YOU know that picture of the iceberg illustrating success? The visible tip of the iceberg - the rosette, the gold medal, the lap of honour - is underpinned by a huge invisible volume of work, training and tenacity.
For Dan Jocelyn, the visible tip is two top-25 finishes at Badminton this year.
The invisible graft to get to that point is exemplified by an image of the rider hobbling round a bark track on a chilly winter day, leading a horse who might or might not be sound.
The New Zealand rider has lived in Britain for nearly 30 years and is a longstanding fixture on the eventing scene - he was eighth at Badminton in 1999 and rode at two championships on his great partner Silence. But bar an appearance at the 2018 worlds as an individual, he hasn't ridden at a championship since the 2004 Olympics.
"It's definitely been a journey - from horses being taken away from me to the fact I've had some major injuries over the past nine or 10 years," he reflects.
"I stopped smoking after an accident at Gatcombe in 2013 when I broke both my arms and busted my foot. Not only could I not walk, I couldn't put my arms in crutches - I was literally immobile. I hate the pain and the whole thought of it. It's been a bit of a reflection, thinking about what your body can and can't cope with.
"I always thought of myself as the young person in the group. When I came over here, it was Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson, Blyth Tait. I don't know when it happened, but I'm the old guy now. I know how hungry all the young people are because that's what I was." But at 52, Dan's hungry too. He's spurred on by the lure of another team appearance and most of all, a medal.
"It's my only motivation - my be all and end all," he admits.
"As a rider at the highest level, I just feel unsatisfied. I've always been driven by being part of the New Zealand team and representing my country.
Esta historia es de la edición July 20, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 20, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
