Biography

British-based New Zealander Dan Jocelyn (52) last competed at Badminton in 2018 gaining his seventh completion of the event. With Blackthorn Cruise he completed Burghley in 2019 and last year placed 13^th in the 4*L at Boekelo. Badminton will be a first at the level for Cooley one Too Many with who he completed the 4*L at both Bramham and Blenheim last year.

Dan, who was born in New South Wales Australia, runs a training yard near Oaksey in Wiltshire with his wife Emma, finding and producing young horses.

Dan came to prominence with Silence with who he represented New Zealand in the 2002 WEG (12th) and the 2004 Olympic Games (30^th). The combination was previously selected for the 2000 Sydney Olympics but had to withdraw due to injury. With Silence, who was bred at the Mamaku stud, Dan contested four-star events for 11 seasons and after his retirement after Burghley in 2008 Silence was competed at lower level events by British team dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer. Dan then competed the full brothers Special Attorney and Special Advocate up to and at four-star.

In 2021 he broke his leg in a fall at Hartpury requiring surgery.

He trains with Alex Franklin

In his spare time Dan enjoys golf.

Blackthorn Cruise owned by Panda Christie and rider is a 14-year-old registered Irish Sport Horse gelding. He is by the KWPN show jumper Vancouver out of Ms Cruise by Cruising. Ms Cruise is also the dam of Clonkee Stud’s approved jgrand prix jumping stallion Numero Cruise as well as the showjumpers Kan Cruise and Ukato Cruise both competing in Ireland. Blackthorn Cruise was acquired by Panda as a five-year-old from Vere Phillips and has been produced by Dan. He is described as not very friendly but with a great competitive instinct.

Cooley One Too Many owned by the Jack Syndicate, is a 15-year-old registered Irish Sport Horse gelding. He is by Jack of Diamonds out of a mare by Delamain. He was formerly ridden in his formative years by Frankie Clapham and then produced to 4* by Daisy Berkeley. Dan took the ride at the beginning of 2022. Jack was part of a ‘buy one get one free’ deal from the sales in Ireland. He is described as ‘sharp’ and his life is described as ‘colourful’.