Above: Riley Mackillop with TM Christiano Ronaldo (Ronnie) at SJA earlier this year. Photo Credit Simon Scully Photography.

Article by Riley Mackillop.

The Path Overseas

Like many young Australian riders with big dreams, I left our shores in early 2017 at 19 years old. Having grown up competing through the ranks of Pony Club and state championships under the guidance of James Mooney and then Vicki Roycroft, I had a hunger to experience the sport at its highest level. After leaving high school I was anxious to make the jump from our domestic competitions to what I’d seen on TV from Europe and America.

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My journey began as it does for most Australians venturing overseas—as a working student. I landed a position with Ian Silich in Ocala, Florida, and was immediately struck by the scale difference. While some of our Australian shows might have a few hundred horses, at HITS Ocala, there were over 2,000 horses competing weekly for months straight.

This was my first cultural shock, but certainly not my last. Ian’s approach to training differed dramatically from what I had learned in Australia. He had horses stretching deeply with the bit lower in their mouth—a complete contrast to the collection-focused training I’d grown up with. While this system wasn’t ultimately for me, it taught me an important lesson I’d carry throughout my journey: be open to different methods, take what works, and leave what doesn’t.

The Deep End: Managing a Grand Prix Operation at 19

After three months with Ian, an opportunity arose that would accelerate my learning curve exponentially. Through a connection at the show, I accepted a position with Andy Kocher, who was then making his push into the world’s top 100 riders. What began as a riding position quickly evolved into something far more demanding.

Within three months, Andy’s operations manager departed, and he looked at me—still a teenager with just months of American experience—and said, “I’m looking at you now, bud.” Suddenly, I was managing a sprawling operation with over 50 horses on property and dozens more scattered across the country. The whiteboard in our tack room tracked over 100 horses at any given time, with constant movement between shows and farms.

For young Australians considering this path, here’s my first piece of advice: be prepared to adapt quickly. One day, operations manager Kelly asked if I could drive a truck and gooseneck. Having never driven one, I naturally said “no problem” and received a 15-minute lesson around our farm before being sent on my first solo journey the next day.

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Soon I was making cross-country trips alone with valuable horses—Ocala to Gulfport, then to Austin, to Dallas, to Tulsa, and back again. One particularly grueling journey had me driving 22 hours straight from Dallas to Ocala with barely a break. By the end of my time in America, I’d visited 28 states, mostly from behind the wheel of a truck.

The pace was relentless. Andy would appear for just 2-3 days between shows, ride 20-30 horses, select his 12 choices for the next competition, and disappear again for weeks. During the 11 months I worked for him, he never spent more than three consecutive days at the home farm.

This experience offered invaluable lessons in horse management, business operations, and the realities of high-stakes competition. One extraordinary benefit was the opportunity to ride over 100 different horses in just 11 months—an education in feel and adaptability that would have taken years to acquire otherwise. Each horse presented unique challenges and taught me something new about riding and problem-solving.

A Serendipitous Reunion

In early 2018, a chance Facebook message changed my trajectory. Seven years earlier, as a 14-year-old representing Australia, I had stood on a podium in Colombia at the FEI Children’s International Classic Finals next to a girl named Tatianna Verswyvel. We’d remained Facebook friends, and when I was looking for a change, I reached out to her family.

Jorge and Glady Verswyvel welcomed me to their farm in Wellington, Florida. Their approach to horsemanship again differed dramatically from what I’d experienced previously. Glady possessed an exceptional eye for horses and would spend days and weeks sitting beside our arena at home, meticulously analysing every aspect of my riding. She critiqued everything from my position to the horse’s balance and movement, investing countless hours into my development and technique—an invaluable resource that few riders ever access.

Jorge brought incredible feel and expertise in training young horses. The exercises he taught me remain core to my training program today. His methodical approach to developing young horses provided me with a comprehensive system I still rely on.

Under their guidance, I rehabilitated a 16-year-old Grand Prix jumper named Amigo who taught me how to “create the engine” with my leg—a fundamental shift for someone raised riding thoroughbreds with their own natural impulsion.

Above: Riley with Amigo at Kentucky Horse Park.

This period brought competitions at venues I’d only dreamed of—the International Arena at WEF, the Derby Field at the Palm Beach Masters, the Kentucky Horse Park, World Equestrian Centre and more. I jumped my first $25,000 and $50,000 Grand Prix classes, placed second in a U25 championship, and got to live the dream I’d had when leaving Australia.

But here comes my second piece of advice: understand the financial reality if you don’t have substantial funding. While competing at these prestigious venues, I was earning US$500 weekly and spending $1,000-2,000 per show on entries alone. I essentially gambled a month’s salary on each week of competition, desperately chasing prize money to offset costs.

