Maddi Foster and Revelwood Desmond. Image by Ashley Grant – The Blachat.
After a decade away from dressage, Maddi Foster has returned to the sport with renewed purpose, building a remarkable partnership with the charismatic gelding Des and rediscovering harmony, confidence and Grand Prix dreams along the way.
There are some riders who never really leave the sport – even when life takes them in a completely different direction. For Maddi Foster, dressage was always there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to return. That moment came not just with a decision, but with a horse: a chestnut gelding Revelwood Desmond, known fondly as Des, whose personality, talent and quiet charisma would shape a new chapter defined by patience, partnership, and a rediscovered sense of purpose.
Maddi’s mum, Linda Foster, knew that Des would be the right horse; pictured here competing at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC). Image by Rodney’s Photography.
“The fire never
really went away…”
“I’ve ridden throughout my life and competed up until I was 15,” Maddi explains. “But then my heart went to competitive dance.”
It was a shift that might seem like a departure, but in hindsight, it was more of a detour – one that would later influence her riding in unexpected ways. A decade later, the pull of dressage proved impossible to ignore.
“The fire never really went away,” she says. “So I made the decision to come back to it competitively and begin the search for my own horse.”
That search, as it turned out, was remarkable short-lived.
A HORSE CALLED DES
The partnership between Maddi and Des began in March 2023. “A brief mention to Robert Schmerglatt was the beginning of my journey with Des,” Maddi says. “He arrived in our paddock, in Pitt Town NSW, just a week and a half later from Victoria.”
Before that, Des had already built a solid foundation. Trained and competed in Melbourne under Judy Smith and owned by Anthea Hayes, he had worked up to Small Tour level – a credential that hinted at his potential but didn’t fully reveal what lay beneath.
By breeding, he carries undeniable quality: he is by Desperados out of Revelwood Florentine (Ferrero Rocher x Donnerhall). But like all horses, his true value couldn’t be measured on paper alone.
“To be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure about him when we first went to look,” Maddi admits. “He was the first horse we saw, and I didn’t want to jump the gun.”
It was her mother, Linda Foster, who saw something more. “Mum was very sure about him. She said there was much more in this horse than you first see – and she was absolutely right.”
Maddi and Des competing at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea in the Intermediate B. Image by Ashley Grant – The Blachat.
PERSONALITY PLUS
If first impressions of Des were understated, it didn’t take long for his true personality to emerge.
“Since joining our family, he’s really come out of his shell,” Maddi says. “He’s become personality plus.”
That personality manifests in equal parts cheekiness and charm. Des is curious, social, and deeply interactive – a horse who doesn’t just exist in his environment, but actively engages with it.
“He’s the kind of horse you could take to a party where he doesn’t know anyone, and he’d leave knowing absolutely everyone,” she laughs. “He tries to make friends with every horse he meets – though it’s not always reciprocated.”
At home, he’s something of a stable favourite. A “young soul” with a puppy-like quality, he approaches each day with enthusiasm – whether that’s greeting his paddock mates, investigating visitors, or checking for last-minute treats before being turned out.
“No person is ever left un-investigated,” laughs Maddi.
But beyond the humour and lightness, there’s a deeper quality that defines Des: his growing confidence and willingness to connect.
“There’s constant two-way communication with him,” she explains. “That’s something I really value.”
Maddi and Des competing at the stunning Willinga Park, Maddi’s “dream venue” to compete at. Image by Simon Scully.
LEARNING TO LISTEN
While the partnership formed quickly, true harmony took time – shaped not just by the horse, but by the rider’s own evolution.
Coming from a background in competitive dance, Maddi was accustomed to high energy, adrenaline, and performance-driven intensity. Dressage, particularly at the upper levels, required something different.
“With Des, I had to learn to adjust to a calmer, zoned-in focus,” she says. “That was the only way we could really hear each other.”
It wasn’t always smooth sailing – especially in the early days of competition. “Des needing me to be calmer and zoned in was definitely more heightened at shows,” she admits. “So it wasn’t necessarily a consistently smooth start.”
Through it all, one thing that remained constant was Des’ attitude. “He always had an unwavering willingness to please – sometimes too much,” Maddi adds.
Training became a process not just of developing strength and correctness, but of building understanding. Sessions in the arena are balanced with time outside it – a deliberate approach to maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing.
“He communicates what he needs as soon as you get on,” Maddi smiles. “Sometimes that means there’s no choice – he knows exactly where he wants to go.”
That might involve a wander through the forest, a visit to the Hawkesbury River or a curious inspection of other horses’ paddocks.
“He does like to suss things out,” she says. “And he has a bit of a habit of taking or using things that aren’t his.”
Willinga Park’s 2026 Dressage by the Sea was a breakthrough moment for Maddi and Des. Image by Simon Scully.
A FAMILY FOUNDATION
At the centre of Maddi’s journey is a strong and enduring partnership with her mother and coach, Linda Foster.
“Everything I know and am as a rider is because of her,” Maddi says.
