Serena Ireland competing with Jenny Rapson’s Friesian stallion, Tjibbe. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
It’s always fascinating to hear the stories of horses that are not only competitive in their own right but who also take their owners and riders on journeys they never imagined. Few horses embody this better than the magnificent black Friesian stallion Tjibbe B.
The story of Tjibbe B (pronounced chib-ee) is one of unexpected connections, pure generosity of spirit, and the kind of magic that only comes from a truly special horse.
His journey began quite unexpectedly when Daniella Dierks received a phone call out of the blue from a young woman she didn’t know. The caller, about 19 years old at the time, was seeking advice on what to look for in a potential international dressage horse.
Daniella spoke at length, sharing her thoughts about the most important traits in a dressage prospect — temperament, trainability, natural movement and the willingness to work. When the conversation ended, Daniella thought little more of it.
Daniella Dierks and Tjibbe B competing at Preliminary level. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Six months later, the same young woman called again, excitedly saying she believed she had found the horse Daniella had described. She asked whether Daniella would take him for training and help foster his dressage career. Naturally, Daniella agreed.
When the horse arrived and stepped off the float, Daniella was met by an enormous, gleaming black Friesian stallion — fully imported, recently broken in, and absolutely breathtaking. From the first ride, she was captivated. “He was a dream,” Daniella recalls. “I said to the owner straight away I think he ticks every box we talked about!”
This would be the first Friesian Daniella had ever trained, and she was instantly taken by his temperament, his attitude and the expressive quality of his movement. His willingness to please and his intelligence shone through every day.
A NEW CHAPTER WITH JENNY RAPSON
Not long into his training, it became clear that Tjibbe might not be the ideal competitive mount for his young owner. One day while Daniella was working him, her good friend and client Jenny Rapson was at the stables. Jenny was instantly spellbound by the stallion’s power, grace, and generous nature. Daniella mentioned she had heard whispers that Tjibbe might be for sale — and from that moment Jenny was on the trail to purchase him.
Jenny was no stranger to dressage success. She had ridden her much-loved Suntori, a delightful chestnut gelding, to Small Tour level, and her equestrian property just outside Sydney was named in his honour. A B-level judge and long-time committee member, Jenny was deeply involved in the sport and understood quality when she saw it.
Though she had recently stepped back from competing, Jenny relished the chance to own a horse of Tjibbe’s calibre and to follow his journey under Daniella’s guidance. Together, Daniella and the stallion became an impressive and crowd-pleasing combination, achieving excellent results and many wins up to Elementary level.
During their time together, Jenny adored everything about Tjibbe — not only his performances but his presence. He wasn’t just a competition horse; he was a showman through and through.
He was later graded as one of the highest-rated Friesians in Australia, and his versatility was on full display when he was featured on the steps of the Sydney Opera House for a promotional event involving a soprano performance — where, of course, Tjibbe stood with poise and charm befitting his royal looks with the soprano from Attila the Hun, which was being promoted.
Jenny never missed a competition. She would stand ringside, eyes wide with admiration, feeling every movement of the horse she adored. Even though she wasn’t riding him herself, she understood, as only a true horsewoman could, how generous and composed he was. She says she felt all the feelings of riding him in the test even though she was ringside. “He was a total joy — beautiful, controlled, always aware of his job but never tense,” she says.
Despite his show-ring presence and his natural Grand Prix outline, he is trained exactly like any other normal Warmblood dressage horse. “He still has to work round and low, he still has to make a million transitions, and he has to use his back correctly. It’s not simply a matter of sitting up, accepting the frame, and producing the movement — interaction, lateral work and true submission are day-to-day progressive exercises. He is able to take on many shapes and forms to build strength and carrying capacity. His willingness and acceptance of all of this makes him an absolute delight — he truly is treated like any normal dressage horse.”
SERENA IRELAND MEETS THE GENTLEMAN
Eventually, a new chapter began for Tjibbe when Serena Ireland took up the reins, but his reputation for generosity, elegance and spirit had already been firmly established. For Jenny and Daniella, he was not just a horse, but a source of pride, learning and wonder — the kind that reminds us why we fall in love with dressage in the first place.
Before Serena took over the reins, Riley Alexander briefly guided Tjibbe to success, claiming a championship win at the Canberra Classic. However, when Riley accepted a full-time position at Glenhill Sporthorses, continuing to also campaign the Friesian stallion was no longer feasible.
Riley Alexander and Tjibbe B competing at Medium level. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge
Tjibbe needed a new rider, and that’s when fate intervened: Serena Ireland, who lives not far from Jenny on the NSW Central Coast, stepped in to continue his journey.
Since pairing up, the combination has gone from strength to strength. Serena speaks of Tjibbe with unmistakable affection and admiration: “Generosity! He is a dream to ride. He’s sensitive but quiet and accepts his training with such good grace and attitude. He has a natural talent for piaffe and passage — it’s really quite wonderful. He’s taken time to develop the strength and activity in the tempi changes, but they’re there now, and we’re looking forward to working towards the one-tempis for Grand Prix.”
