Meraki Equestrian

19/02/2024

Was a beautiful weekend between the rain to be taking a trail ride. Very lucky how perfect the ground keeps on this trail here!

Offering 1 hour and 90min trail rides, reach out for more info!

29/04/2023

Introducing Alaska ❄️
This gorgeous little girl has come to the property for general handling and ground work. She has had a rough time before ending up in the caring hands of her current owner and is learning to connect with people and to trust. She’s been very weary but by remaining patient and keeping my energy calm with her she too, picks up on my energy and can learn to work through her past traumas. I feel a little bit like a horse psychologist here! But am loving every minute of it and to watch her language and communicate with her each time I work with her and interact is so rewarding because I can see how much trauma she carries but is still actually WANTING to connect with me, which is inspiring. I can’t wait to watch this little girl blossom 🌸

18/04/2023

I had the pleasure of having this little fella on the property the last month for breaking in. Butter had been running in a herd for a number of years until recently when his owner was able to bring him home 😊

We began the journey with plenty of ground work, establishing a relationship, free lunging and hand walking along some quiet roads to gain exposure and confidence. Furthering the training by doing some weight distributing, mouthing and just getting more used to having a bridle and saddle on. Lots of chewing with that bit to begin with as he wasn’t used to that feeling!

Butter will tell me what he is comfortable with and I have to be able to judge when I can push him out of his comfort zone a little bit and when the session should wrap up and to keep it as positive as I can. It’s not about the length of time spent with the horse, it’s about how you spend it!

I’ve managed to put little snippets of the journey with Butter into a small video to give an idea of the steps we took and how he responded to some of the exercises we went through.

Send a message to learn more

22/03/2023

One of the best things about coaching and working with different horses and owners is how rewarding it can be.

A great example is the partnership in the photo. When Briana Rose first picked up Dexter he had been out of work for quite some time and we did not have much information about his background so it was a bit of a surprise as to what kind of horse we were working with. With time spent starting from scratch with gaining a mutual respect and trust, Dexter has proven to be the best all rounder and assisted Brianas confidence building and experience as a new rider and also been so careful and patient with her young nieces.

Being an off the track Thoroughbred he has a naturally forward moving nature and sensitive off the leg which has really taught his riders how to apply half halts and how to connect and engage with there horse through the way we ride and interact on the ground.
Our energy, our body language and position while riding, all influence the sort of conversations we’re having with our horse and it’s part of my job as a coach and mentor to assist that horse and rider team to communicate as clear and calmly as possible in that unspoken way in order to develop a partnership.

28/02/2023

So grateful that I get to do what I love every day, and for the experiences and opportunities it’s given me.

Like they say “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”.

For myself and all my students and horses I work with- just keeping the sessions fresh and engaging goes a long way 💯 Ultimately and most importantly I just want my horse to enjoy his work and my clients and horses to enjoy what they’re doing and the rest follows.

Available for private and group lessons, re-educating/schooling, starting/breaking in, clinics, ground work and float training. Pm or text for enquiries ⭐️🐴

16/02/2023

The first sort of work I do with any new horse is all on the ground!
This is to establish a relationship, boundary and understanding of one another. Respect and confidence grows and without this step of training it’s like missing a big piece of the puzzle.

The horses demeanour changes entirely and you can start to build up positively.

This video is from one of Wiley’s first sessions where I spent time with him in hand before even asking for any ridden work. I commenced with a free lunge, opening up my body language and energy to ask for forward and bringing it back down to come back to a walk or halt.

Once he began engaging with me his attention turns towards me and comes in to the centre to join me.

I walk forward and he does. I stop, and so does he. I turn to the right, and so does he.

12/02/2023

Had a lovely first outing of the year last weekend at Elysian Fields training day. It was humid but the little bit of rain made it much cooler for all. Popped Romeo over the 90cm and 1m rounds and he flew through both clear with ease and most importantly, he loved it.

I had the pleasure of bringing along in the float the lovely Natasha and Indie to their very first show jumping day and assisting and providing guidance in the warm up and throughout both rounds and watching their confidence grow over each round was very rewarding. Am very glad to be apart of their journey ⭐️

I often ride client horses and project horses out at a variety of different outings ranging from simply trail riding and beach rides to Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping days and Cross country schooling in order to provide confidence building, experience and education to which ever discipline that horse and rider team are aiming for.

