Jess Somerfield
EquaCare Sponsored Rider
Jess grew up in Perth, Western Australia, finding a passion for horses from a young age when she moved next door to a riding school. Jess spent most days at the riding school, learning all about riding and schooling the naughty ponies in exchange for lessons. It was pretty safe to say, she was hooked.
Through Ponyclub, Jess competed in eventing, showjumping, dressage and mounted games - going to State levels at 11, National level in 2007, and on the BEATS squad at 12 years old, and continued up to old 1* level (new 2*) at the age of 15.
In 2009 Jess took her first OTT Thoroughbred ‘Wildfires revenge’ to 3* level (now 4*) competing at Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Since then she has produced many horse up the grades including the wonderful Lakeview Albion who really got her name out there. Upon meeting her partner Lachlan, Jess pursued the riding further, taking the ride on head stallions for two studs - Ottaba Warmbloods & Sharellen Warmbloods; stepping up her riding to the next level and beginning to move from completing events, to winning them.
In 2017 Lachlan & Jess purchased their very own farm in 2017, 110acres in Denman NSW, to build and develop into an equestrian facility and Wildfire Equestrian was created. Since then, Wildfire has grown into a full time larger scale business, slowly adding more facilities each year, into a paradise training & coaching center. Jess has continued to grow her team, producing many young horses through to FEI level, including multiple 2/3* 3 day event winners.
Her current team of horses includes the wonderful Finch Farm Carpentaria who is just stepping up to the 4**** level and has had amazing results at the major Australian events on the eventing circuit. Added that she also has a team coming through behind him of HB Zara who is established at 2** looking to step up to 3*** next year and a new ride in APH New Sensation who is looking like he is going to be a super competitive top level prospect with very competitive results at 1* level.
Johannes Holtzhausen
EquaCare Sponsored Rider
Johannes is a Hunter Valley based dressage rider. Born in South Africa and moving to Australia as a teen, Johannes pursued a riding career originally in show jumping. After moving from the city of Melbourne to the country side Johannes started training and working with Maree Tomkinson.
Johannes mainly concentrated on producing show horses but the love of dressage was too strong.
Johannes and the Downie Family found Fransisco RW in 2019 as a 4yr old unbroken colt. Pete (Stable name) was bred by the late Amanda Shoobridge and was destined to be her next superstar. After Johannes broke Pete in, he started competing with success from prelim to advanced and he is not stepping into Inter I/Prix St George Level with scores of up to 80%. Pete has not always been an easy ride but over the last 2 years have really come along way to be one of the easiest horses to have and compete.
Although Pete is the current star of the show, Johannes also has two super horses following behind him that are making their mark on the dressage world. HB Fraternite or Darcy as he is known at home is coming out of medium into advanced and is absolutely showing he has what it takes to be a future FEI superstar. Last but not least is the gorgeous EBL Scarlett who made her debut recently in the show world to prep her for the young dressage classes.
This is a young mare to look out for in the future as she shows she has every box ticked to be another star of the future. Johannes and his partner Andrew Buckley owner of EB Lodge and are well known and respected identities in the equestrian community.
Emma Cox
EquaCare Sponsored Rider
I started riding 20 years ago at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre in Sydney’s CBD and still continue to train my horses from the amazing facilities on offer. Over those initial years, I learnt to ride with several schools and horses before purchasing my first horse in 2013. I competed in up to advanced dressage on an Australian Warmblood mare who we purchased as a schoolmaster. I learnt a lot of foundational skills and training from her that continue to underpin how I ride and train today.
In 2018, I took on Bear (A Regal Affair), a retired racehorse, as
a project whilst I looked for a young warmblood to grow up and start with. I never ended up with a warmblood as I was hooked on the retraining process with thoroughbreds. Before Bear I had never done a show horse class. I had a childhood dream of riding at Sydney Royal and I worked with Bear to make it happen.
Sadly, Covid interfered and I never got to ride him at Sydney before his passing in 2020.
After a long search for my next thoroughbred we ended up with Greenspan (Teddy) who has had such success in his own way since retiring in July 2021. He is the most reliable horse you could ask for and really is a pleasure to have around. In March 2023 we picked up Favreau, these two horses make up my little team. Favreau is a character, he will always make you laugh and genuinely tries his hardest… but sometimes his nerves get in the way!
I thoroughly enjoy the process of retraining and educating
thoroughbreds for showing and these two horses are no exception.
I’m so thankful to be a part of the EquaCare team, Teddy and
Favreau devour their protein pellets and the transformation in their condition since being on them is amazing. I prepare both horses using the Remedeaz range and the shine in their coats comes straight from the EquaCare range.
