When Mattea Davidson talks about her life with horses, there’s a quiet mix of determination and gratitude in her voice. She’s a World Cup qualifier winner, a Level 2 Eventing and Jumping specialist coach, an equine reproduction vet, and a breeder producing quality performance horses, but none of it was part of a childhood plan.

“It was actually through polo ponies,” Mattea says. “I got introduced by a friend at school. Her dad played polo, and we used to go out to the polo tournaments on the weekend. My family aren’t horsey, so I went to a local riding school. That’s how it started.”

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Over the years, Mattea has competed at a high level in Eventing and Jumping, and she hasn’t fully chosen one over the other. “I haven’t completely made that decision. It’s just the horses I’ve got at the moment. I like Eventing because it makes an all-round athlete, but I love the challenge of Jumping. It’s tough. You can have someone doing really well for a couple of competitions and then they’re not up there for a while. That’s what’s appealing, you can always be getting better.”

Mattea met her husband Shane while working for Kevin McNabb. At the time she was finishing up to start vet science. “I wanted to ride semi-professionally, but I also wanted to be a vet. Shane had just come back from Germany and was dedicated to riding professionally. I don’t think either of us knew we’d end up where we are now.”

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Today, the couple run a busy competition and breeding stable alongside a reproduction centre. “We normally both ride in the morning, getting through 14 to 16 horses before lunch. In breeding season, scanning takes precedence. We don’t just breed our own horses, we have clients who bring mares to us. Shane’s also a carpenter, so he’s been building our horse truck.”

Breeding has become a cornerstone of their business. “What we bred initially is quite different to what we’re breeding now. We’ve tightened up the broodmare herd, not just on ability, but trainability, conformation and commercial viability. You can be the best rider, but if you don’t have the right horses, it’s not going to get you anywhere.”

Selling horses is part of the model, even if it means letting go of future stars. “People think you sell the ones that aren’t good, but that’s not the case. We’ve sold horses that have gone on to do very well, like Christamour D with Hugh Buchanan. We can’t keep them all, and we’re more inclined to keep mares over geldings. You make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time.”

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Coaching is another major part of Mattea’s work. “I really enjoy coaching. It’s a privilege to be involved with someone’s riding, whether they’re professional, semi-professional or just doing it for fun. It’s great to help someone improve and see that progress.”

She is also a strong advocate for recognising breeders in Australia. “In Europe, if a horse wins, the breeder is recognised, sometimes even with an award. Here, breeders don’t get that same recognition, and I think it’s important. Those horses wouldn’t be here without people breeding them.”

Last year was a breakthrough season for Mattea with wins at Shepparton and Werribee in the World Cup series. “I’d never won a World Cup before. I came from Eventing and used to be a terrible jump rider, I’ve gotten better, but there’s always more to do. We could improve here by having more consistent top-level shows so horses can compete at that height regularly.”

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When asked what she loves most about the life she and Shane have built, her answer comes without hesitation. “Our boys. And that we get to ride horses. We’ve had to work very hard, but we’re lucky. You have to remind yourself of that on the days that don’t go well.”

Her advice to her 18-year-old self is simple. “Things will eventually work out. You just can’t control the outcome. Give things a go, trust the process, and you’ll end up where you’re meant to be.”

For Mattea, the balance of riding, breeding, coaching and veterinary work is demanding, but it’s also deeply rewarding, especially when she sees a horse she has bred and produced go on to succeed. “That’s the whole point. You want people to go out and do well, at whatever level. We get just as much of a thrill from that as our own results.”

Hear more from Mattea on the recent All Clear Podcast Episode:

You Tube: http://bit.ly/4l3VHQF

Spotify: http://bit.ly/47c46hB

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