The pressures of being number one
MIDRAND - Equestrian athlete Dominey Alexander sits relaxed at his kitchen table at his home in Blue Hills as he shares his life's philosophy.
“It’s difficult staying number one,” said the number one ranked equestrian athlete in South Africa in an interview on 9 March.
Alexander earned the top ranking position by winning three and coming in second place in the five grand prix in the country. “I didn’t like coming second at all,” said the competitive horse rider.
Alexander will compete in the Nissan Easter Festival with his horse Discovery Enjoy 68. “He is my best friend. Somebody once said to me, when you go into battle, you want your best friend next to you,” said Alexander, explaining the importance of his relationship with his horse which has allowed them to be ranked as the number one horse and rider combination in South Africa.
He also dished out some advice to young aspiring equestrians. “It takes a long time, you have to be patient and love what you do.” He said he has known what he wants to do for a career all his life. “I started riding at five years old.”
“It feels like I’ve been an equestrian for 100 years, but I’ve only been doing it for 26 years,” said the 47-year-old seasoned rider.
Even with this great accomplishment, Alexander thinks there is still more for him to learn in the sport. “The one thing I’ve learned is that I don’t know anything yet, I’m still learning all the time.”
“Maths came in handy. You need to place a 700kg animal [at the desired spot] while you are moving at 400km.”
The husband and father of two boys, finds time out of his hectic schedule to train aspiring horse riders. “I don’t train them, they come to me knowing how to ride, I just fine tune them. I am a coach.”
With four to five hours of daily training for himself, Alexander has definitely fine tuned his technique.
Are you a horse rider? Share some tips with Midrand Reporter in the comments below.
