COURTNEY WEBBER AND OPAL DE LA BASTIDE – CREATING HISTORY

Interview: Amelia Campbell-Horne

Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Photography

Young Rider Courtney Webber and her trusty partner could be on the path to creating history… The pair were last year’s Micro (1.35m) Derby winners, and incredibly, this year, they took the win in the Mini (1.40m) Derby. Could they make it three for three next year with a win in the Big Derby? If they were to jump and win the Big Derby next year, they would be the first combination to have done this consecutively. If they don’t, Courtney still has a long career ahead of her, with plenty of time to win the Big Derby and become the only other rider besides Dominey Alexander to have won all three.

We caught up with Courtney to find out more about her and Opal and get some Derby tips and tricks from a pro.

HQ: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Courtney:  I’m 25 years old. I am based in KZN, living in Umhlanga. I have been riding since I was about six years old. I moved to Langley Equestrian when I was about nine years old, and I’ve been there ever since. I have competed in showjumping, equitation, dressage and showing. I did each discipline through my Pony Riders and Junior career.

HQ: You have had a super run at Derby with Opal, winning the Speed Derby last year and the 1.40m this year. Can you talk us through the Derby competition this year, what you thought of the course, and then the jump-off?

Courtney: I still can’t get over how good Opal was.

Last year was a shock as it was our first Derby together, and this year, we decided to do the 1.40m Derby, and he just blew me away again. I didn’t expect that at all; I’m not so brave with the Derby elements, so I just wanted to get through the course and hopefully have a good round. When he went clear, I was over the moon. In the jump-off, I honestly thought I had no chance because I was up against such good riders and horses.

I was happy to be in the top six, and when Opal won, I couldn’t believe it. I had a lot of luck that day, and I think it was just our day. Opal felt amazing; he is just a different horse in that arena. He absolutely loves the Derby elements.

HQ: And Opal is barefoot! What led you to make that decision?

Courtney: Grant and Shelly try to keep their horses barefoot if possible.  We use a hoof oil mixture and hardener three times a week, and I use Sole Soothe after jumping.

HQ: How do you feel jumping on the grass with a barefoot horse? Do you notice a difference, and do you practice on grass before competing in it?

Courtney: I really enjoy barefoot horses on the grass. My Junior horse was also barefoot, and I loved jumping her on the grass. I feel they have more grip. I haven’t had an issue with barefoot horses on the grass, and Opal managed really well at Derby. We are very lucky to have a grass arena at Langley Equestrian, so before Derby or any show where we have to jump on grass, we start to work with the horses on the grass and get them used to it. We had two practices with Derby elements before coming to Kyalami.

HQ: Are any of the other horses you compete barefoot?
Courtney: I have three other horses that I ride that are barefoot

HQ: Will you aim to jump the main Derby next year?

Courtney: I would love to jump the Big Derby one day, but I don’t think it will be next year. I’m not the biggest Derby fan, but with Opal, I love it because of how brave he is.

The Big Derby is something else, though, and I’m not sure I can do that.

HQ: What do you think is the toughest Derby element?

Courtney: The toughest Derby element for the Big Derby is definitely the bank. That scares me the most. I walked the course this year, and you don’t realise how steep and high that bank is until you are up there.

HQ: What does your Derby preparation entail?

Courtney: We have a few small jumping sessions in the grass arena at Langley Equestrian Centre. We don’t jump big; we just get the horses confident over each element and let them have some fun. We are very thankful to the Shongweni Club for allowing the Derby riders to use their grass arena for prep this year.

HQ: What advice do you have for people who want to give Derby a try?

Courtney: I would tell them to just try it out. Some horses love it, and some hate it, but if you have a horse that loves the Derby, it is one of the best shows of the year. The atmosphere is amazing, and it is not like any other show we have on the calendar. It’s once a year, so give it a go. Don’t put pressure on yourself; just have fun.

HQ: Do you think travelling affects your/your horses’ performances, and how do you manage that?