11/02/2023

Have had the pleasure in being apart or “Dingos” journey into becoming a riding horse. We aren’t sure on this four year old geldings breed but am thinking possibly station-bred.

🍃 Upon our first training session we had found this fella hadn’t been mouthed or had possibly any work with a bridle before so there was a lot of chewing and thinking about what the bit was. I must say that he has so far made my job quite straight forward. A very sensible young guy at only four years old. Not fazed by a whole lot going on and to new things that pop up along the way.

🍃 I managed to squeeze only a minute of my session on a video to give an insight on a session with Dingo. I know when he is beginning to feel overwhelmed and is telling me he’s had enough for the day. This is important as I don’t want to bombard him with too much at once and it’s all about doing just enough to keep it positive and engaging.

🍃 He had not done any lunge work and struggled to understand what I was after at first so even trotting on the lunge is a great step forward. This is also about his third or fourth ride under saddle so will notice moments where he stops and needs a moment to think. When I ask again, he might back up in confusion as there’s a lot going on at once for him but his response is always giving it a good go and moves off my leg. I take it step by step and give him the time and space he needs to comprehend what I’m asking.

I have used:

⭐️ Ground work: (lunge work beginning in the walk and trot on a smaller circle, backing up to engage the core, laterals moving off slight pressure to my hand, reinforcing space and a “non pushy” relationship as he did not originally understand personal space and boundaries).

⭐️ Ridden work:
Soft breaks/stopping, flexion and bend while also maintaining a walk, inside and outside leg cues, seat and voice aids and very small trots including accustoming him to a rise trot and the rider being slightly off his back. I include desensitising on the ground and under saddle so he becomes comfortable with movement and noise all around his space.

19/01/2023

Always a pleasure to work this horse! Owned by the lovely Lara Alexander, Lucha is an OTTB with a heart of gold. Spent the morning working three different TB’s, one of which was this lovely gelding. Working on developing a soft contact to the bit and moving off my leg on the flat and then moving into some small jump grids which he loves! My job is to slowly build up his confidence, working on his adjustability and approach, and helping him learn what to do with his feet. I am quite happy for him to make mistakes and be hestitant because I’m here to push him through the uncertainty and take him by the hand and guide him through it positively to create a bold and confident little fella ☺️

02/01/2023

Very happy with how this fella has taken to everything in his weekly sessions so far ☺️ Wylie had been out of work for approximately the last 12 months and has needed some time to a custom to connecting with new people, focusing his attention on his rider and generally gaining back that fitness and balance throughout his body.

I have mixed his training sessions up between some join up to work on connecting him to his humans and gaining some more trust in me, exposure work to new and “scary” things and basic flat work and jumping which I have been super impressed with, it’s clear this this boy has had some education put into him that is just a bit rusty at the moment.

He is currently waiting to find his perfect rider to lease him on property 🎉

24/12/2022

Always a pleasure to be able to have a jump at the stunning Elysian Fields facilities 🌟

Wanted to say a big thank you to everyone this year for being a part of my journey venturing through the comp season and for allowing me to be a part of yours.
I love being able to help all of my riders and horses work through anything we come across and be part of your support network to guide and mentor each individual horse and rider team through both the good and the not so good days!

Have a lovely Christmas 🎄

05/12/2022

Nice little throw back to Romeo’s first Eva 95 Cross country start earlier this year. Such a proud moment getting to the finish line and knowing he’s put absolutely everything into his work for me, while enjoying his job and going clear. Such a rewarding experience 💛

Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross country lessons available over the summer holidays for riders of all ages and abilities. Pm for questions and enquiries!

20/11/2022

Three weeks into his training after very limited work over the last 12 months. Blinky has been needing plenty of time to build up his strength through his top line and poll to be able to soft to the bit and flex through the poll to give me that inside rein.

It’s very common for a horse out of work to “bob” and “toss” the head at the contact and even over correct himself and hold his head under their vertical, until they’ve strengthen up again and be able to hold themselves correctly. My job is to help correct these little things and help guide my horses in the ride direction patiently. It all takes time! ☺️

09/11/2022

The lovely Blinky 🐨 is here to spend a few weeks coming back into work and building up his fitness again! It has been a while since he has been in regular work so is having to work hard to put everything I ask all together. It all takes time to build up that suppleness, strength and balance once again.

