About Me

A lifelong passion for horses, a journey into horsemanship

Horses have been a part of my life since I was ten years old. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a lifelong journey of learning, understanding and developing a deeper connection with horses. Today, through Total Horsemanship, I'm able to share that passion with others, helping horse owners discover new ways of communicating with their horses and developing their horsemanship.

But my journey hasn't been a straight line. It has taken me through the traditional equestrian world, a change of career, an unexpected introduction to Natural Horsemanship, and a decision that would change my life completely.

Where it all began

I started riding at the age of ten and spent as much of my spare time as possible at the local riding school. Horses were never just a hobby to me; they were what I wanted to spend my life doing.

When I left school, I trained for my BHSAI and went on to work with showjumpers, hunters and eventers for several years. Owning my own horse, however, wasn't financially possible at the time, so I made the most of every opportunity to ride, picking up rides and exercising horses whenever I could.

By my mid-twenties, I realised that, if I continued working in the equestrian industry, I was unlikely ever to be able to afford a horse of my own. Reluctantly, I stepped away from horses professionally and took on a few more conventional jobs.

Horses, though, have a way of finding their way back into your life.

The horse who changed everything

In 2000, I returned to riding and began teaching in my spare time at Wimbledon Village Stables in South London. It was there that I found my first horse — or perhaps she found me.

She was a lovely cob, but nervous and flighty. I adored her from the moment I first set eyes on her. After years of riding other people's horses, finally having one of my own was incredibly special.

I had about a year of enjoying riding her and looking after her before I developed problems with my hips and became unable to ride. Not knowing how long I might be out of the saddle, I decided I needed to keep her reasonably fit, just in case I was able to ride again sooner than expected.

So, I started lunging her.

It didn't take long for that to become rather boring! I wanted to do more with her, and it was this search for something different that led me to Natural Horsemanship — specifically, Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

I bought the Level 1 pack, followed by Levels 2 and 3, attended clinics and immersed myself in studying and practising everything I could. What began as a way to keep my horse active while I couldn't ride soon became something much bigger.

I was discovering a completely different way of looking at horses, their behaviour and the relationship between horse and human. I was hooked.

Following my passion

At the time, David Stuart was the person I most admired in the horsemanship world. When he left Parelli Natural Horsemanship, I followed his journey to Equine Ethology in North Wales.

I attended a three-week intensive course, closely followed by a ten-week intensive course. By this point, I was completely dedicated to learning as much as I possibly could. Horsemanship had become far more than an interest; it was what I wanted to devote my life to.

Eventually, I made a decision that many people might have thought was a little mad. I left my secure, well-paid job in London and moved to North Wales to pursue my passion.

Life then took another turn. Equine Ethology came to an end, and David, being Australian, needed a sponsor to enable him to apply for a UK visa. Around this time, I met the man who would become my husband, and I moved to Shropshire.

From there, a new chapter began.

Building Total Horsemanship

In 2007, I began organising horsemanship clinics around the UK for David, travelling with him and helping to bring his work to a wider audience. We also organised horse starting and training at Dudgeley Farm in Shropshire, where David spent around six months of each year.

As I attended clinics and met more people on their own horsemanship journeys, I was frequently asked where they could buy the equipment we were using. David suggested that I start stocking some of it and selling it at clinics.

That was the beginning of what would grow into the equipment side of Total Horsemanship.

What started as a practical way to help people find the right equipment gradually developed into something much bigger. I wanted to offer people access to quality horsemanship equipment, alongside the knowledge and understanding to help them make the most of it.

Over the years, my work has also given me the opportunity to host other respected horsemen in the UK. Among David's mentors are Mike Bridges and Buck Brannaman, both of whom I have hosted here to conduct horsemanship clinics in recent years.

It has been a privilege to be involved in bringing these opportunities to the UK and to see the enthusiasm, dedication and progress of the people who attend.

What horsemanship means to me

For me, horsemanship is about much more than learning a set of techniques or completing a series of exercises. It's about developing an understanding of the horse in front of you.

Every horse is an individual. They have their own personalities, sensitivities, experiences and ways of responding to the world. The more we learn to recognise and understand these differences, the better equipped we are to communicate clearly and thoughtfully.

I believe good horsemanship is built on patience, awareness, consistency and a willingness to keep learning. It's about developing trust, improving our timing and feel, and recognising that we, as horse owners and riders, have just as much to learn as our horses do.

Whether you're just starting out, looking to improve your practical skills, working through a particular challenge or wanting to deepen your understanding of your horse, there's always something new to discover.

My own journey has taught me that progress doesn't always happen in the saddle. Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come when we take a step back, look at things differently and become more curious about what our horses are telling us.

That philosophy is at the heart of Total Horsemanship.

Life today

I now live in the Scottish Borders with my husband, my two horses, Prada and Layla, three dogs and a rather large collection of sheep!

Horses remain a central part of my life, and I'm still as passionate about horsemanship as I was when I first discovered it all those years ago. I continue to organise clinics and provide equipment for people who share that passion, helping to make the knowledge, tools and opportunities that have shaped my own journey accessible to others.

I certainly didn't set out with a grand plan to build a business around horsemanship. It evolved naturally from a love of horses, a determination to keep learning and a desire to help others along the way.

Looking back, it was that nervous, flighty cob who set me on a path I could never have anticipated. I'm incredibly grateful that she did.

Welcome to Total Horsemanship

Whether you're new to horsemanship or have been studying it for years, I'm delighted you've found your way here.

I hope Total Horsemanship can be a useful part of your own journey, whether you're looking for equipment, inspiration, opportunities to learn or simply a better understanding of your horse.

There's always more to learn, and that's one of the things I love most about this journey.