Growing up surrounded by FEI horses and high-level training, she absorbed knowledge long before stepping back into the competitive arena herself. Watching her mother work and being exposed to respected instructors from across Australia and beyond laid the groundwork for her return.
Now, that relationship has evolved into a collaborative partnership. “We work really well together,” she says. “I think that’s something people notice, whether they visit our stables or see us at a show.”
Additional guidance from Jenny Gehrke has also played a key role in refining the combination. “That input has been incredibly valuable in helping Des and I find our harmony,” Maddi adds.
THE WILLINGA MOMENT
Every partnership has a breakthrough moment – the point where the pieces come together and the potential becomes reality.
For Maddi and Des that moment came at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea in February.
“Competing at Willing was a quiet dream and has been the absolute highlight of my journey with Des,” she shares. “It was my first time that I’ve been able to compete there, as working full time, it’s not always easy to get time off.”
“It still feels surreal, the success we had there,” she says. “A lot of things really came together for us, especially in the Inter B.”
There were challenges of course – including the imposing presence of the venue’s big screen. “Des had to put his brave pants on,” she laughs. “I’m sure he thought it was some kind of monster.”
But beyond the scores and results – which included a third with 65.353% in the CDI2* Intermediate A, a win by 4% in CDI2* Intermediate B with 70.540%, and another win in the CDN Intermediate A/B Freestyle with 69.609% – what mattered most was something that mirrored those wins.
“It was the recognition of the work we’d been putting in,” Maddi says. “And a recognition of what a talented, beautiful horse he is.”
Maddi and Des competing at SIEC. Image by Rodney’s Photography.
STEPPING INTO GRAND PRIX
Since Willinga, the pair have taken the next step – successfully competing at Grand Prix level at Ballodair Park. It’s a milestone that represents the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
“My dream has always been to compete Grand Prix,” says Maddi.
Now, the focus shifts from arrival to consolidation. As anyone knows who has ridden Grand Prix – it’s one thing getting there, it’s another thing perfecting it.
“We’re working on settling into Big Tour and continuing to develop strength,” she explains. “It’s about seeing how far we can go, and achieving the best that we can.”
BALANCING TWO WORLDS
Away from the arena, life is anything but quiet. Maddi’s weeks are defined by a demanding full-time career as a lawyer in the city, complete with long commutes and late hours – a stark contrast to the rhythm of the stables.
“It’s a constant balancing act,” she says. “No two weeks are ever exactly the sane.”
Weekends, however, are non-negotiable. “They’re entirely horse-focused,” she says. “Training, spending time with Des, helping Mum – it’s busy but it’s what fills my cup.”
It’s a lifestyle that requires support, organisation, and a deep sense of commitment – but for Maddi, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
THE ART OF FREESTYLE
Alongside her riding, Maddi has carved out a niche in another creative corner of the sport: designing dressage freestyles. It’s a natural extension of both her upbringing and her background in dance. Her freestyles recently featured on the world stage, with Serena Ireland using her to design her World Cup Freestyle.
“I’d always had a hand in creating Mum’s freestyles,” she says. “Then people started asking who made them, and it grew from there.”
Designing a freestyle is far more than simply selecting music. It’s a detailed, highly individualised process that considers the horse, the rider, and the environment in which they perform.
“The music has to complement not just the rhythm, but the movement,” she explains. “You don’t want to overpower or diminish what the horse is expressing.”
There are practical considerations too – particularly for horses that may be sensitive to atmosphere and sound. “Some combinations need music that helps them, rather than adds pressure,” she says.
Equally important is the rider’s vision. “Some want to tell a story. Others have a specific genre in mind. Music is very personal – but it’s not always the best fit for the horse.”
At its best, a freestyle becomes more than a test – it becomes an experience. “I always try to highlight the personalities of the horse and rider,” she says. “And to create something that evokes a feeling or tells a story.”
That storytelling element is where her dance background comes into its own. “There’s definitely a link there,” she says.
Maddi’s freestyles often feature subtly quirks – moments of light and shade that create contrast and interest, both for audiences and judges. “A cohesive theme is really important,” she explains. “Ideally, the music should flow so seamlessly that it feels like one piece.”
It’s a deceptively complex task, and one she believes is often misunderstood.
“There’s a big gap in what people think is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in freestyle design,” she says. “It’s something that needs more education.”
Maddi created the freestyle that Serena Ireland performed at the FEI World Cup Final. Image by Shannon Brinkman Photo.
LOOKING AHEAD
For now, Maddi’s focus with Des remains firmly on the partnership at the heart of it all. As for the future, the goals are both simple and ambitious.
“To achieve the best that we can,” she says. “And see where that takes us.”
It’s a philosophy grounded not in pressure, but in possibility – shaped by experience, guided by feel, and built on a partnership that continues to evolve. Because if there’s one thing this journey has shown, it’s that sometimes the most meaningful progress doesn’t come from pushing harder – but from learning to listen.
And in that quiet space between horse and rider, harmony can finally take shape. EQ
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