JODI AMBROSE

AND HER MOVE TO JO'BURG

Interview: Amelia Campbell-Horne

Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Photography

It was an interesting end to 2023, with several of South Africa's top riders migrating south to the Midlands seeking greener (literally) pastures. However, one of our top riders decided to swim against the stream. Jodi Ambrose (nee Pieters) has just relocated up to Jo'burg! We decided to have a quick catch-up with Jodi ahead of the start of her 2024 year based 'up north’!

HQ: Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you started riding?

Jodi: I was born into the industry with both my parents (Willie and Sue) being professional showjumpers and my dad becoming a racehorse trainer. Horses and riding are in my blood and where I feel most comfortable. I grew up on an equestrian property in Drummond, KZN, so I have always had horses around me. I got my first pony at four years old and went on to compete successfully

in the Children's category of equitation and showjumping before specialising in showjumping from Juniors onwards. My business is a pre-training facility for racehorses, which now operates out of Sun Valley, Midrand.

Some of my non-equestrian achievements that I'm most proud of are completing the Comrades Marathon, summiting Kilimanjaro, completing the half Iron Man, and achieving an honours degree in Business Finance.

HQ: Wow, you've done a lot! And now you have just moved up to Johannesburg, which seems a bit like swimming against the tide with so many people moving to the Midlands! What prompted that move, and how have you found life in Jo'burg so far?

Jodi: We were actually expropriated by SANRAL as there is an elevated six-lane highway being built on the border of our old property, so it was time to move. The showjumping circuit, as well as my long-term coach Barry Taylor being based in Johannesburg, prompted the choice to move to JHB; I had become quite fed up with always being on the road and having to go away from home to jump at the national level shows. Now we have options of shows every weekend and I can have regular coaching with Barry. In terms of business, most of my pre-training clients are Jo'burg based anyway, so it also made sense on that front.

It has been great being up in Jo'burg to compete; in KZN, we would probably have ten open horses in a class at the normal shows, whereas here in Jo'burg, you can have two pools of 60 horses in the 1.30m classes. This means the level of competition is so much higher and you constantly want to up your game. There are also so many more options of venues and shows as well, so I'm excited for the year ahead.

HQ: You've been a long-time contender for top titles in the upper levels of showjumping here in South Africa; could you share perhaps some of your biggest successes and most memorable moments?

Jodi: I've had some very special horses in my jumping career this far. My first Junior horse was a Thoroughbred gelding called Jaunty Gent. We started in 80cm and ended up winning a 1.50m Riders Tour Grand Prix, as well as third place in the big 1.50m South African Derby. I've also had good placings in World Cup Qualifiers with both geldings Billy The Kid and King Of Hearts. Capital Rafika D'Or was and is the horse of all my dreams. Together, we won the South African Championships in 2011, won two World Cup Qualifiers, topped the Riders Tour, and won the FEI RSA World Cup Series in 2012. We also placed second in the big Derby – so I still need that win!

HQ: Do you think one of your current horses could win the big Derby for you?

Jodi: I'm not sure. In all honesty, I just haven't taught them the Derby stuff from the lower grades, so we'd have to see.

HQ: Who do you have in your string of horses for this year?

Jodi: I have a string of four horses: King Of Hearts (Bella Notte x Jus de Pomme) is currently competing in the 1.35m/1.40m level; Callaho Casco Grey (Casparon x Argentinus) is a 10-year-old that jumped in his first 1.50m classes towards the end of last year, and we're hoping to get properly established at that level this year; Callaho Con Remo (Con Coriano x Ramiro Z) is a talented 8-year-old that is just starting in the 1.35m level; and Branic Quebekha (Qino d'Eclipse x Jokinal de Bornival) is jumping in the 1.20m classes. I have a fabulous team of sponsors that I have partnered up with this year. I have recently partnered with Subaru Sandton, who are doing a very fun promotion; if a customer uses my name at the Sandton dealership, they get a discount on any new car! Epol, Kuda, and Equestrian House have also all come on board again for the upcoming season. It's a huge honour to have these powerhouse brands behind me and I intend to do them proud this year!

HQ: You're also involved in the racing scene… Can you tell us more about that?

Jodi: My mom established the family business, 'Precentor Place', which I have now taken over. It is a pretraining business where we are essentially the primary school for racehorses. We get them backed once they come in from the sales

and make sure they are physically and mentally prepared for all that racing entails. We also spell racehorses, which means they come to us for breaks during their racing careers. I love working with the babies, and it funds my showjumping – a happy equation. I got to know horse racing from this angle and fell in love with the industry.

HQ: Since you have knowledge of both racing and showjumping, do you have any top tips for us on how to pick the right racehorse for a second career in showjumping?

Jodi: For a Thoroughbred off-thetrack, I prefer ones that run longer distances - one mile and up - as showjumpers. The reason for this is that they tend to push from behind as opposed to pull from in front, so they make a better type to jump. One of the horses I got off the track recently and produced up the grades. Finding Troy is now jumping successfully in the 1.30m with Jenna Odell, which is lovely to see. The plan is for all our Haraka Syndicate horses to find loving homes and second careers after their racing careers are finished. So, keep an eye out for those!

HQ: We wish you all the best up here in Jo'burg and can't wait to see what the year holds for you and your string!