Catching up with Nicole Horwood

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

CATCHING UP WITH NICOLE HORWOOD

HQ was fortunate enough to catch up with Nicole Horwood, one of the very best showjumpers South Africa has produced. Her list of achievements is remarkable: four-time SA Derby winner; winner of the Triple Crown (the only horse and rider combination to ever have won all three titles in the same year); two time SA Champs winner; three-time Outdoor Grand Prix winner; 2020 President’s Cup winner; and finally a World Cup Series winner. With this list of accolades, one wouldn’t believe that there was much more for Nicole to achieve, yet it seems that with her current horses and almighty determination to succeed, this list may just be the beginning.

HQ: It’s been quite the year competition-wise for you, and there is so much we could talk about. Today, however, we have to ask about Capital Chantilly’s success at Easter Festival. The jumpoff really was something to behold! What were your thoughts going into the arena? Did you know you were in with a good chance?

Nicole: Chantilly is very fast in a jump-off so I knew if I just kept a good rhythm and didn’t break her stride, she would be in with a good chance. I was near the beginning of the jump-off and knew there were very fast horses still to come. Fortunately, she is very economical over the jumps as well as careful, so in a big arena like the Bob Charter, I knew if I could get a good gallop from the start with tight turns, she would do well.

HQ: And we have to mention your success with her at SA Champs. Can you talk us through that?

Nicole: SA Champs is always a tough competition. Jumping two full rounds in itself is very challenging and then asking them to jump off against the clock can be very demanding on the horses. Our partnership was relatively new at that stage, and I had never really pushed her on time. Again there were very strong horses to follow me in the jump-off, so I knew I had to set a good pace. I think she won it on one particular turn after jump number 2. She even surprised me by how quickly she landed and turned - it felt like she did a wheel spin.

HQ: Please tell us a bit about Capital Chantilly? Is it quite different riding a mare after all of your stallions?

Nicole: Chantilly is such a kind and giving mare. I am so used to working with stallions, and it’s wonderful to work with such a gentle soul. She is a true soldier and fights with you in the ring every step of the way.

Nicole and Capital Chantilly

HQ: And how is our particular favourite, your other primary competitive horse at the moment, Capital Hitoshi?

Nicole: Hitoshi is on such form lately. He gives me so much confidence. I truly feel when I’m on him that I can jump any track no matter how big. He is extremely brave and will try anything I ask of him. He is also particularly fast in a jump-off, and he loves to gallop.

HQ: And we have to ask, of all your competition successes, with all of your horses, which one has meant the most to you?

Nicole: I think that would still have to be my very first Derby win. It was totally unexpected as it was my first and Capital Don Cumarco's first attempt. I didn't know what to expect. I was extremely anxious and overwhelmed on the day. I would have been happy just to see the finish, so my shock when I won was very evident...

Nicole and Don Cumarco at the Avis Derby

HQ: We were hoping you might mention Capital Don Cumarco. How is he spending his retirement? Have you been able to go and visit him?

Nicole: Capital Don Cumarco is happily retired at Summerhill. I have been to visit him. He truly is having the heavenly retirement he so well deserves. He is still enjoying the spotlight and is often seen in wedding pictures, being the handsome unicorn he is.

Nicole and Don Cumarco at his retirement ceremony

HQ: His retirement ceremony was incredibly emotional for everyone watching. How did you feel? Proud? Sad? Or a mixture of everything?

Nicole: I was extremely emotional. It was an end of an era for me. He put me on the map, and I wasn’t sure what my riding would be without him. I knew there was no way I could speak, and Aiden (Lithgow) did a wonderful job of delivering both Henning’s (Henning Pretorius, the owner of Capital Stud) and my speeches. Obviously, we were both extremely proud to be part of his journey from a foal in Belgium chosen by Henning in a field in the middle of the night, to at the age of 18 retiring having broken many records and achieved so many accolades.

