The Way to the Top

Spotlight on up-and-coming stableyards

With Nicole Horwood, Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos, Dominey Alexander and Ronnie Healy

To get to the top, there has to be something special about a horse and rider combination - the connection, the team, the ability, the personality and the training. Here we chat to four riders of Capital Stud horses who have produced their horses all the way up through the grades to the pinnacle of showjumping competition in South Africa – the 1.50m classes.

“I believe that for Levubu the sky is the limit.”

- Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos and Capital Levubu

BRONWYN MEREDITH DOS SANTOS

• What do you believe are the key elements of success in this sport? You need good horses, and you need to be passionate about them. Then you need to be relentless in mastering your craft. To me, success is born of a love of the horse, good work ethic, patience, attention to detail, grit and a great team behind you. • How do you approach the challenge of taking a young horse all the way to a 1.50m class? What is involved? I think you have to approach the production of any horse with patience, with the end goal in mind and with a solid system and plan - but with very little rush. I have learnt it takes as long as it takes and that the reward and joy have to be found in the journey. My obsession needs to be to learn how best to ride the individual horse, in a way that celebrates the best of the horse, and plays to their strengths so that by the time they are in the 1.50m they have huge confidence in their ability to jump anything for me. • What made you choose Capital Levubu? Levubu is quite clearly perfect. My heart was set on him from the moment I saw him as a young horse at the stud. He is the ultimate horse, and it would be impossible for anyone not to choose him every single time. • What are the qualities that make Levubu a successful sporthorse? Levubu’s unrivalled pure talent, intelligence and consistency are his greatest attributes. He is substantial yet light and athletic, which makes him great as a sporthorse. Levubu knows how good he is and loves to show it off. He is the complete package; you name it, he has it - scope, care, courage. It also doesn’t hurt that he is, quite simply, the most beautiful horse! • Do you see any of his sire/dam/dam sire come through in his character/performance? Levubu has a superior pedigree. Notably, he is the spitting image of his stunning sire Cachas and finds extra scope and rideability from his damsire Cassini I. • When you enter the arena, and it’s time to shine, which elements would you say are your strengths? We thrive on rising to the occasion. I find that we are at our best when it matters most; Levubu knows when it really counts and gives it that little bit extra. My greatest strength lies in my relationship with and trust in my horses. I believe this is gained by thorough preparation and taking meticulous care of my horses. I know my horses are the best and that they will give me their all if I earn it. We can tackle any track because I choose to train properly, listen to my coaches and never go into the arena to compete before I truly feel both myself and my horse are ready for that particular event or challenge. It is essential to have your horse on your side and good training will always win out. • Describe Levubu’s personality. Levubu is the king, and he knows it. He is dominant and super sensitive. He does not like being bossed or fussed unnecessarily but loves a quiet cuddle. • When we talk about partnerships, how would you describe your connection with this horse? I love Levubu beyond all sense and reason. It has taken time to build our relationship as he is a breeding stallion and, in all honesty, too much horse for me. I am in awe of him and very respectful of his talent and sensitive nature. I have produced him knowing what a special gift he is, so I negotiate with him rather than demand. While this has meant it has taken a little longer, I feel this has given us a special connection. I ask, and he loves to answer - and he is always right! • When is your horse at his happiest? Levubu is happiest showing off in the prize giving or in his big paddock munching a pile of oat hay. • Can you describe one challenge during the production process and how you overcame it? It has been a challenge for me not to get in Levubu’s way but still maintain rideability. He likes to have the freedom to use his scope, stride and power, but I also need to be able to ride him correctly around a technical track. We manage this ongoing challenge with diligent flat work and a dedicated system. Levubu is impeccable on the flat, which translates into my ability to jump him easily.

• What has been your proudest moment so far? Every time I get to jump Levubu is an unbelievably proud moment for me. The privilege of being his friend is indescribable. I am particularly proud of the partnership we have developed and of our WCQ performances to date. • Where to from here? I believe that for Levubu the sky is the limit, so we will have to wait and see ;) • Who inspires you? I am only inspired by the best. I try to follow the example set by the most consistent riders and those that work the hardest and whose horses seem to like them - because I believe that is the only way to achieve anything. So notably, I would mention Steve Guerdat, McLain Ward and Henrik Von Eckerman.

I will forever chase a better version of myself as a rider. I am obsessed with this. • Do you have a motto or quote that you live by? “Horses never lie” - George Morris. I love this because horses will tell you everything you need to know if you just pay attention.

Or, “the harder I work, the luckier I get” - Samuel Goldwyn. I am proof of this. • Gratitude - who has helped you get to this point? I am so grateful for the incredible horses I have been lucky enough to ride; as a rider, I would be nothing without them. Then, we would never have got anywhere near this point without my team, including my coaches, Gonda Betrix and Chad Cunningham; my hubby Clem (my biggest supporter and sponsor); and my horses’ groom Arnold Nyoni. • Tell us one thing about your horse nobody else knows. Levubu can discern between different perfumes. He definitely prefers some to others and has his favourite.

“He’s brave. He likes to jump. He’s fast.”

