The Ultimate 4×4 Series Champions

When Jeanne Korber broke her wrist badly at the first big show of the year, a season-long series title must have felt a long way off. Instead, she and Equine Walker SA’s Lexington have been crowned winners of the Ultimate 4×4 Series brought to you by Toyota, sealing the title at KPC in this year’s Toyota SA Derby.

The series rewarded the combination that scored the most points across four of the country’s most demanding fixtures: the Toyota Outdoor Grand Prix at the Easter Festival, the Toyota Midrand World Cup Qualifier, the Toyota SA Showjumping Champs and, finally, the Toyota SA Derby. Winning it takes a horse that can move between Grand Prix, World Cup and Derby tracks while staying fit and sharp through a long season, and a rider willing to contest every class. Jeanne, who talked her way back into the saddle just days before the Easter Festival, and Lexington delivered on both counts, and their reward, a new Toyota Hilux, is due to roll off the production line in mid-November.

It is a win more than a decade in the making. Jeanne had her eye on Lexington from the start, as the son of Fiorella, a mare she had bought on auction, and when he came up on the 2015 sale he was the only horse she wanted and purchased him in partnership with the Whitehouse family. She produced him herself from straight off the farm, with the guidance of Gonda Betrix, her coach of 25 years, and her husband Rainer Korber. Together they have built a reputation for consistency at the top level and a particular affinity for the SA Derby, finishing third in 2022 and second in 2023. In 2025 he was 4th in the Derby.

Here, Jeanne tells HQ about the horse she calls Mr Perfect, the comeback that made the series possible and what this victory means to her.

Early days

HQ: What made you choose Lexington back in 2015?
Jeanne: He is the son of Fiorella, a mare I bought off a previous auction. She had him before she was sold on the auction so I always had my eye on him. When he came up on the 2015 auction, I was very biased but definitely only wanted him!

HQ: What was he like as a young horse? Which qualities stood out early, and which have surprised you as he has developed?
Jeanne: From early on he had the most wonderful temperament, very brave and beautiful to ride. He’s always given me a very safe feeling. Lex never overjumped or gave flashy, scopey jumps, but turns out he has more scope than any horse I have ever had before!

HQ: For people who only see him in competition, what is he like at home in terms of his personality?
Jeanne: He is a real character and pulls the funniest faces for attention! When I ride him, he’s Mr Perfect. Even on outrides on a loose rein, he will walk on the bit!

HQ: How would you describe him under saddle?
Jeanne: He’s really beautiful to ride, especially on the flat! He is sensitive and has lots of blood and hardly ever gets tired, but he’s never silly. When jumping he can get very strong and often yanks quite a bit. I think he’s so eager to do the right job and when I try and steady him I’m just interfering with his plan so he gets strong.

The Ultimate 4×4 Series

HQ: What made the Toyota Ultimate 4×4 Series a particular goal for you this year, and how did your wrist injury impact that?
Jeanne: Lexington and I have often received SASJ awards for consistency throughout the years so when a massive prize like this came, it was immediately a big goal for us to work towards! Last year we were close! I was so excited to start the year with seven horses to compete and at the first big show I fell off the first horse of the day (twice actually) and broke my wrist quite badly. I was devastated and very frustrated! I didn’t have feeling and proper movement in my hand for quite a few months.

In order to be in contention for the series I knew that I would have a better chance if I did all the eight classes so the begging to Gonda and Ray started just before the Toyota Easter Festival. Eventually they let me have a jump three days before the show started, around a 1.35m track; I was so nervous to mess up but I knew Lex would look after me and he sure did!

HQ: When you set your sights on the series, did you plan Lexington’s season around the different legs or did you just take each leg as it came?
Jeanne: We took each leg as it came, but it was all shows that I would’ve normally competed at with him anyway.

HQ: What does a horse need to perform consistently across a series like this? Which of Lexington’s qualities have been especially valuable in that regard?
Jeanne: They need to be fit, feeling their best and obviously also versatile in being a Grand Prix/World Cup and Derby horse. Lexington is naturally a very fit horse and he has been very successful across all the different types of classes. He’s a fantastic Derby horse!

HQ: How do you balance fitness, competition experience and recovery between major shows?
Jeanne: I have my own routine with my horses to keep them fit and mostly only go to the big shows at the moment. When my horses have had a big competition I would give them a few days off and just hack them for the rest of the week with very light schooling sessions. Two weeks before a big show I would start building up the jumping with exercises and tracks to prepare for the show.

HQ: Looking back across the series, which round or moment are you proudest of, and why?
Jeanne: I would say the Toyota Outdoor Grand Prix as I had not ridden or jumped a horse for weeks before the show and my wrist was a problem. I really had to convince everyone to let me ride so the pressure was on to not let everyone including Lex down with riding badly. I was extremely nervous and in the warm-up honestly thought I had made a huge mistake, but my pride could not admit that to Gonda and Ray. I held it together and Lex held my hand to jump an incredible clear with one down in the second round to finish sixth. He truly showed what an amazing horse he is!

