The Gold Couch: A Conversation with Jess Land

Welcome to our very first "Gold Couch" interview! We are so excited to share this conversation with a truly inspiring local Canterbury, NZ, equestrian and our wonderful Brand Ambassador, Jess Land.

I'll never forget watching Jess at a show back in 2022. It wasn't just her skill over a 1.40m course; it was the quiet confidence, the grit, and the clear partnership she had with her horse. You can tell a lot about a person by how their horse responds to them, and it was that combination of strength and grace that told us she was a perfect fit for the Crawford Hill family.

Since then, it has been incredible to watch her journey. While her move into the world of racehorse training is so exciting, we've always been inspired by her deep dedication to rehoming off-the-track thoroughbreds. It takes a special kind of person and patience to do that work, and as Jess says, it’s hard not to fall in love with every one of them. And she has every right to be proud of her accomplishments. In 2022, she set a new record for herself, but it was so much more than a number. It meant that 151 thoroughbreds were given the chance to start new careers and find new purpose after racing. That’s the kind of passion we are so honoured to support.

Jess is the epitome of the Crawford Hill woman we design for: Resilient enough to handle the 4 AM starts and the unpredictability of working with thoroughbreds, and Bold enough to forge her own path in the competitive racing world.

That incredible journey is exactly what we wanted to talk about. So, what's it like to move from the precision of the showjumping arena to the high-stakes world of racing? We sat down with Jess to chat all about this challenging but rewarding new chapter, her recent wins, and what the future holds.

Settle in and listen to her inspiring story—we know you'll enjoy it.

Key Takeaways from Our Chat

• Life on both sides of the track: The unique skills required for showjumping versus training thoroughbreds for racing.
• The mindset of a champion: How Jess handles the pressure of competition and the setbacks that come with working with powerful animals.
• A day in the life: The reality behind the glamour—from early starts to the quiet moments that make it all worthwhile.
• Her philosophy on choosing gear: Why she values beautiful equipment that is also built to withstand the rigours of a professional equestrian life.

Shop the Look

We loved that Jess wore her favourite Two Tone Snaffle Bangle and Bling Horse Bit Half Snaffle during our chat—a piece as strong and stylish as she is. It’s the perfect everyday piece for a life that demands both grit and grace.

Shop the Two Tone Snaffle Bangle Here