Born in Saitama, 1 hr north of Tokyo Japan in 1983, Daiki didn’t see a real horse until he was 14 years of age. He immediately developed a big passion for horses. It didn’t take him long to realize that Japan was a difficult place to start riding for a kid like himself. So at 16 years old he decided to enroll in the Australian Racing Industry Training Centre in Murwillumbah NSW, to train as a jockey.
Although he graduated the jockey school with the best rider award, he found himself strongly drawn to equestrian riding. He moved to Brisbane in 2001, where he studied to become an EA level 1 coach as well as competing in Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing. He was lucky enough to have a horse called Sioux owned by Dianne Goller. Together they competed in QLD state young rider showjumping championships and The Australian D grade Showjumping championship.
After completion of his study in 2003, Daiki moved to Cairns to work for Blazing Saddles leading trail riding, while gaining his residency in Australia. He thought that during this time there would be a break in competitions and training. As it turned out to he had even better training than in Brisbane when he met Christine Doan in Atherton!
While gaining valuable experiences at the Carrington Rd stable for 3 years, he managed to gain his residency in Australia. In 2007 following Christine’s advice and his dream to be an eventer, Daiki decided to go to the U.K. to work for Andrew and Bettina Hoy at the Hoy Stable, Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. It was meant to be a six months stay, but he ended up staying there for two years.
After the experience in Europe, Daiki moved back to Australia and based himself in Newcastle where he gets help from Heath and Rozzie Ryan and Vicki Roycroft.
He represented Japan for the Asian Pacific Challenge where he finished second. He was also short listed for the Japanese team at the Asian Games in 2010.
Now he rides two exciting eventers owned by Christine Doan.
(?) y.o. mare GT Printemps. After winning and gaining placings in small classes in her first eventing year, Daiki is hoping to take her up to One star level this year.
13 y.o. gelding Ranch Penssylvania. He has had a few CIC Two star classes in 2010 and Daiki is hoping to start him in Three star class in 2011. Daiki will also put his hand up for the Japanese team at the Olympic Games in London 2012.
In the mean time Daiki has been enjoying riding Christine’s super young dressage horse, GT Fuerst Fendi who recently won the young horse qualifier at Hunter Valley Dressage club and placed second at Dressage NSW, Clarendon.
