David Shoobridge and Toto Nation De Jeu. Image by Jess Atkins
For David Shoobridge, the road back to the saddle was never going to be defined by timelines or expectations – it was defined by choice. Choice to push forward, to rebuild, and ultimately, to return not just as the rider he was, but as a more considered, more intentional version of himself. Now, back in the saddle at Salisbury after a life-altering accident, David is not simply resuming where he left off – he is reshaping the direction.
After nearly a year away from riding following a serious head injury, David Shoobridge has only recently begun easing himself back into daily work with horses. The return has been gradual, deliberate, and deeply reflective of the journey it took to get there.
David and imported stallion Maracana (Millenium x Lord Loxley I). Image by Kate Sheffield.
“I just started riding in the last few weeks,” he explains. “It began with a couple rides on Leo [Toto Nation De Jeu], and now I’m riding three or four a day. It’s the best kind of recovery – being involved with horses on the ground, to getting back in the saddle and using muscles that I haven’t used properly in a long time.”
The accident itself left lasting physical challenges. An impact to the left side of his head resulted in bleeding across multiple areas of the brain, impacting motor function and sensation on the right side of his body. Simple actions – walking, lifting his foot, regaining coordination – became part of a structured and relentless rehabilitation process.
“My right side just didn’t function the way it should,” David shares. “Even walking, I had to re-learn how to control my leg and foot. But at every stage, I had a choice – I could accept the outcome, or I could decide to do something about it.”
David chose the latter. Initially told that rehabilitation could take months, he set himself a far more aggressive goal.
“I gave myself a week to get out of rehab,” he says. “I ended up being there for eight days. I probably left a little early, but I knew I could continue the work at home.”
That determination became the cornerstone of his recovery. Each stage was approached with a clear objective: identify the limitation, find a process, and improve it.
“It was about being outcome-driven,” he explains. “I wasn’t where I wanted to be, but it was where I needed to be. From there, it was just about making decisions that would move me forward.”
Returning to riding brought its own set of challenges – not just physical, but also mental. “The first ride, everything goes through your mind,” he says. “There’s a bit of risk analysis happening constantly. But then you realise – this is what I do. This is what I love.”
That shift has redefined his approach. “I’m not trying to prove anything anymore,” he says. “I just want to get better for myself. Better timing, better position, better decisions. That’s what matters.”
THE HORSES AND THE TEAM BEHIND SALISBURY
Central to David’s return is a strong and carefully managed team of horses, each playing a role in both his riding program and the broader vision of Salisbury, his property in Lancefield, Victoria.
At the forefront is Toto Nation De Jeu (Glock’s Toto Jr x Negro), a stallion David speaks of with genuine admiration. “He’s incredibly generous,” he says. “He puts his heart on a platter for you and asks what more he can do. He’s been amazing to reconnect with.”
While Toto Nation represents David’s own riding focus, the wider team reflects a collaborative and dynamic approach to training. Olivia Gillespie plays a key role, particularly with the young horses.
“Liv is doing a phenomenal job,” David says. “She’s calm, confident, and the horses absolutely adore her.”
David and Vittorio DS, (Vitalis x Ampere) winning at 2024 Dressage and Jumping with the Stars as a five-year-old. Image by Kate Sheffield.
Liv is responsible for producing the younger generation, often riding up to six horses a day, primarily the three and four-year-olds. Her work is essential in establishing the early foundations that underpin the training at Salisbury.
David and his partner Holly Stansfield-Smith share the riding of more established horses, while also working with client horses depending on their individual needs. Meanwhile, David’s daughter, Annabelle, remains an important part of the team, balancing her riding with school and competitive rowing.
“Annabelle’s got two horses at the moment,” he says. “She’s had to take a step back a bit because of rowing commitments, but now we’re looking ahead again and starting to think about the next horse for her.”
The structure of the team reflects a broader philosophy – flexibility over rigidity and a focus on the individual needs of each horse.
“We don’t have a one-size-fits-all system,” David explains “Some days it’s hacking, some days it’s lunging, some days it’s just getting them out and seeing the world. It’s about building confidence and familiarity.”
This approach is particularly important for the young horses, where exposure and positive experiences are prioritised over pressure. “The more contact and familiarity they have, the better,” he says. “We want them to feel comfortable and confident enough to let go and enjoy the work.”
Rather than forcing horses into a fixed structure, David believes in allowing their personalities to develop. “That’s where you get the best out of them,” he says. “If you try to push every horse into the same system, some will thrive and some won’t. We want to create an environment where they all have the opportunity to succeed.”
BREEDING FOR THE FUTURE
While the riding program continues to develop, it is Salisbury’s breeding operation that represents the most significant shift in David’s long-term focus.
After years of investment in building a strong mare base, the emphasis is now on refinement – producing a select number of elite horses with the potential to compete at the highest level.
Alongside Toto Nation De Jeu, Salisbury’s stallions include Delorean (Dancier x Weltmeyer), Maracana (Millennium x Lord Loxley I), and Verstappen DS (Vitalis x Ampere).
“The goal is to breed the best possible athletes we can,” David says. “That comes down to careful genetic selection and really understanding what each horse brings to the table.”
Rather than simply pairing mares with his high-quality stallions, the process is highly strategic. “We look at what each horse has in abundance and what they might be lacking,” he explains. “Then we try to create a cross that complements those traits and strengthens the overall result.”
David and his partner Holly Stanfield Smith with her imported mare St Pr St Dalida, by D’avie. Image by Jess Atkins.
One of the standout examples of this approach is the highly successful Vittorio line. David has bred four full brothers from this stallion with the mare PrM Amaretta, each demonstrating consistency in type, temperament and ability.
“It’s exciting because we know what we’re going to get,” David says. “They’ve got great brains, good mechanics and the potential to go all the way.”
Verstappen DS (originally Vittorio IV) is an example of this. Still owned by David but campaigned by Robbie McKinnon, the four-year-old stallion produced super results at both Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea and Dressage and Jumping with Stars, with results from 79% to 89.6%.
This kind of reliability is central to the future of the program. “We’re trying to build something where people can come to Salisbury and trust what they’re buying,” he says. “A horse that’s been bred with purpose and has the foundation to succeed.”
To support this, David plans to shift the balance of the business – retaining a smaller number of horses to produce, while making more young stock available to the market.
“We’ll keep some, particularly fillies for the breeding program,” he says. “But we want to offer foals and young horses so people can access these bloodlines earlier.”
This approach not only broadens opportunities for buyers but also strengthens domestic sport horse industry. “If we can produce these horses here and make them accessible, it changes things for Australian riders,” he says. “They don’t have to look overseas for quality.
At the same time, David continues to explore new genetic influences, with stallions like Escaneno showing particular promise within the program. “He’s incredibly powerful genetically,” David explains. “The offspring we’ve got are really exciting, but it’s a long-term investment.”
Underlying it all is a commitment to continual improvement – not just in individual horses, but in the system as a whole. “We’re always looking to evolve,” he says. “To refine what we’re doing and get better.”
LOOKING AHEAD
For David, the future of Salisbury is not defined by a single goal, but a philosophy – one built on resilience, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose.
The past year has tested that philosophy in ways few could anticipate. But it has also reinforced it. “It’s been an opportunity to recalibrate,” he reflects. “To work out what’s important and what we can do well.”
Now back in the saddle and surrounded by a talented team of horses and riders, David is moving forward with renewed clarity. “It’s the same ambition,” he says. “But maybe with a better understanding of how to get there.” EQ
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