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This financial pressure is often the difference between riders who make it to the top and those who don’t. In an environment with the world’s best riders as your competition, you’re only as good as your horse—and accessing top-level horses requires either significant funding or building extraordinary trust with owners who will let you compete their valuable assets. This creates immense pressure to prove your worth consistently.

The psychological impact of this pressure affected my performances until I invested heavily in my mental game, studying books like “The Inner Game of Golf” by W. Timothy Gallwey and “Mind Games” by Annie Vernon. I learned that the sport is very much a mental game, with top riders differentiating themselves through diligent preparation that frees up mental space to focus when it matters most. Young Riders need to prepare for this psychological challenge as much as the technical aspects of the sport.

Tragedy and Pandemic: Testing Resilience

The winter of 2020 brought devastating loss. My mare Utah, whom I co-owned and had developed a deep bond with, perished along with five other horses in a barn fire in Kentucky. I watched helplessly on security cameras as the barn burned—one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.

This tragedy coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our farm in Wellington locked down immediately, with only one person allowed to leave for groceries. We continued showing with masks after just a one-week interruption to the circuit. Living in Florida during the pandemic and Trump presidency created a surreal backdrop to an already challenging time.

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Later that year, while competing at WEF, a young horse named Pele misjudged a takeoff in a jump-off, crashed through the jump, and landed on his side. I hit my head hard on impact and was knocked unconscious. My first memory is in the ambulance as paramedics were cutting my clothes off, my first words were “at least take me out to dinner first”—somehow capturing my attempt to maintain humor in a sobering situation.

For those considering international careers, my third piece of advice: develop resilience and a support system. The highs are incredible, but the lows can be devastating, especially when you’re thousands of kilometers from family. I used to ride the highs and lows which brought a lot of volatility and have put in many hours of self development to stay balanced through the ups and downs.

The Journey Home

My return to Australia came after unexpected detours through Greece and Costa Rica in 2021. Denied re-entry to the US after a vacation due to a pandemic-related visa issue, I spent 19 hours in airport detention before being sent back to Greece. Unable to return to Australia due to our closed borders, I found myself unexpectedly in Costa Rica for two weeks before finally making it back to the US.

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This experience, coupled with growing burnout from the industrial side of the sport, led me to reassess my path. I had become disillusioned with the commoditization of horses, the relentless pressure, and the business-first mentality that dominated the competitive scene. I longed to reconnect with family and explore what life might look like outside the all-consuming horse world I’d been immersed in for years.

In late 2021, I returned to Australia with no clear plan for continuing in competitive showjumping, but with a desire to find a healthier relationship with the sport and the animals that had always been my passion.

Young Riders should understand that careers evolve and priorities shift. What seems like your ultimate goal at 19 may look different at 24. Be open to these changes rather than viewing them as failures.

Rediscovering Purpose

Back in Australia, I initially kept my distance from the competition scene. The contrast between international and domestic circuits was stark, and I needed time to recalibrate. I focused on coaching, particularly with Ruby Davis-Rice, whom my sister Steph was training. Ruby and her mother Katherine have been incredible throughout this transition period, providing me with an opportunity to stay connected to horses while sharing my knowledge. Watching Ruby develop as a rider has been immensely rewarding and I find coaching a great way to continue learning about myself and horses. It was nice to keep a connection with horses while I built Unwind Escapes, a glamping retreat at my family’s Central Coast property, allowing me to explore entrepreneurial interests outside the equestrian world. I had endeavoured to build a relationship with horses in which I could step in to, and then step out of rather than be totally consumed by as I previously had been.

During this period, I started in a young homebred horse called TM Christiano Ronaldo (Ronnie), out of Yirrkala Exclusiv—a mare my sister Steph had great success with. After initial training, Ronnie moved to my sister’s place in Cowra, where she continued his development. With my step back from competition, I gained perspective on what had drawn me to horses in the first place.

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The turning point came in late 2024 when I discovered “Old Men and Horses” by Ross Jacobs on my grandmother’s bookshelf. His approach to horsemanship resonated deeply, offering a path back to what I’d loved before the pressures of high-level competition. When I discovered Ross was giving a clinic nearby, I attended with just a notebook, absorbing everything I could.

This renewed connection inspired me to bring Ronnie to live with me full-time between Christmas and New Year 2024. This timing worked perfectly as my sister is pregnant with her second child and focusing on developing Team Mackillop Equestrian with its two beautiful new arenas and growing Central West Equestrian Club.