The SA Derby

HQ: You and Lexington finished third in the SA Derby in 2022 and second in 2023. What do you remember most about those rounds?
Jeanne: In 2022, I remember going into a four-fault-jump-off between quite a few riders which made it very exciting and nerve-racking! In 2023 Lex jumped the most incredible round, but as he started going down the bank the grass gave way so he just jumped from very high up and proceeded to do one stride to the plank. He tried very hard to clear it and just tipped the plank with a back toe. How we managed to keep it together after that shock, I have no idea. It was incredible!

HQ: How has your approach to the Derby changed with experience?
Jeanne: These days I’m definitely more excited than nervous! When you have a horse like Lex that enjoys Derby it makes it a lot easier and more fun!

HQ: What makes Lexington suited to the Derby’s particular demands? He obviously excels in all the shows, but is there something that makes him particularly suited to that track?
Jeanne: He is a very brave and willing horse which hugely helps with the Derby obstacles and then he’s also naturally a very fit horse with lots of energy.

HQ: How much specific Derby training do you do, and how does that fit into his wider programme?
Jeanne: With Lex’s experience he does not need a lot of Derby training anymore. We did two sessions at two different venues this year training over all the elements before the show and Dominey assisted us such a lot when Gonda couldn’t come up to Jo’burg before Derby.

HQ: How did you manage the mental demands of Derby day with the overall series result also in play? Do you struggle with nerves generally around shows?
Jeanne: Wow, so many emotions! There was definitely plenty of nerves leading up to the show and especially on the day! The biggest thing was that I did not want to let my team and my horse down; I knew if I could hold it together then we had a good chance of winning the series so there was a lot of pressure that I put on myself.

Winning

HQ: What does this achievement mean to you on a horse you have developed through the levels yourself?
Jeanne: It really is surreal, from starting with him straight off the farm to winning one of the most prestigious prizes ever in our sport. It really means more to us than I could ever put in words.

HQ: Winning a Hilux is quite a prize! Have you collected the car yet? If so, what is it like to drive?
Jeanne: No, not yet. Toyota have really been incredible and given us the opportunity to choose what colour we want and extras etc so the car is now in production and will be ready mid-November!

Big picture

HQ: You and Rainer compete alongside each other in the big classes. What is that experience like, particularly when you are both riding in the same class?
Jeanne: We are really lucky to share in our passion for horses and competing together. We support each other completely and understand all the emotions of the competitions. One of us usually keeps the family flag up there and sometimes we are fortunate to share the podium together.

HQ: What role has Gonda Betrix played in your journey with Lexington? Is there a particular lesson or piece of advice from her that has stayed with you?
Jeanne: Gonda has been teaching me for 25 years now so she taught Lex and me from the very beginning. She has always loved him and his great work ethic. She always says don’t hear what happens behind you and focus on what is in front of you.

HQ: How do you and Rainer balance running Korber Equestrian, producing and competing your own horses, and family life, especially when you are both at the very top of the sport?
Jeanne: We have a very good team of staff that helps us with our businesses, horses and life! We are very fortunate to do this together as it is a very demanding sport!

HQ: Who would you particularly like to thank for helping you and Lexington reach this point?
Jeanne: It definitely takes a village to get to this point. Michael and Laurin Whitehouse helped me buy Lex off the auction and have been part of this journey ever since then! Gonda and Ray have taught us over the years and then Benda, Lex’s groom, has loved him since the very beginning and knows him better than anyone! We also have an incredible team at home, who I couldn’t do any of this without.

Lex also has an array of people that treat him and make him feel his absolute best: Sasha Chelin,  Dr Patrick from Baker McVeigh Vets, David Hyslop Farrier Services, Jacques Versveld, Sue Allcock, Equitread etc.

Then, of course, Western Shoppe kits us out in the very best from his Prestige Rubino saddle to his boots and bridle, and my entire outfit is made up of the most beautiful brands like Samshield, Pikeur, Ariat etc. Finally, I must also thank Winx Insurance for their sponsorship and support.

HQ: For readers producing their own horses, what are the most valuable lessons from your journey with Lexington?
Jeanne: Find a horse that you enjoy riding and working with every day and then be patient, work hard and enjoy the journey! There will be days of disappointment and days of celebrations, it’s all part of the amazing journey with your horse!

HQ: When you look at Lexington now, what makes you proudest beyond his results?
Jeanne: When I look at Lexington now, I am so proud of our 11-year partnership and that we have created so many wonderful memories together. Lilly, our daughter, has ridden him a couple of times for fun and that makes me even more proud; he is a top-class horse yet he will look after a little 12-year-old-girl.

HQ: What’s next for you and Lexington?
Jeanne: We have our last World Cup Qualifier at Maple Ridge end of October and then possibly the SA Indoor Grand Prix at Maxwell’s in December.