Phillip Lever and Billionaire NZPH have been in top form with several major wins in recent months. Image by Click Capture.
Phillip Lever is riding a career high with no plans of slowing down. As the current Australian Senior Champion, Victorian Senior Champion and recently crowned the winner of the $93,000 Showcase of Showjumping Grand Prix, Phil and equine partner Billionaire NZPH have certainly proven they are ones to watch come competition day.
We caught up with Phil to learn more about his journey through the sport, his partnership with Billionaire NZPH – and a look behind the scenes at what it takes to run a successful equine business along with his life partner, Frida.
Phil and Billionaire NZPH winning the 2024 Australian Senior Jumping Championship at Willinga Park. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
As a young boy growing up in a competitive family, it was “life on the road” for Phillip Lever. “My earliest childhood memory was travelling the Nullarbor from Western Australia to shows on the east coast with my family and pets,” he recalls, adding that it was early experiences in Europe that confirmed his destiny.
“We moved to Europe as a family for a few years where I was exposed to the pinnacle of the sport – I was hooked! I rode ponies in the United Kingdom against Robert Whittaker and Ben Maher. To this day, I still have acquaintances and friendships I met with my parents there.”
Reflecting on his upbringing and introduction into the sport, Phil shares, “I was blessed to have my mum and dad guiding me. Dad was always there helping my brother Dave and I jump and manage the horses; he was always there at the practice fence at shows. Mum was great with the business side and an open ear.”
Phillip’s father, Laurie, represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Making his Olympic debut at the age of 60, Laurie was one of the oldest Olympic debutants bringing with him a lifetime of experience producing and competing jumpers from young horse to Grand Prix level. Growing up with a father competing at the highest level, Phil gained an understanding from a young age of what it takes to be successful in this industry, and the highs and lows that accompany an equestrian career.
Laurie Lever riding Drossel Dan at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Image by Split Seconds/Alamy Stock Photo.
EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE
When Phil was just 18 years old, he returned to Europe to work and ride. “My mum started Equestrian Life magazine and she was interested in the stories of successful barns who bred and trained horses across the disciplines, so she interviewed Gilbert Boeckmann. [She] then arranged for Gillie to come to Australia to give a clinic at our place (of which he did many over the years in Australia). Gillie went home and called me a few weeks later offering me a job.”
Like many young riders, Phil was encouraged to pursue an education as well as riding. “I had been accepted in art school with my portfolio of work as my parents were adamant that we all had a higher education for life learning.” That plan took a back step however when “impetuousness at 18 years of age and a love of horses and jumping” led Phil to take another path – “I ran at the opportunity to work and ride in Europe.
“[In Europe] I further developed my understanding about the systems of training and the model of consistency working in a big yard. It was hard work and I had to overcome the language barrier. The Boeckmann family were fantastic and really took me under their wings for three years.
“Over the years I moved across Europe to different opportunities in some super businesses and learnt the trade in the operations at Stal Tops, Ansger Holtgers, Yves Houtakers and Eurohorse.”
This invaluable experience working in some of the biggest and most successful jumping stables in the world put Phil in good stead to begin his own operation alongside his partner and fellow rider, Frida Lindgren.
“I ran my own business for five years before Frida and I made the decision to relocate back to Australia. I worked hard, built relationships and was lucky enough to secure some rides on fantastic horses that I was able to compete in high-level young horse and Grand Prix classes that put me on the map. It was sometimes a tough grind where you had to dig deep. It’s a long road to the top and a very competitive environment. This taught me to celebrate every victory and get straight back to the hard work the next day.”
Frida Lindgren, pictured here (competing with cracked ribs) aboard Ashleigh City Lights at Magic Millions Showjumping on the Gold Coast in 2022. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
With the depth of talent amongst Australia’s current field of juniors and young riders, it is likely many will set their sights on a European campaign. To those aspiring to ride and work at the highest level both on home soil and abroad, Phil offers some insider tips.
“A lot of roads lead to Rome! In general, you have to be a sponge, work hard and never lose sight of your end goal. Watch and listen, sit ringside watching horses and riders at shows, and make friendships that will probably be lifetime connections. Sometimes a sidestep is never a back step and resilience is key. It’s important to have family, friends and mentors that can help carry you through.”
After 15 years living and working abroad, Phil along with partner Frida relocated their business to Australia. “I think there comes a point sometimes [that draws] you back to your home community. Frida and my relationship was already comfortable and we had our own life dreams. The time just presented itself and we thought we could build a business in Australia and enjoy the lifestyle here, [which] is pretty damn good.”
Swedish native Frida has no shortage of experience, making this pair a force to be reckoned with when it comes to running a successful equestrian business. After growing up riding and producing ponies, Frida graduated from business school and worked in the banking sector for a time before returning to the sport. During this time, she worked under the watchful eye of one of Sweden’s most successful female competitors, Malin Baryard-Johnsson. Frida then moved to Ashford Farm, training and producing horses for Enda Carrol under the guidance of Marlon Zanotelli and Angelica Augustsson.
LEVER EQUESTRIAN
Running a business alongside your partner whilst trying to maintain a balance presents its challenges, but Phil and Frida have certainly found their groove. “We are strong in a ‘ying and yang’ way and aim to keep a good balance between business and a social life. Running a successful horse business requires seven days a week and long days physically and mentally, so everything needs to be scheduled. Socially we have a great time with our family and friends and also make sure we have our own time together.”
