Since the Wylaars family purchased Demietta as a five year old, she has gone from strength to strength as she has progressed through the grades.
Johanna Wylaars and Demietta. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Demietta was bred by Denise Sutherland in Hawkes Bay. She is by Vicki Wilson’s imported stallion, Daminos and out of Octavia Queen (Don Quattro). The Sutherland’s purchased Octavia as a four-year-old from Mark Kinaston-Smith for Denise’s daughter Lily to break in and produce as a showjumper, but first they put her in foal which brought Demietta into the world. Demietta was sold on when Lily had a change of direction and ventured into racing, a turn that has seen her become a very successful jockey.
Johanna Wylaars rides Demietta. Copyright Michelle Clarke Photography.
After winning the NZ Warmblood Association Six Year Old Breeding Series in 2024-25, Demietta stepped up like a pro, and her consistency and talent saw her take out the NZPH Seven year Old Breeding series for 2025-26.
Johanna is full of praise for her lovely mare: “She has a great nature, just loves her job and we are having so much fun with her. She is a pretty easy going sort of horse, until it comes time to compete and she can get a bit excited, she knows when it’s game time!”
Johanna and Demietta entered the ring at the Series Final Show as the leaders of the series, and their third placing gave them enough points to be the comfortable winners of the series, finishing on 119 points, ahead of second placed Hannah Roil (Grassendale Xtreme) on 106 points.
“I find the age group series a great benchmark to aim for with the young horses, I’m not worried if they aren’t competing at that height, but it is good to have a goal to aim for with them. So after a good 6 year old season, my goal was to be jumping in some 7 year olds throughout the season, and gauge how she goes, but she stepped up happily and jumped in them all season. I wasn’t chasing the series from the start of the season, and also jumped in a few Young Rider classes with her as well, but near the end of the season I was definitely focused on the 7 Year Old classes”.
Johanna Wylaars and Demietta. . Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
After a couple of months holiday, Johanna and Demietta have already got their season underway as they have made the trip over to Australia to compete as part of the Trans-Tasman Young Rider Team.
“We are currently competing in Australia, and she (Demietta) stepped up to 1.40m last weekend at Waratah, so when we get home Demi will have a quiet couple of weeks, then get back into it. The goal is to continue jumping in Young Riders and 1.40cm classes, and see how the season tracks!”
31 August 2026
The Jumping Team