Silversand Horsemanship

I felt very privileged to be asked to join the Silversand Associates Team.

My involvement with horses started at about age 15 when I purchased my first horse, Ben. I progressed though the Pony Club ranks with him and a few other horses that came along. Once leaving Pony Club I joined a couple of Adult Riding Clubs that were affiliated with Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria. I competed with my horses in dressage, eventing and show jumping and enjoyed doing so.

WhenI moved to South Australia I became disheartened with my riding as there was not the same degree of Adult Riding Clubs here. I felt totally lost. I joined the local dressage club but didn’t really enjoy it that much because I eventually came to the conclusion that I was trying to ‘make’ my horse do something that neither of us was enjoying.

A short time after that some friends invited me to see a Pat Parelli demonstration of Natural Horsemanship at one of the local indoor arenas. Back then he was not as well known and was traveling around Australia with his Level 3 students to ‘spread the word’. I was totally mesmerized to say the least but the skeptic in me was hovering. There must be some trick or a catch but in my heart I knew this was where I needed to go, for my horse’s sake. I eventually started lessons with Steve and Irena and the hard work really began, physically but more importantly for me, emotionally.

Nine years and 3 horses later the journey still continues. I currently have 2 beautiful Appaloosas (I’m not biased at all!) and am proud of the fact that I have over come some huge hurdles with my older horse, Sunny and the younger one Dale, well he just keeps me wanting to learn more and more. I’m not necessarily interested in competing any more but what is important to me is that I can take my horses anywhere I want to and know that they are emotionally ready to accept what I ask of them.