Based at Treehaven Equestrian in Somerville on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Phil and Frida have a bustling business in Lever Equestrian.
“Our business is built on training show jumping horses and coaching riders, and we have individual programs for each horse and rider that suits their own needs. We plan our days around our students, and that means early morning lessons before school or work and sometimes we ride their horses during the week.
Frida and Mabobri De Mabribo winning the Boneo Cup Grand Prix in 2024. Image by Equisoul Photography.
“We also focus on coaching at shows on the weekends and those days are very busy. We have horses and riders at all levels in our system. We are always working towards bringing out the best in each horse and rider with clear set goals.”
With between 30 and 40 horses on the property at any one time and clients coming and going all day, there is never a dull moment at Lever Equestrian. “We like to keep consistency in our operations as it’s best for the horses and staff. Our client base is predominantly on full training programs. Management is very important to us; when the horses feel and look good, they have the best opportunity to perform well.
“It takes an army to run a successful stable! We have a great team of staff who we appreciate, we surround ourselves with positive, good people and this helps bring success!” Alongside the brilliant staff, Lever Equestrian is fortunate to have the support of some fantastic businesses including Freejump, Samshield, Veredus, Parlanti, Kep Italia, CWD, Prydes Easifeed, The Tack Box/Saddleworld, Stable Ground, Struck, Australian Equine Veterinarians and Cavalor.
A GROWING SPORT
The aim at Lever Equestrian is to develop horses on home soil that can jump at Nations Cups, Olympic Games and on World Championships teams. “Australia has never won a medal at an Olympic Games for show jumping and we would really like to aim for this. The sport is growing significantly here in Australia. Horses leave here and fit quite well into a similar level in the rest of the world. Australia is a fantastic place for breeding and producing these horses, and we are currently looking at different syndications to help secure talented young horses for the future.”
The 2023 DJWTS Champion of Champions Young Jumping Horse, Bonita, owned by the Barton Family and with Phil in the saddle. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Phil and Frida have certainly proven their aptitude for breeding and developing young stock. “We pride ourselves [on it] and it gives us great satisfaction to produce quality young horses. We have had great success at the Australian Young Horse Championships [Dressage & Jumping with the Stars] each year since being back.” The results speak for themselves with an overall four-year-old championship winner, two five-year-old winners, a six-year-old winner, a seven-year-old winner and two Champion of Champions. These horses have then gone on to bigger successes in futurities and open competitions all around the country.
“It gives us great
satisfaction to produce
quality young horses.”
Phillip and Lomachenko winning the 2022 World Wetlands Day Grand Prix at Boneo Park. Lomachenko was also Champion 6YO at DJWTS in 2019 with Frida in the saddle. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
BLUE-RIBBON SUCCESS WITH ‘BROWN’
Crowned the Australian Senior Champion at the end of 2024 and recent winners of the Victorian Senior State Title and Showcase of Showjumping $93k Grand Prix aboard Deidre Hartog’s brilliant Billionaire NZPH, Phil has been riding a wave of success.
Prior to Billionaire NZPH – ‘Brown’ as he is known around the stables – joining the team, Phil and Frida had another of Deidre Hartog’s horses in competition training. “We formed a good relationship and [Deidre] offered me the ride on Brown. We didn’t really know anything about him and had seen him at the occasional show. She sent him down from Sydney and I had a small brief on the horse. Like all horses when we start with them, we are very open-minded and let them show themselves and progress from there. From the early days we knew he was a bit quirky, but showed himself as something quite special.”
In today’s sporting climate, having great owners on your side can make all the difference. Phil and Billionaire’s success is testament to this. “We include Deidre in every decision, she has had [Brown] since he was four years old and is very connected to him too.”
Phil has had great success with Deidre Hartog’s Billionaire NZPH. Image by Click Capture.
“It was a very special
time for us. A day I will
always remember!”
Winning the coveted Australian Senior Championship is something many riders dream of. For Phil who had grown up idolising many of the former winners, to have his name etched alongside those of his childhood heroes was a dream come true. He takes us back to the day.
“The day started off very busy with clients jumping in other classes. Getting closer to [Brown’s] class I was fully focused and Frida took the reins on everything else. That is how we support each other. After walking Olaf Pederson’s course with Frida, I felt confident, yet sat in the corner and tried not to watch other combinations jump as we had our own plan. After the second round, I thought I had won. Gemma Creighton and I had actually tied on points and had to jump off again. Frida told me to sit down and ‘get my head back in the game’ and I did what I was told… success!
“Afterwards, we celebrated the win with Deidre, staff, friends, and other clients. It was a very special time for us. A day I will always remember!”
As the accolades keep rolling in from young horse classes through to senior championships, Phil has two feet on the ground and a gaze firmly on the future. Always quick with a smile and a word of encouragement for others when they need it, he and Frida are fantastic role models for the next generation and are reaping the rewards of consistent, focused work. EQ
Related articles
The show jumping world was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Tulara stud principal, Mark Fraser, who along with his wife, Anna, established probably the most successful breeding ground for show jumping horses in Australia.
As the daughter of successful harness racing trainers, Allira Bond grew up around horses. At 16, she’s now carving out her own success in the show jumping world and has inherited not only her family’s love of horses, but also a sound knowledge of equine nutrition. Like her parents, she trusts HYGAIN to fuel her performance team.