Applying groundwork and horsemanship practices has transformed our relationship in just four months. He now free-roams on our property and just yesterday he let me tack him up without a halter. We communicate in a way that feels like a true partnership—something I’ve never experienced before with any horse. This deep connection is precisely what I was searching for when I left the industrial side of the sport in America. For the first time in my career, I’m giving a horse the time and attention that the high-volume, fast-paced competition world never allowed.

Back in the Ring with Fresh Perspective

With this renewed approach, Ronnie and I have found early success in 2025, jumping 10 clear rounds in 13 classes with a 25% win rate. He won the 6-year-old class at Sydney Jumping Association and the Amateur of the Year at the Autumn Classic.

Above: Riley Mackillop with TM Christiano Ronaldo (Ronnie) at SJA earlier this year.

Our trip to Dressage and Jumping with the Stars in Werribee demonstrated his potential at the national level. He scored 93.5% on day one and 90.3% on day two, placing us 0.4 points off the lead heading into the final day. His talent has been recognised by Olympic Silver Medallist Christopher Burton who described him as “an absolute ripper, very careful, very clever, very watchful” and noted “there is everything to like” about his model and jump. This gave my approach and training in the lead up to the competition validation and has given me even more belief in my new philosophy. The final day I made an error putting us out of contention for the win, however we walked away with a great experience. This taught us a valuable lesson about championship formats.

Ronnie is now confidently competing at 1.20m, recently winning the Alan Hodge Memorial at Equestrian in the Vines sponsored by Roycroft Stables—a particularly meaningful achievement given Vicki’s role in my early development.

Lessons for young Australian Riders

For those dreaming of international careers, here’s what I wish I’d known:

• The scale difference is enormous. American and European shows operate like corporations rather than community events. Teams occupy entire stable blocks decorated in team colors, with some shows running continuously for months. This creates incredible learning opportunities but also culture shock.
• Financial reality is harsh. Even while earning a salary, competing at top levels often means spending more than you make. Plan accordingly and be prepared for financial pressure to affect your riding.
• Different systems work. Be open to new methods while maintaining your critical thinking. What works for one horse or rider may not work for you.
• Mental strength is as important as technical skill. The pressure of international competition magnifies every insecurity. Invest in your mental game early.
• Precision and detail is paramount. Give your horse your full attention, avoid using your phone or getting distracted. If you do not give your horse your attention, you cannot expect them to give you theirs. You need to be precise in the questions you ask of them when leading, lunging, riding and competing, and you need to reward them with feeling. Read Ross Jacobs’ “Old Men and Horses” to understand this fundamental truth that took me years to discover.
• Success in the ring stems from excellence outside it. Nutrition, training, equipment, and mental preparation culminate in performance. Read widely—Peder Fredricson’s “Six Feet Above” offers incredible insights into strategy and horse care.
• Finding your why matters. Competition alone isn’t enough to sustain passion through the inevitable challenges. Connect with your deeper motivation.

The contrast between international and Australian showjumping remains significant. Now that I’m older with a different perspective, I find myself more comfortable at Australian shows—a stark change from my earlier years when I found our domestic environment stressful. Interestingly, despite the faster pace overseas, I often felt less stressed there because the shows were more systematic.

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While the quality of our shows and facilities is improving, and our community spirit is strong, I still believe that riders with ambitions of competing at the top level should consider going overseas. The opportunity ceiling is dramatically higher internationally, though it takes years if not decades of commitment to fully realise this potential—especially given the modern sport’s increased financial barriers.

The pinnacle of the sport is diverging further from the mean, with top riders increasingly dominating major shows and monopolising access to the best horses. Even those who break through to this elite level face an agonising choice that few outside the sport understand: cash in on the horse that got you there to find some financial stability, or take a risk and keep competing? This difficult decision prevents many talented riders from sustaining careers at the sport’s highest levels.

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My journey has come full circle—from a Colombian podium that first connected me to international showjumping through to American grand prix rings and back to Australian soil. Through it all, the horses remain the constant, and my greatest joy now comes from the relationship rather than just the results.

I’m currently seeking an investor to help maintain my partnership with Ronnie as we progress up the ranks. His talent is undeniable, and I believe he has the potential to compete at the highest levels.

For those curious about international showjumping, I produce a free weekly newsletter covering the 5* global scene at JumpOff.news. I created this because I personally want to keep up with international showjumping, and I thought others in our Australian community might appreciate this resource as well. It delivers a concise wrap-up of the world’s top competitions directly to your inbox each week, helping bridge the gap between our domestic scene and global developments.

Article By Riley Mackillop: 100 Horses Taught Me Technique, One Horse Taught Me Truth: What Five Years in American Showjumping Taught Me About Horses and Myself. 

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