- Dominey Alexander and Capital Colman

DOMINEY ALEXANDER

• What made you choose Capital Colman? I loved him at the auction. I liked what he did with his body. I thought he jumped very nicely. We all loved his father (Colnardo), and I quite frankly loved the damline (For Pleasure). I’ve had great success with For Pleasure horses. I went to the World Cup Final, and I won the SA Championships on direct For Pleasure horses, so I liked his pedigree. I was very fortunate that Natalie and Ross were kind enough to buy him at the auction, which was a bit of a surprise as I didn’t know. I had asked them to buy him in the beginning, and then I said that the connection would be Ross as a coal miner and ‘Colman’. But then I came back to them and said, look – don’t buy the horse - he’s going to go for the top price. I was very fortunate as I didn’t know they were bidding on the horse, and I got him a few days later. • What are the qualities that make Colman a successful sporthorse? He has a great temperament and the true definition of blood. You can walk him on a long rein, and he’s not spooky, but I jump him with no spur. He’s not hot, but he’s bloody. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s got a big turbo. People don’t understand when they see him lazily walking along; he’s not at all lazy. He’s also super brave. • Do you see any of his sire/dam/dam sire come through in his character/performance? We all loved Colnardo, and he jumped with endless scope. I think Colman’s got endless scope. I think he can jump anything – I really do. I don’t think he’s even started yet to push. He jumps a little bit like For Pleasure with the neck up a little bit. He’s tight enough in front but could be a little looser over his top line, but that is typical For Pleasure. He’s brave. He likes to jump. He’s fast.

• Describe Colman’s personality? He is the sweetest horse ever. You can walk into the stable when he’s lying down and give him a carrot – he doesn’t get up. He is easygoing. I’m yet to find anything he has a problem with. • When you enter the arena, and it’s time to shine, which elements would you say are your strengths? This is what makes him difficult and easy all at the same time; he has no preference. He jumps beautifully on the fibre; he jumps beautifully on the grass; he’s not at all spooky at any of the jumps; he jumps open water; he jumps everything; he can go fast or slow; he can jump high or wide or both – he can do anything. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve trained him, so I’ve exposed him to everything, so he understands it, but he does understand everything. Has he yet learnt to walk into an arena and grow? Not yet, but he’s going to. He certainly doesn’t walk into any arena and shrink. He’s still in that development process. You know, when you get on a horse, and he canters into the arena, and you know he’s going to jump well? He’s feels just under that level, but he’s always consistently at that same level. There’s no bad day where he canters in, and he’s spooky or tired - that doesn’t ever come into him. He tries very hard in the arena. • When is your horse at his happiest? He loves cantering on the track and he loves to jump and eat carrots. • Can you describe one challenge during the production process and how you overcame it? It’s taken me some time to get to where we are now. I took a long time with him in the beginning because he was very careful and jumped a little too high, so I had to figure him out. I still don’t think I’ve got him at his maximum strength. He’s only 8 or 9 years old, and he’s been very easy as he’s found everything easy. Training him has been uncomplicated, which is actually difficult – I realise that is an oxymoron – but he finds everything so easy that you perhaps don’t do enough, so I’ve had to make the concerted effort of doing it more than I normally would as he got it right the first two times, but I still had to develop his strength and stamina.

• Where to from here? This year he is going to jump the 1.40m Derby. He didn’t jump the Derby last year as there was a lot of rain, and we were worried about him on the surface. The year before, he jumped in the 1.35m Derby and he wasn’t worried about anything. He’s brave! He isn’t quite ready for the big Derby yet, but I think he’ll win the big Derby one day.

He’s also jumped a couple of 1.50m classes this year, so he’ll do a World Cup next year. I don’t think next year will be his time to shine as they need a year in the World Cups to understand the height and width of the fences, but he’ll be okay – he never disappoints me. • Who inspires you? The two most influential jumping people in my life are definitely Rob Hoekstra and Gonda Betrix. I’ve always been a Gonda protégé. I’m a bit old to be a protégé now, but I’ve been with her for a long time, and she’s an amazing task master, and I think she brings out the best in me. It’s lovely for a change that I have somebody on the ground helping me, rather than me being on the ground helping everyone else. • Do you have a motto or quote that you live by? I have a few things that I love to say: “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. I like to cross my t’s and dot my i’s before I enter the arena. I don’t want to leave anything to chance. I am absolutely meticulous about preparation. I check everything myself from how the horses are shod, to the equipment etc.

Then, I also love to say that if it doesn’t work the first time, you’ve got to put your head down and try again because this isn’t an easy sport. What is good today might not always be good tomorrow.

Oh and finally, you must never stop learning. Continued learning in this sport gives you a real performance advantage. • Gratitude - who has helped you get to this point? Without Natalie and Ross, I wouldn’t have the horse. I’m also grateful to Capital Stud who bred him. Then I’m hugely grateful to my wife, always standing next to me and pushing me/kicking me to be better. She has to kick me quite a lot… Then I’d say, Gonda and my grooms. There’s a whole team behind us.

“I immediately knew he was special.”