Serena’s words reflect not only his capability but his heart. Tjibbe is a stallion who works with enthusiasm and softness — a rare combination that makes him a joy to watch. “There’s absolutely no need to think about putting power into this horse — it’s just there,” Serena continues. “He loves his work and loves to show off. Every time we go down the centreline, he grows an extra hand taller.”
Left: Tjibbe with Serena’s mother. Right: Serena with Tjibbe and Jenny’s granddaughter. Images supplied.
A STALLION OF DISTINCTION
Bred in the classical Friesian mould, Tjibbe embodies the breed’s famous elegance — with their unmistakable black coats, high knee action and noble carriage — but what sets him apart is his trainability. Friesians are renowned for their presence, yet not all reach the higher levels of dressage with the lightness and elasticity that Tjibbe displays.
Serena Ireland and Tjibbe B competing at the 2024 NSW Dressage Championships in Tamworth. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Serena’s patient and empathetic approach has been instrumental in harnessing his natural power into balance and self-carriage. The pair have been steadily collecting results in Medium and Advanced classes, consistently impressing judges with rhythmic, expressive paces and an ever-improving canter tour.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s about dealing with hair! Washing his tail once a week is a serious ordeal — it takes longer than riding him, and sometimes three days to dry,” laughs Serena. “And the mane… if it’s not braided down into one plait, training medium canter or medium trot is like death by hair!
“When I talk about the extended paces in trot and canter, he is quite amazing in his power and talent. You sit up behind that beautiful neck with all the power coming from behind, and I can only imagine that if you were riding him into battle, he would do everything he could to protect you. His strength, his forward desire, his huge paces — and that neck that makes you feel so secure, as long as the hair is kept out of the way!
“The whole team has become experts in hair: conditioning hair, plaiting hair — everything to do with hair! It’s just part and parcel of owning a Friesian.”
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR
Adding a touch of glamour to their story, Serena and her handsome black stallion even found themselves part of The Golden Bachelor television series, which is currently airing on Channel 9. Tjibbe joined contestant Lauren George for her red-carpet arrival at the mansion in the first episode – a scene that took place at night in the heart of Sydney, surrounded by a myriad of fairy lights and cameras.
Tjibbe B starred in episode one of The Golden Bachelor with contestant Lauren George – and Serena also made an appearance (top right). Images from 9Now.
The experience, she recalls with a laugh, was something she’ll never forget: “They asked me to tie my 700-kilogram stallion to a pot plant of an olive tree — as if! I looked at them and thought, ‘You can’t be serious!’ But that’s Chib — he stood there quietly, ears pricked, not a care in the world, while everyone else was flustered around the cameras.”
It was a scene that perfectly summed up Tjibbe’s temperament — calm, composed, and endlessly obliging — no matter the circumstances. As Serena puts it, moments like that remind her why she adores him so much: “He’s just so steady and generous. Nothing rattles him, not even television chaos!”
The playful episode added a touch of celebrity charm to their story and showed the world what those in the dressage arena already know — Tjibbe is as much a gentleman as he is a star.
LOOKING AHEAD
With clean lines of tempi changes already shown in competition and a steadily developing passage and piaffe, Tjibbe’s future looks bright. Serena is in no rush; she values harmony and correctness over haste — qualities that align beautifully with the Friesian’s generous nature.
He has had some enormous success, and the wins that impressed the most were his Medium Championship title at the 2023 Brisbane CDI; Advanced Freestyle win at the 2024 Brisbane CDI; Advanced Freestyle wins at the 2024 and 2025 NSW Dressage Championships, the latter including a PB of 75.133%; Reserve Advanced Championship title at Willinga Park’s 2025 Dressage by the Sea, where he was also the Advanced Freestyle winner and placed second in his Prix St Georges debut.
Serena and Tjibbe B have formed a strong partnership. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
“He’s not just a horse
to me – he’s a friend.”
If there is a test that suits this combination the most it has to be their dynamic performances in the freestyle! The music and dramatics and powerful performances demand attention and everyone goes to the arena to watch. He is a real showman in this respect and loves his work; it’s a true harmonious adventure!
Serena and Tjibbe’s shared journey reflects the magic that happens when talent meets empathy. As Serena puts it: “He’s not just a horse to me — he’s a friend. He tries his heart out every ride, and that’s what makes him so special.”
From his beginnings under Daniella Dierks and Riley Alexander, to his blossoming partnership with Serena Ireland, TJibbe is proving that beauty, generosity, and brilliance can come together in one truly remarkable horse. EQ
Related articles
For generations the double bridle has reigned supreme in dressage. Its delicate balance of curb and bridoon bits was seen as the mark of an educated horse and a refined rider – the final step in the classical training ladder. But times are changing, and so too is the tack.
Sophie Artup and stallion Charlie Sheen impressed at the 2025 Australian Dressage Championships in Sydney, claiming the FEI Pony Small Tour title for owner Jenny Stock, whose faith in the talented German Riding Pony continues to pay off.