Top equestrian rider, Daniella Machiné (20) can celebrate more podium finishes that have put her on the path to reaching her dream of competing around the world.
The former Eventing SA junior open and junior working hunter champion trains at Northern Farm and Inanda Country Base.
For the young rider her greatest achievement in recent years was qualifying and riding from start to finish at her first SA Open Derby and finishing seventh overall in 2018.
“We did compete again in 2019 and qualified in the top three which was amazing but unfortunately on the big day my horse got a bit too excited,” Machiné said.
“I think he was just as thrilled as was I to be back.”
The young rider also won the Spurwing Horse Trials 2* (Star) on her horse, Evan and finished second overall at the SA Adulting Eventing Championships in November last year, which was her first 3* event.
Furthermore, Machiné was part of the winning SA Team for the African Cup finals in Shongweni last August.
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“My next big show is Shongweni 3* in early March then hopefully we can get enough sponsors to take our horse to Zimbabwe
to compete in the African Cup Challenge end of March/April.
“I have started my Equestrian Qualification Authority of SA modules, this is an internationally recognised qualification and hope to be an FEI accredited coach one day. Plus I would like to do a degree in business management as I am hoping to be a successful pro rider and coach.”
Machiné has her own yard now but takes her horses to different venues to undergo and conduct training.
“I prefer to travel with my horses as young horses become too comfortable in their home arena and it’s good to work on different surfaces.”
These horses include Just Evangelic, a 20-year-old thoroughbred, with a ‘huge heart’. Also there is Iron Ruler, a winner of the grand prix 1.4m class and coming a tight second in the 1.5m grand prix in the SA Derby.
“This thoroughbred has never stopped or run out in all the years we have had him. He really is a legend.”
Machiné also owns two young off-the-track thoroughbreds that she will be training as show horses in the future.
Machiné plans to return to Europe and get onto the competive circuit there.