Henning Pretorius, Nicole Horwood and Don Cumarco.

HQ: Do you have any exciting youngsters coming up through the ranks?

Nicole: I have two lovely youngsters: Capital Impossible, a Verdi stallion competing in the 1m20 classes and Capital Night Star, a horse Natalie and Ross Robertson bought off the auction for me to produce. I think they both have big futures.

HQ: When it comes to producing a youngster to an international Grand Prix horse, what are you looking for? Is there a common theme amongst the horses? Or is it just a feeling?

Nicole: There are a few things that are common in most of the horses I have produced to the top level. Firstly their attitude - they need to love what they do, you need their buy-in. Secondly, they need scope and, thirdly, balance. With these three attributes, you are very likely to get to GP level.

HQ: Do you have to learn to ride each horse differently? How do you manage to be so successful on all of them?

Nicole: Each horse is different and needs to be ridden differently. It’s about finding what works best for the horses as individuals. I think consistency is key and having a plan for each individual horse to enable them to perform at their best. I don’t believe in winning every class I enter. I like to save the best for the final day and make sure the tank is full and that they peak at the correct time.

HQ: And then we have to ask – how on earth do you fit it all in? Working full-time, a family, the horses, the shows… Do you ever sleep?

Nicole: No, I don’t get much sleep, and it is extremely challenging to find the right balance. However, when you are passionate about something, that in itself motivates you to keep going, however tough it gets. I am fortunate enough to have the most amazing support team surrounding me, and that’s my recipe for success. They all have my back, from my sponsors to my family, to my coach, and of course, the unwavering support of Capital Stud.

HQ: What is your secret hack for motivation? What keeps you going?

Nicole: My motivation is the horses. They are my happy place. When I’m stressed, they de-stress me. Riding them in the morning before I start my day sets the tone for me to cope with all the pressures of such a busy schedule. Succeeding in the ring is also what motivates me to keep going as well as producing horses to the top level. I find it all so rewarding.

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

Nicole: Hard work pays off. One of my favourite sayings is, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t show up.” This is so true in every sport at the top level. Having a plan and sticking to it, and always seeing the bigger picture is vital. You need short term goals but a long term plan.

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

Nicole: It’s all about the horse! Get to know your horse, spend time with your horse, and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Reward your horse and most importantly learn to communicate with them. Work hard, be consistent, watch and learn from the more experienced riders. And then, learn from your mistakes - accept them - but move on. It’s a tough sport, so the journey will be hard. There are no shortcuts and many sacrifices along the way, but it is all worth it in the end.

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

Nicole: I wish I had known to communicate better with the horses and to take our egos out of the equation. Horses don’t deliberately do things wrong most of the time; it’s just miscommunication. I also wish I’d realised that it’s okay to make mistakes and most of all that we should just have fun - after all that’s supposed to be why we ride.

HQ: Who are your role models and biggest influences?

Nicole: My biggest influence is definitely my coach Gonda Betrix. She has coached me for over 30 years. She taught me the importance of schooling and that the little things matter. My role models are Beezie Madden and Marcus Ehning. Marcus Ehning is a true master. I love watching him. He makes it all look so easy.

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

Nicole: I would like to compete in all the World Cup Series' as well as the two SA titles (Derby and SA Champs). I’m also looking forward to producing and competing with all the younger horses at the local shows.

HQ: Thank you so much, Nicole, for taking the time to answer our questions and keep us updated on your progress. It really is wonderful to witness you and your magnificent horses go from strength to strength.

Nicole: No, thank you for the opportunity, and I’d also like to extend a special thanks to my support team: Capital Stud for the incredible horsepower, Mark White Nissan for their unwavering support over the years, Western Shoppe for many years of gearing me up so smartly, Gonda Betrix my coach, Elikana Mvula my right-hand man, and Lynda Kirchmann, our yard manager. Every one of these has played such an important role in my journey!