David Cameron and Beijing LS La Silla. Image by Andrew Ryback Photography.
A favourite family saying is: “Progress is like a wheelbarrow – if you don’t push it, it stops.” David Cameron’s wheelbarrow has been onward and upward from the moment he began to move it.
Born 42 years ago in Forbes in the Central West of NSW, David, along with twin brother Ian, first started riding at the age of six. Their grandfather gave the twins their first ponies — starting a lifelong love of horses for David.
Dave and RR Dyranta after becoming the 2015 Australian Senior Jumping Champions. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
“He really kept me
keen on the sport.”
“Powder Puff was bombproof. He jumped, sported, won heaps of ribbons, and was an incredible horse to learn on. My first real competition horse was Krome, a Warmblood by Kassiber. I jumped my first World Cups with him, and he really kept me keen on the sport.”
David attended Charles Sturt University, where he played rugby and continued to ride when home on school breaks. After finishing his studies, he taught physical education at Parkes High School for four years before becoming a full-time professional horseman. He based in Sydney where he competed, taught, and trained with his partner, Tallara; they married in 2017. In 2020, the couple were jointly named Equestrian Australia NSW Coach of the Year for jumping.
DUAL YARDS
Today, they have a thriving business at Redleaf Lodge in Wilberforce, a rural town on the outskirts of north-west Sydney. They purchased this property from Lesley and Alan Hargreaves whose daughter, Julia, is married to Irish showjumping international Denis Lynch. Tallara is at the helm of Redleaf Lodge, with an exceptional coaching and competition record.
Dave and Tallara Cameron at Redleaf Equestrian (2020) with two of their horses and working pupils. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Eighteen thousand kilometres away, in a region known as ‘the horse capital of the world’, David has been developing another yard.
“I’ve been based in Ocala, Florida, seven minutes from the World Equestrian Center,” he explained to Equestrian Life when he returned to Wilberforce for a few weeks in December. “It’s phenomenal, you have to see it to believe it. The riders who came out for the League of Nations show jumping said it was the best venue in the world.”
David had been to America during Covid with a couple of horses to compete and sell; the Camerons decided David should return to compete at the top shows.
“In Australia, the level of competition is always improving, but you can’t compare it to the depth and the number of events in America. Our business now in Ocala is sustainable, it’s a good lifestyle, and fits in well with the Australian business,” added David. “The weather is similar to Brisbane — hot and humid in summer, and great in winter.
Tallara competing with Oaks Come by Chance. Image by Oz Shotz Photography.
“In the past I’ve spent time in Europe, but I feel America is better for the way I do horses. Where we are in Ocala is such a good place for them to learn and develop. They’re out much of the time in big paddocks with lots of grass, similar to Australia.”
He feels another plus is the attitude of the people. “Americans are very positive, they believe anyone can do anything, which is uplifting.”
There are currently 18 horses in his Ocala yard. “A couple are owned by us, a few part-owned, and the others belong to clients who train out of our barn.”
David’s mornings begin at 6.30am after he has done his stretches. He grades the arena, rides his own horses, then begins coaching and training.
Maddison Stephen works with him in the business. This 33-year-old show jumper, originally from Western Australia, has been enjoying success at the major competitions with her horse Yalambis Ikon. And then there is 25-year-old Sam Watson, from Mummel, near Goulburn. “He’s my right-hand man; I couldn’t run the whole show without him.”
Dave and Beijing LS La Silla winning the $32,000 1.45m CSI2* Speed class during the Ocala Summer Series VII at the World Equestrian Center in Florida in July, 2025. Image by Andrew Ryback Photography.
David shares that he consistently competes at national to (FEI) CSI5* level in Ocala and other venues within a day’s drive. “Being competitive in this sport is very challenging, so you need the right horses and to be tactful about entering classes that best suit them. I like to have a Grand Prix horse and a young horse coming through. Having a Grand Prix horse that is prepared physically and mentally to be competitive in an FEI ranking class is very beneficial for both prize money and FEI points. The horse I’m presently riding in these ranking classes is Laura Sloey’s stallion Beijing LS La Silla, which helps support the younger horses.”
In mid-2025, David competed Beijing in 14 ranking classes over the 12-week long Ocala Summer Series at the World Equestrian Center. The pair saw incredible results, finishing top four or better in 11 of those classes, ranging from CSI2* to CSI4*.
To win in show jumping you must be talented, technical, and committed; you also need to be fit. “As well as the daily stretches, I do Pilates several times a week and run regularly — it’s part of being an athlete and maintaining top fitness in my 40s. Hard to juggle at times, but I’ve always tried to make fitness a priority — without that, the rest of it doesn’t work so well.”
Healthy eating is also important, and David says food can be a bit of a problem. America has big servings, and often little nutrition. “You have to be disciplined,” he says. “But there’s a good grocery store near us which has fresh produce. Luckily Sam, who shares the house, is an excellent cook.”
LONG TERM GOALS
One of David’s targets is to have a couple of horses aiming for the 2028 LA Olympics. “We currently have two exciting horses in the pipeline,” reveals David. “We’re not directing our interest at the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen. It doesn’t suit the horses we currently have — I think Aachen is going to be a championship for older, more experienced horses.
“Right now, we have a good group of like-minded owners all on the same page. Plus, I have a couple of students who I think have the potential to represent their country’s teams. So I get to kick some goals riding-wise, and as a coach.”
And who coaches the coach? “Callan Solem. She has represented America on numerous Nation’s Cups teams, and I feel in the last few years she’s played a big part in my successes. She really specialises in the connection between you and your horse.”
“These are exciting times,” he declares, “and our business model is getting better and better.”
And so, the ever-moving wheelbarrow continues up the hill. EQ
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