It’s Miller time at Equestrian Centre Gauteng in Zesfontein

The instructor is not in Benoni to horse around.

August 6, 2018

Logan Green 4 minutes read

David Miller jumps All Down the Line at the Equestrian Centre Gauteng.

Zesfontein’s Equestrian Centre Gauteng has welcomed a new resident show jumping instructor to its yard, David Miller.

No, it’s not his cricketing namesake, but the qualified open show jumping instructor is ready to hit the Benoni showjumping scene for six.

Miller developed a love for horses from a young age.

“My great gran was a big fan of Westerns, which I also became a fan of, so I always fancied myself as a bit of a cowboy, and always pictured myself galloping off into the sunset on my trusty steed.

“I started show jumping when I got my first pony at 10 years old.

“From the age of about 12 years old, I was invited to keep my pony with Gonda Beatrix, a show jumping legend in South Africa.

“This was a huge honour because I was the only child at the time that stabled in her yard.

“She developed me, as she has done with so many top riders in South Africa today, into a polished successful rider.

“I rode with her until I went to the army at 18, and was competing as a Junior A Grade at the time.

“I was chosen among six riders in the country to do the M Course with the great Commandant Stark and represented the army as a National A grade (1.40m) rider on one of my favourite horse Donna Onduno.

“I also represented them at the SA Eventing Champs in the open classes, which is just about the highest you can go as an eventer in this country.

“After the army, I went and rode in England for a few years, but managed to make friends with a few Aussie guys, who got me into the sport of surfing.

“I really loved surfing, and with no top horses to ride at the time, I decided to relocate to the coast and pursued my love of surfing and coastal life.

“I lived in Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town for 13 years and literally never even sat on a horse in that time.

“I was then relocated to Johannesburg, and ended up renting a house from the late Ed Simpson, and started riding his string of show jumpers again.

“During this second stint of riding my passion for the sport and the horses increased tenfold.

“I was determined to get to the top of the sport again and become a professional show jumper.

“I started riding as a professional in 2012 when I was offered a job to ride for Callaho Stud and I haven’t looked back since.”

Miller won loads of championship classes on his ‘brilliant pony’ Hawaiian Devil as a child.

“I won my fair share in the army Riding Donna Onduno in the 1.40 classes and won the 1.40m accumulator at the 1990 Dunhill Derby on her.

“I am also proud of the fact that I successfully completed the SA Eventing championships in the open classes at my second ever eventing show, a feat that most people take years to accomplish.

“More recently I have produced three horses to the open classes, winning my fair share along the way.

“Those horses are Enduro (my own horse 1.35) Brannic Alway One R and Saratoga Anchesanumun (1.35).

“During that time I was chosen to represent Gauteng in show jumping on three occasions.

“I have ridden for two of the country’s top Stud farms for several years, those being Callaho and Franlarren.

“As well as riding and producing one of Branic Studs top stallions, Branic Always One R, I have also done a lot of work for Alchemy Stud and did the early production work on their top stallion Alchemy Studs Hercules.

“I have produced a huge amount of horses, and very rarely go to a competition without seeing at least one horse I have worked with at some stage of its career.”

Miller’s secret is simple: “Work harder than anyone else, and never give up.

“Show jumping is a sport where you’re only as good as the horse you’re riding, so if you don’t have huge financial backing, you may go through long periods where you’re not riding the best horses, or in the production stage of a young horse.

“During these times you have to keep working as hard as you can and keep believing that your time will come again.

“Keep knocking on the door. It will eventually be opened.

“As with all sport, there are always highs and lows. You should celebrate the highs and not dwell on the lows.

“Eight per cent of all sport is mental. If you can manage your mind you have more than half the battle won.

“As far as Benoni is concerned, I have already worked with some super talented riders and horses, and believe with the correct management and coaching can compete with riders from anywhere in the country.

“Benoni has always had a rich equestrian heritage and has been home to some truly great riders.

“Nothing has changed in that regard. There are oceans of untapped talent here and I hope to uncover some of that talent, and hopefully play a part in some of Benoni’s future stars careers.”