- Nicole Horwood and Capital Night Star

NICOLE HORWOOD

• What do you believe are the key elements of success in this sport? You definitely need a good work ethic. Consistency is key; there are no shortcuts. Our sport requires hours of training and discipline, and horsemanship and management also play a big role. It is also important to take responsibility for your mistakes but not dwell on them; use them as lessons and move forward. You must also learn to communicate correctly with your horse; 90% of the time, errors made in the ring are human errors and not horse errors. If you accept this, you will go far in the sport. Finally, preparation is key; if you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail! • How do you approach the challenge of taking a young horse all the way to a 1.50m class? What is involved? It’s a long journey that requires time and patience. I’m a firm believer in producing horses carefully until they are 100% ready to be put under pressure. Producing horses is a long-term project, and I believe in slow production so that the tank is full when they get to the top. You will never see me winning classes in the lower grades. Each horse is different, and they develop at different rates, so they need to be treated as individuals; some develop faster than others. • What made you choose Capital Night Star? When I first rode him for the auction videos, I immediately knew he was special. He was so well balanced and easy on the flat. He had such a big jump, I could feel the power and scope, and he was so careful and brave. I made a business deal with friends and sponsors who purchased him for me, and now three years later, we (myself and Capital Stud) have repurchased him. I have sat on some very good horses in my life, but never a horse as scopey and as careful as he is, so I have high expectations of him. • What are the qualities that make Night Star a successful sporthorse? Definitely his attitude, together with his scope and agility. He is brave, super careful and fast. These days it’s not just about scope anymore; it’s also about speed. He has a good work ethic and enjoys his job. This is vital, as, without your horse’s buy-in, they will never be able to reach the top in this very competitive sport. Finally, he is sensitive but always gives his best and wants to please. • Do you see any of his sire/dam sire/dam come through in his character/performance? Toulon offspring are known for their tricky mouths; it has been a challenge finding a bit he is comfortable with but we have made so much progress. Then, I can also see Darco in terms of his scope. Darco was small but extremely scopey and fast; these are definitely traits that have carried through to Night Star. • Describe Night Star’s personality. He is just a big teddy bear. He loves cuddles and always wants to be in your space for some affection. He is a very social horse, and as long as he has a friend, he is happy. His nickname in the yard is Fat Boy Slim, as he gets porky very quickly, so we have to watch how much food he gets. He is a hard worker and has an incredible work ethic, but he is very sensitive. You have to sit very still when you jump him and try not to fiddle too much.

• When we talk about partnerships, how would you describe your connection with Night Star? We trust each other. I think a great advantage has been that I have produced him from the beginning, so we know each others’ strengths and weaknesses and can manage them correctly. I know if he understands what I’m asking, he will give 100% effort. • When is Night Star at his happiest? As long as he has friends around him, he is happy and content. He loves his work and loves to jump • What was one challenge during the production process, and how did you overcome it? Bitting him correctly was difficult. I am still constantly changing and trying new bits, but we have found a few that he is now comfortable in. His full brother is Magic Boy, ridden by Ronnie Healy, and we are constantly swapping notes. • Your proudest moment so far? Jumping in his first SA Champs this year. He had not jumped 1.50m prior to the show, so I really threw him in the deep end. He jumped two amazing rounds with just one silly error. • Where to from here? We are coming up to Derby, so depending on how the qualifiers go, I would like to give it a bash this year in the big Derby. He jumped his first World Cup in July and was placed, so I think he will be a great contender for the series next year.

• Who inspires you? My best female rider is definitely Beezie Madden; she brings on her horses patiently and always makes it look easy. My best male rider is Marcus Ehning, ‘The Maestro’. He rides with such little effort and is so devastatingly fast in jump-offs. • Do you have a motto or quote that you live by? “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t show up.” I am a firm believer in this. If you are determined and willing to put in the hours no matter what sport or area of your life, you will be successful.

• Gratitude - who has helped you get to this point? There are so many that have helped me on my journey. I definitely have a dream team. My coach Gonda Betrix who I have been with for over 30 years, has basically coached me from 1m to the top levels. Then, where would I be without the incredible horsepower that Capital Stud has supplied me over the past 20 years? They have been my biggest supporters through the good times and bad. I’m also very grateful to my long-time groom and right-hand man Elikana Mvula; my unbelievable sponsors, Western Shoppe, United Aviation, Mark White Nissan; and of course, our stable manager, Linda Kirchmann. Lastly, I have to mention my horse of a lifetime, Capital Don Cumarco; he put us on the map and helped me achieve all my dreams in the sport - there is no title he did not win.

• Tell us one thing about your horse nobody else knows. He loves to nibble on your hair and is so affectionate; he follows you around like a dog.

“I’ve never ridden a horse like him - ever.”

- Ronnie Healy and Capital Magic Boy

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RONNIE HEALY’S FULL INTERVIEW

FINAL THOUGHTS We are incredibly proud of these partnerships and honoured to share stories like these. It has been a privilege for us to watch these riders with these horses.

Thank you, and we look forward to the successful chapters that follow.