A breeder of champion horses, trainer of champion riders, and a South African showjumping champion himself, Dominey Alexander (50) has done it all in the equestrian world and yet keeps on going.
The reason behind this is simple: Very few, if any, have as much passion for horses, and riding horses, as this Midrand legend.
Alexander can spend all day every day at the Cellehof Stud and Livery, where he breeds horses and trains champions such as SA number one Lisa Williams, SA Championship 2017 winner Kelly O’Connor, and dozens of other top-level riders.
He can walk you from one end of the facility to the other, introducing you to each of his 80 beautiful horses, describing their breeds and individual temperaments.
Like a horse whisperer, Alexander speaks gently to each one, calming them down and holding their absolute attention, devotion and love.
“To be a top rider, you have to understand your horse,” he said. “You have to know their strengths and weaknesses, and more.”
While many riders may struggle to form bonds with more than one horse, Alexander has done this with 80.
“The best thing about riding horses is two entities getting as close as possible to win together.”
He added that the secret to breeding an excellent horse was pure luck.
“It does not matter if you have the best bloodlines in the world, it is still all about luck.”
Yet, looking at the stallions and mares at Cellehof, and the foals they produce, it is hard to believe it was just luck.
From falling off horses from the age of four to winning the SA Showjumping Championships, countless SA Grand Prix, and representing South Africa abroad, Alexander is keeping his riding career going by looking to defend his President’s Cup title at Maple Ridge Equestrian Farm, Krugersdorp, in March.
He said after a long holiday, many horses will be out of practice, but when he competes with Armageddon, who jumped three days without one mistake last year, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
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Also read: The pressures of being number one
