of age she won the Supreme Horse of the Year overseas with international judges, which just shows her unbelievable wow-factor.

RnR Jelle S

Hilary O'Leary Photography

HQ: That’s a serious collection!

Dominey: Yes, I’ve ridden a lot of mediocre horses over the course of my riding career and horses that I’ve had to produce to be able to compete at the top levels. Now, I have horses like Daddy Cool and Colman, who are just born athletes. You don’t have to train them. You ask them to jump the jump or do a certain movement, and they can do it. It really is an absolute privilege to sit on horses of this quality.

Capital Colman

Hilary O'Leary Photography

HQ: Tell us about your new horses. We believe there are quite a few moving up through the ranks.

Dominey: So I have two brand new horses, just out of quarantine. One is a colt called Copacabana (by Colestus out of a Lordanus/Perpignon mare), who is just three years old. He was backed in Germany and has been out of quarantine here for six weeks. Luke Compaan is getting him going now, but we’ll take things slowly.

Then I have a brand new horse that I haven’t yet met. I saw a video of him and just knew I had to have him. He’s a seven-year-old called S’Oakley Z by Hunter’s Scendro out of a Larinero/ Kogani II mare. He’s a gelding, and once I’ve got the feel for him I’ll start taking him out to competitions.

Then, I have a Cellehof baby that I’ve very excited about. His name is Cellehof Parelli, and he’s another 3-year old that Luke Compaan has backed for me. He is by Perouge (Lisa Williams’ horse Campbell’s brother, and

Finally, I have a very exciting dressage youngster called DeNiro. He’s again by Don Index out of a mare called Harmony. He’s only four years old, but I think he’ll do well.

HQ: Any big achievements for your pupils that you’d like to mention?

Dominey: All of my pupils have been doing nicely. Ash Healy winning with Hausberger’s Eldo in the World Cup Qualifier at Stokkiesdraai was obviously big. Kelly O’Connor is now overseas, and I’m sure we’ll see great things from her. Charley Crockart is also doing brilliantly. Then we have Lisa Williams who just won the World Cup Qualifier at Shongweni with Campbell. And I must also mention the young rider Thomas Van Rijckevorsel, who at only 16 years old is jumping and winning prizes in the adult 1.35m. All in all, I’m very proud of them all – they’ve been remarkably consistent and ultimately, that’s what counts.

HQ: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given when it comes to horses?

Dominey: The best advice I received is that it takes five years to produce a Grand Prix horse, not five months.

HQ: What piece of advice would you like to impart to young, up and coming riders in the sport?

Dominey: I’d like them to know that it all takes time and lots of tears, but the highs, in the end, are worth it.

HQ: What do you wish you had known when you were just starting your career?

Dominey: I wish I’d know the importance of patience. But, ultimately, patience comes with understanding, understanding comes with experience, and experience comes with resilience. You need to learn these things as you go along. You never stop learning!

HQ: Who are your role models and biggest influences?

Dominey: Gonda Betrix and Rob Hoekstra.

HQ: Are you still as motivated as when you started?

Dominey: Yes, definitely, and now I’ve really got the horses to do something with. I’ve had some very nice horses in my life, which I suppose spoil you and make you set your benchmark higher. Now I’m lucky enough to have a whole string of very talented horses who are all well above benchmark, and that’s hugely exciting.

HQ: Finally, what are your plans for the rest of the year? Can we expect to see you (all being well) at all the big shows?

Dominey: Yes, I’m keen to get the young horses going. We’ll take our time, but hopefully, we’ll get them to the Young Horse Performance Series next year. I then have a personal goal of having my dressage horses at the Advanced level within 12 months. If we can’t do it, it’s not the end of the world, but that’s my goal. Then I’d also like to win a World Cup Qualifier this year with RnR Jelle S and finish somewhere in the top five for the series. Finally, I’d like to try and win Derby with Athena.

THANK YOUS

Dominey would like to thank his sponsors RnR (Natalie and Ross), Darryl at Western Shoppe, Prestige, Pikeur, Samshield, Simon Murray and of course, his wonderful wife, Karen. As Dominey says, ‘Without all of them it just wouldn’t be possible'.