05/10/2022

The stunning Indie owned by one of my wonderful clients had one of his first outings last week in amongst the wet weather.

It wasn’t just about the riding session, but the loading and transport process, waiting in a yard around plenty of others horses and the comings and going around him. Having had a few weeks off, he proved very reliable and honest to the work I did with him. Hopefully we will see this young one out on the show jumping/eventing circuit in the near future!

23/09/2022

The rain didn’t stop us from getting a nice jump session in! This arena holds up remarkably and so lucky to have access to it so readily Tamborine Equestrian Group - TEG

Horse Training and Equine Services

31/08/2022

Part of my training plan for any horse I work with, whether it be a project, fresh breaker or one that just needs to be brought back into work is to take them out and about! Trails are an excellent method to gain exposure and fitness while they’re enjoying themselves. It keeps the training interesting and fun for both horse and rider while maintaining beneficial! ☀️

Maggie here has been back in work now for about four weeks, after many months off. She definitely enjoys getting out and is benefiting from the miles and all the different sights and sounds!

21/08/2022

Was a lovely weekend at Toowoomba Jump Club competing in the Eva 95cm with Romeo. Unfortunately with our one big day of rain, the grounds became too wet for the Cross Country phase of the weekend and it became a combined training. We were lucky enough to take a course walk with Brett Cantle, going through different approaches to jumps and handling different horses. Looking forward to schooling and competing on the brand new course that’s been done ✅ Photos attached!

17/08/2022

Today was Maggie’s first outing in a very long time🌟 exposing her to new sights and sounds, coloured poles and other horses. It was her first go at jumping in an arena, and naturally was a little tense to start but gave everything a good go. Was purely about exposure, balance exercises using poles, with some small combinations and flat work.

15/08/2022

Maggie has arrived at the property for some re-education and miles. She has been out of consistent work for a little while and has a new owner who cannot wait for her to be ready to come home to her 🎉 Plenty of desensitisation, pole work to strengthen and balance, flat work, ground work and trail riding to gain exposure.

31/07/2022

It’s easy to forget that this little mare is only 5yo! Very sensible and relaxed which always makes the job easier. Willow has been learning how to maintain a soft and consistent contact and will slowly build up to this with more muscle over the top line. Very happy with her work so far 🌟

Training, breaking in, re-education and coaching services available 🐴

25/07/2022

One of the best things about my job is being able to work with so many different horses and owners. One of my favourites horses to work has to be this big kid! Been out of work for a little bit and coming back under saddle in time for the next Show jumping day at Waterford Equestrian and Pony Club 🌟

20/07/2022

Today Willow arrived to the property to spend some time with me here fine tuning a few things ☀️ Willows young rider is a keen jumper so we will be working on a mix of flat work (plenty of canter and transitions) and building her confidence with jumping, and taking her out for exposure. I look forward to working with her over the coming weeks!

15/07/2022

Very grateful to have been out and about again last weekend at Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club. It was Romeo’s third Eva 95cm start and as always, gave it 110%. Thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors over the weekend who helped make the event happen!

03/07/2022

☁️Life goes so fast sometimes we forget to acknowledge and appreciate how far we’ve come ☁️

I find personally I’m always striving for my next goals and accomplishments, that I forget to stop and look back on just how far myself and Romeo have come over the last three years.

Their were times I did not think he would make a jumper eventer at all, and moments I wanted to give up with that dream with him. Something inside me didn’t allow that, and I’m so glad I didn’t. He has shown to be the kindest, safest horse with a heart of gold. I tell him every day he’ll never go anywhere and I owe that to him- happiness and a stress free life for the rest of his days! He defies what his breed is made to do and enjoys his job and for this I couldn’t be happier.

So I challenge you to stop, look back on what you’ve achieved no matter how big or small, acknowledge this and celebrate your journey ❤️

Horse Training and Equine Services

29/06/2022

30/05/2022

This lovely boy has come to join me this week! With all of this wet weather, Mac has been out of work for a while and is very happy to be back on the job! A few rides this week to get his brain focused back on his work and get the ”beans” out 🌻

09/05/2022

Was a nice morning over the weekend working with this young gelding for the lovely Caro Ingram ⭐️ very special up and coming boy and it is a pleasure to be able to work with you both!
An exciting future for you two 🐴