“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Ralph Waldo Emmerson
My Story in Horses
The Early Years
I grew up on cattle properties west of Mundubbera, Qld, AUS. The family run and owned business eventually covered 3 holdings approximating 18000 acres all together. Horses and cattle were 'life'. We had our own stockhorse stallion and bred all our own work horses; one of Dad's foundational mares was a brumby he caught and broke in when he settled the block.
As a smaller child I probably spent as much or more time with dogs, cattle, horses and nature than people. Without knowing it at the time this childhood established much of my foundational knowledge of animal behaviour. I got to experience what cattle and horses are like in a 'semi/non domestic' world.
I was also riding before I could walk - really. I don't remember 'learning' to ride - I simply always could. My earliest memory is of cantering on my pony 'Minnie' - SHE was cantering US back to the yards... lols...
Photos: "The horses of my childhood": Pinto, Fancy (Chestnut & Dam of Bonnie and Trigger), Minnie (Grey), Sooty (Black Pony), Bonnie (Tall Bay) & Blizzard (Black, Bonnies paternal brother). The mare and foal is Fancy and a baby Trigger. Bonnie and Blizzard were my first two serious competition horses. Plus myself and some of my Mum's stud bulls.
High School
I went to Fairholme College, Toowoomba, QLD as a border.
Due to my Dad's love of show jumping I was jumping my parents stock horses at the local shows during primary school; high school expanded my show jumping skills into dressage and little bit of eventing.
I didn't have the privilege of keeping horses in Toowoomba (my parents prioritised my education which turning out to be a good thing later in life - haha!). However they did drive them to interschool competitions for me on the holidays.
Interschool then was in it's infancy (1998 to 2002) and was serious competition. Juniors jumped 'D' grade level and rode Novice dressage, Seniors jumped 'C' grade level and rode Elementary dressage.
In Senior I was Individual Reserve Champion Senior Combined Training Rider on 'Trigger' - the little foal in the previous pics.
The other horse in the pictures is 'Bonnie'.
I also completed my Pony Club Instructor Certificate during this time and starting coaching around the North Burnette area's.
Apprentice Years
After high school I completed a Certificate of Equine Sports therapy and broke in a horse called 'Castellano Damascus' (an Andalusian x TB we purchased as a 2 year old) while I applied to attend Marcus Oldham College, VIC, in 2004.
I was fortunate enough to win the Equestrian Scholarship and took 'Demi' with me to college.
While at college I spent a month in New Zealand at the Windsor Park Stud (breeders of 'Might and Power') foaling unit and competed in show jumping and eventing as much as I could.
After the 12 months of college I spent 6 months as a working pupil for Chris Chugg of Diamond B Farm, NSW, (international show jumping yard) and then went on to be head groom for Falcon Sport Horses, NSW, (international Eventing/Show jumping yard) for 18 months.
Photos are of 'Demi' - he ended up being the first horse I trained to Medium Level under the guidance of John and Pip (Falcon Sport Horses).
I also completed my EA NCAS Level 1 General Coaching qualification while in NSW.
Swing Time performance horses
2007 - 2015
After 3 years away from home I was ready to pursue my own enterprise and founded 'Swing Time Performance Horses'.
The stud stood 2 stallions (pictured):
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Jaybee Calibre ~ Black Hanoverian (Carbine IMP x Archimedes IMP)
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Swing Time My Cosmo ~ Bay Holsteiner (Lander IMP x Monopol IMP)
...and had a mixed band of WB and stockhorse mares.
Breeding approximately 6 foals a year I focused on taking foals through to young competition horses before offering them for sale. I did all the starting and foundation training myself as well as coaching and doing outside horse training for clients.
I really deepened my skill set and practice during these years, riding too many horses to mention, mostly under the mentorship and coaching of the Schmerglatte family, David Finch and Kevin McNab. Their guidance over the years shaped me into a seasoned rider, trainer and competitor. I am deeply grateful for their impacts on my riding life.
Equitation Science & Germany
Prior to having a very auspicious conversation with a horsy friend, 'Dr Andrew Mclean', was not on my radar. However I was trying to prove a point (lol) and realised I had zero factual information to back up my ideas - only the personal opinions of multiple 'Dressage Masters'.
This led me to complete my Diploma in Equitation Science in 2015-2016. That knowledge and time spent with Andrew exponentially upskilled me as a horse trainer.
During this time family circumstances resulted in my loosing the use of my training facility and subsequently needing to close the stud.
Silver lining: it allowed me the freedom to sell everything and go to Germany for 18 months.
I worked as a stable rider at Stall De Boer, Hamburg and then as head rider/stable manger at Hof Schrinesee, Keil.
During this time I was privileged to ride many, many, L to S (Elementary to FEI) level horses and was able to refine and advance my riding practice through the lens of Equitation Science.
The big shift
On return to Australia I tired to re-establish my horse training business however without a permanent home or facility set up for breaking & training it was very difficult to establish momentum.
Additionally after experiencing the industry in Europe I could see the significant personal and professional limitations of a solo equestrian career in Australia.
Although I was riding and training better than ever I decided establishing a more sustainable career away from the equestrian industry was a healthy decision.
Equitation Science had exposed me to Psychological Science. With my established background in coaching becoming a psychologist didn't feel like such a big leap: I had always enjoyed coaching and helping people achieve with their horses.
In 2019 I enrolled in my first psychology courses through USQ and subsequently transitioned to a dule degree of Psychology and Counselling through USC.
And Now - 2023 and beyond!
I have completed my Bach of Counselling and am finishing my 3rd year Bach of Psychology subjects part time while I spend time with my daughter and work when I can!
The big shift was difficult but very necessary. Personally and professionally I am much happier and healthier now than I ever have been. With no regrets about the path that led me to this place in time.
Whilst at uni I have enjoyed focusing on my coaching practice and enjoyed obstacle racing.
I plan to re-enter the competitive riding scene on a part time basis once my university study is completed in 2024.
