Above: Vicki and Digger at the Jumping NSW Autumn Classic 2025.

Three-time Olympian, Vicki Roycroft, is a name synonymous with Jumping in Australia. She has put together a career in Equestrian sports which would rival any in the world, however, she has recently made a significant life change with the sale of her beloved property at Mount White on the NSW Central Coast. An equestrian haven that she has cherished for years, this transition marks both an end and a new beginning in her storied career.

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In a candid interview, Vicki reflected on her decision to sell her property, which has been a central part of her life and career. Originally discovered by her ex-husband, Wayne, the property has served as a training ground for countless horses and riders. With the support of friends and a desire for a more manageable lifestyle, Vicki decided it was time to downsize.

Now in her early 70s, Vicki acknowledges that the physical challenges that come with age, including reduced vision and balance, have made riding and managing multiple horses more demanding. “My balance isn’t as as good as it used to be, and you know that I’ve got one blind eye and the other eye is starting to fade a bit now as well so I don’t see distances as well as I used to. I still enjoy riding, but I can only manage to ride a couple of horses a day, whereas once upon a time, I’d do eight or 10 no problem.”

Managing a big property has also started to become a challenge and Vicki says, “I am running the property on my own at the moment with the help twice a week from a very dear friend of mine, Kate Kyle-Robinson (nee Lawrie), who actually groomed for Wayne at the 1984 Olympics, and lives next door.”

“Once I made the decision to sell, it was a huge weight off my shoulders,” Vicki shares, highlighting the emotional strain that accompanies such a significant change.

Vicki currently has 14 horses, a mix of her own and those belonging to students. She expressed a determination to keep a few horses with her as she transitions to her new life, emphasising that she couldn’t imagine being without them. She revealed plans to move to a new property in Somersby in January next year, which offers a more manageable 11 acres. She is very grateful to have a long settlement to allow her time to prepare for the move as, “I’ve got forty years of stuff to move – you can imagine what you accumulate over that amount of time!”

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This new location will allow her to continue working with horses. Vicki says, “Kate and her husband, Mark, are coming with us, so they will be there to help look after things, so my husband Neil and I can do a few other things in life as well.”

Vicki is still keen to compete, albeit at a lower level than in her prime. “I’m fine with jumping about 1.20m now,” she says, clearly content to adapt her ambitions while still remaining involved in the sport.

Reflecting on her career, Vicki expressed nostalgia for the simpler times in Jumping, when developing a bond with your horse was paramount. “It was a simpler time then,” she reminisced about her early days, which were marked by hands-on experiences with Thoroughbreds. Now, she notes, the sport has evolved, becoming more competitive and driven by larger budgets. “My best horse still was a little Thoroughbred, Apache, who I bought for $500 and who became a world beater.”

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The shift in the sport, she feels, has diminished the intimate connection that riders once shared with their horses. “I realise I am also guilty by association, because some of my students come from wealthy families. But if they come to my place, they don’t just get presented with a horse. They have to go and get their horse from the paddock, they have to brush it and pick out its feet – I’m not into having princesses!”. Vicki emphasises the importance of dedication and hard work. Her mentoring philosophy encourages students to develop a comprehensive understanding of horsemanship, beyond merely riding skills and to develop a bond with their horses.

“My greatest mentor and trainer, apart from Wayne, who was wonderful for me, was George Morris who has a tough school of training – it’s his way or no way, and he had the credentials to back that up”.  Vicki goes on to say “I’m not here to tell my students how well they ride, I’m here to teach them something so they can ride better.”

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When asked if she feels like she has missed out on anything as a result of her commitment to the sport, Vicki expressed gratitude for the opportunities she has had through her equestrian journey. “The lovely thing about being involved with horses and getting to a high level is that I have been able to travel with them, I’ve probably seen more showgrounds than anything else haha, but it has enabled me to go to wonderful places, including Olympics and World Championships.” Vicki says., “There are no regrets about the decision, because I don’t think I was very good at anything else, so thanks to Wayne and Bill’s (Roycroft) training I have been able to enjoy a wonderful career in the sport and travel the world!”

Above: Vicki Roycroft and Apache.

Asked how she maintains her fitness as she gets older, Vicki she says she still does her daily feed runs and jokes. “If I stop riding, I’m going to have to stop eating, given my love of chocolate and wine!”

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When asked if there is something in particular she will miss about the Mount White property, Vicki says, “I guess my beautiful jumping paddock, George Morris loved the paddock because it’s not totally flat, it’s on a slight slope. It has beautiful footing, Kikuyu over a sandy loam and it’s just about five acres, so there’s plenty of room to change things around. I’ve got two beautiful arenas, also my sand/fibre all-weather arena, which is about 75m by 45m which I do most of my teaching on. The students have to earn their way onto my paddock!  The place we are buying has a similar type of paddock, not as big, but I think it will suit my needs.”

As she prepares for this new chapter, Vicki Roycroft remains committed to her love for horses, training, and mentoring the next generation of riders and we wish her the very best for the move and for the future.

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