Courtney: The travelling definitely affects the horses, I think; you can feel them starting to get tired after a few Johannesburg shows. We do come up quite often to Johannesburg, but Grant makes sure the horses arrive earlier so that they have time to rest and recover, and after the shows, they have time off and enjoy their paddocks.

HQ: What is the best advice you’ve received from your coach?

Courtney: I can’t think of ‘one thing’ as the best advice Grant has given me, but I think it’s just how much he believes in his riders, and the support he provides is unmatched. If you need a 5am lesson or a 6pm lesson, Grant will be there. I can’t thank him enough for the help over the years and all the hard work he has put in.

HQ: Who are your showjumping idols?

Courtney: My showjumping idol is definitely Grant, not because he is my coach but because his horses always come first, and his passion, knowledge, and love for the sport are amazing.

HQ: What does an average day in your life look like?

Courtney: During the week, it’s work at Langley Equestrian. In the mornings, we try to get our horses done first. I like to do them before they go out to the paddock. So, I do some early before they go out and some after 11 am when they come in. Lessons are very busy in the afternoons, so it’s quite hard to ride then. I will then sit and do some admin work, teach mid-morning lessons if I have any and then have a lunch break. Afternoon lessons start from about 2:30pm – 5:30pm. I will teach one or two lessons, and then my day normally ends at about 5pm. We have such a great team at Langley, and we all help each other where we can so the days aren’t too crazy.

On the weekends, if we don’t have a show, then I’m with friends and enjoying some time off without horses!

HQ: What are your plans for the future with Opal and your other rides?

Courtney: My plan with Opal is just to keep him happy and enjoying his job. I would love to do some more World Cup classes, but we will have to see next year. As for my other rides, Grant has so many new and exciting Foresyte babies coming through, so I can’t wait to see how they progress next year.

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We also had a quick catch-up with Shelly-Ann Moore, who is part owner of Opal de la Bastide and likely their biggest supporter…

HQ: Can you tell us about Opal?

Shelly: I bought him as a three-year-old colt from a small stud in Belgium, where we saw him free jumping while scouting for horses with Grant (Langley). He produced one foal before we had to geld him unexpectedly. His daughter Foresyte Kiss of Onyx (out of a Nintendor mare) is the top-ranked 1.20m horse with Grant Langley in the saddle.

Opal was backed and produced by the Foresyte team for me, and I rode him for a while. However, he is quite a sensitive horse. After Courtney jumped him in the six bar at Shongweni and fell in love with him, I decided to give her the ride on him. She has a great bond with him and gets the best out of him.

HQ: How does it feel to have a 1.40m Derby-winning horse?

Shelly: I am so proud of both of them! I was at home, but the team had me on a video call when they were doing the prize-giving, and I had tears of joy streaming down my face! He truly is a special boy, and they are perfectly matched! Courts just ‘gets’ him! I nearly sold him a few years ago, but the person who tried him decided not to take him as they felt he didn’t have what it took to be a GP horse! I decided soon after that that I actually wanted to keep him, having owned him since he was three, so I gave Courts a half share in him as ‘insurance’ that she would always have the ride, and he was not going anywhere! Look at them now!

HQ: They have also jumped their first WCQs this year. How was that experience as an owner?

Shelly: That first WCQ in June at the aQuelle Foresyte WCQ was a surprise! I wasn’t sure they were doing it (I’m not sure Courts was either!), then Grant organised his FEI passport and said, “Let’s see how they do in the warm-up classes”! I was bursting with pride at how well she rode and how he really stepped up to the challenge. He is the bravest horse I know and will jump anything for Courts. Their second WCQ in August, when she went clear with just one-time fault, was surreal! They held their own in such illustrious company!

HQ: What are you most excited about for the pair next year? Will they be in the full WCQ series?
Shelly: That will be for Courts and Grant to decide. I’m just happy knowing they are both doing what they love, and I get to be a part of their journey!

HQ: How do you feel about them jumping the Big SA Derby next year?

Shelly: Well, I think I’d be properly terrified, but I am not the jockey, so that doesn’t count! It would be amazing if they decided to do that, and this time, I will definitely be on the stands alongside the Bob Charter, not watching from home!

We can’t wait to follow this journey!