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“All I can do is to work as hard as possible to get it done,” Great Britain’s Grace Debney says about her approach to achieving her goals. Last year, the 19-year-old took team bronze with the British young riders, and placed sixth individually, at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children in Oliva Nova, Spain. 

To World of Showjumping, Debney – who has lived in the United States for the past fifteen years – tells about how it felt to join a team where she practically knew no one, about her amazing string of horses and how the future of British showjumping looks bright.

Grace inherited her love for horses from her mother Karen, who rides dressage. “She could not keep me away – even though she tried really hard, but I latched on,” Grace tells. “She did not want to be at the barn with a baby running around; I used to go under the horses and do all sorts of dangerous things, and all she wanted was to ride her horse in peace. She would even dress in normal clothes when leaving to the barn, so I would not think she was going there… However, eventually, she got me a mini-pony, and that was that.”

She could not keep me away – even though she tried really hard, but I latched on

“I started out doing dressage like my mom, but I thought it was a bit boring, so when I was around seven, I switched over to jumping,” Grace continues. “Very quickly, it became a passion rather than just a hobby. As soon as I started training with Shadow Ridge Farm’s Samantha Schaefer and Kate Conover, I became a lot more serious – I was ten at the time. I started to go to all the big shows with my ponies, really fell in love with the sport and dedicated everything to it.” 

“I went to a normal high school, and graduated early, as they were really good about my absences,” Grace continues. “We have a barn at home, where we have 25 horses from other people who board their horses at our place. When I was younger, I would ride the clients’ horses at home, and my own show ponies would be at Shadow Ridge.”

Right now, Grace is based in Wellington, Florida. “A lot has changed for me in the past two years,” she says. “I rent stalls here with my four horses and it is a bit of a step up for me; together with my groom, I am now taking care of the horses myself and I am in charge of them. My trainers come from Ocala – four hours away – to help me at shows. However, during the weekdays I am in charge alone which is a change because I am used to having my horses in Shadow Ridge’s care and just ride them."

A lot has changed for me in the past two years

"I am excited for this new setup. Samantha and Kate have been training me forever and we have made a very successful team. We work really well together, and they are always looking out for me – I have been so lucky to have them. It is hard to find people like that, who are always looking to do what is right for you.”

Even though Grace has lived in the United States for over fifteen years, she represents Great Britain. “I was born in Great Britain, and my whole family is from there. We moved to USA because of my dad’s job, but we go back a lot,” she explains. “I travelled over to Europe for six weeks last summer and based at Francois Mathy’s. I plan to do a similar thing this summer, even though I don’t have a concrete plan put in yet. I absolutely loved Europe and could see myself living there; it is a whole new world – the sport is a lot bigger and there is a lot more happening.”

“It was definitely a little bit challenging; I did not know anyone there and it was a bit strange not knowing my own team members,” Grace continues to tell about her experience at the Europeans. “However, everyone was so welcoming, and I made many amazing friends. There was such good quality in the team; we pushed each other to do well. After being in bronze position coming into the last round, I had the last jump down, which was a little bit heartbreaking, and I finished sixth individually. However, I still could have been doing juniors and I got to be on the young rider team, which was cool. I still have a few years to go back and try to get it again.”

For me it was huge that I was considered and got to be on a team of that calibre

“Getting to Oliva Nova was my biggest goal last year. I feel like as riders we work so hard all year to go to an event like a championship, so the feeling of getting to go there is just so special. It feels like you have achieved what you needed to achieve; you have made the team – but once you are there, you got to work hard to prove that you deserve to be there and do a good job. I think these championships are so important for the sport. For me, I would say getting to go to the Europeans was one of my biggest achievements so far. I had it in the back of my head, but I am in America and don’t get seen that much, so for me it was huge that I was considered and got to be on a team of that calibre. I was super proud that I went there and did well, it was fun to get myself out there and let people know I am here.”

“It is intimidating, walking into the higher-level classes,” Grace says about moving from the youth classes into senior level. “Especially in Wellington, I get to compete with some of the world’s top rider and it is definitely intimidating knowing some very strong people are coming behind you. However, I feel so confident in my horses – I have some really amazing horses in my string – and knowing that helps a lot.” 

The 12-year-old mare Boheme de La Roque (Kannan x Quick Star) was Grace’s ride for the Europeans. “I got her two years ago, and to me she is one of a kind,” Grace tells. “I clicked with her from our first show onwards, and felt like such a special team with her. She is very careful, but she has to have a lot of trust in her rider to get it done and I feel like our belief in each other is why we work so well together.” 

I have an amazing string of horses right now

“Zarina de Vidau (Diamant de Semilly x Couer du Nuit) has stepped up and won a lot last year,” Grace continues. “We bought her as an 8-year-old to jump 1.40m and maybe some 1.45m but she has ended up winning on five-star level. She is very special to me, like my rock; I can always count on her. Then I have two newer horses; Agadance van’T Gelutt Z (Aganix de Seigneur Z x Cadence van’T Gelutt Z) is one of them and I own him together with Jos Lansink. I am still learning to get to know him as I only just got him, but I walk into the ring and have a lot of confidence in him as he is so predictable every time.”

“I have an amazing string of horses right now. We are always looking to expand and make the team as good as we can. I try to focus on securing a top team of horses, which is obviously extremely difficult, both financially and in terms of finding the right matches. This year, during the Wellington-season, one of my biggest goals with Agadance is jumping some bigger classes. He is very different than my other horses – who are smaller, speedy mares – as he is bigger and way scopier. Over the summer, I would like to ride on a few more teams and making the senior team is a huge dream of mine. I try to work really hard and not get too much into my head about it. All I can do is to work as hard as possible to get it done.”

With several young talents, the future of British showjumping looks bright. “We have so many talented young riders coming up in Great Britain, it is a bit intimidating,” Grace says. “I try to keep up, but we have some special riders and hopefully that makes for a strong team for us in the future. In the next few years, we do have important events coming up, so it is looking exciting.” 

“It is hard in this sport; there are thousands of good riders. It is not easy, but I would really like to go all the way and jump all the big championships – to do it all. Right now, it is a dream, but I am willing to put in the work. It takes hard work, a lot of luck, and you need the right people in your corner. You got to make your own connections, and I think the biggest challenge for any young rider is climbing the ranks, finding the right horses and the right owners. Obviously, it is not a simple sport in any manner – sometimes the riding is the easiest part.”

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