Lots of young Australian riders dream about riding and training in Germany, but a young Shane Davidson actually did it. The first time he went for for six months, but then returned for several years to become a qualified Bereiter. Shane also competed his homebred stallion Fairbanks Catargo at the World Young Jumping Horse Championships in Lanaken, Belgium – the first Australian representative at this prestigious breeding showcase event.

After seven years Shane returned home to Queensland, despite a number of German training barns offering him to stay and work for them, but at the end of the day, it was back to the family stud, to training horses and also an ever expanding role as a coach. 

Watching Shane teach, it is obvious that he spent his time in Germany wisely. His message is straight out of the modern German riding canon – forward into a soft contact, the rider in balance, the horse in balance, and the horse doing the work. After meeting his wife Mattea, Shane and Mattea started Davidson where they focus on producing horses from birth to top level competition- as well as coaching riders and training, campaigning and producing horses for sale. 

Follow Shane and his wife Mattea’s journey on Instagram: @davidson_equestrian