My mother always said that my first word was horse.
Growing up in rural New Zealand, there were certainly plenty of horses to love. It was a relationship that was written in the stars. I understood their language and they graciously tolerated mine. From my Pony Club days to serious event riding, then finding myself living in Uganda, my passion for horses never wavered.
In 2000, I had the opportunity to learn to be a safari guide in Africa.
My training trip took me all over the continent. I remember very clearly touching one of the wild Namib desert horses. This lovely bay stallion just wandered up out of the desert and stretched his neck out, briefly connecting with my fingertips, before heading off into the dunes.
I’ve been stationed in Uganda since 2004 and built my life here.
I have the wonderful joy of owning Nile Horseback Safaris, living with my husband and daughter, who’ll be 18 soon, born and bred out here. We’re eventing as much as we possibly can. All our serious competitions take place in Kenya – two days’ journey on the lorry – so it’s not easy.
I’ve always said the best eventers are the best safari horses, and the best safari horses make the very best eventers.
Denne historien er fra April 25, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 25, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'The world's toughest steeplechase'
The Pardubice is well known to be formidable. Xander Brett asks some of the British raiders how they rose to the challenge
What's the problem?
Lameness is often the first thought if a sport horse performs below par, but there are plenty of other possible causes. Imogen Johns FRCVS explains
Lewis Robertson-Carrier
The new national dressage champion and his newly-wed wife tell Oscar Williams about the highs, challenges and emotions of their unforgettable week
New technology aims to reduce equine inbreeding
The idea is to give owners of mares and stallions more information when choosing possible pairings
Half of owners cannot identify equine lameness
A study found many owners cannot tell when a horse is lame or sound
Calls for dental checks to be in routine sale vettings
Only a basic mouth check is currently part of the standard pre-purchase examination.
Ensuring everyone feels valued in the horse world
A new action plan and education collaboration are aimed at making the equestrian sector more inclusive
New frangible fence makes its British eventing debut
The trakehner, which is designed to collapse forwards and down under impact, will be in use at Osberton this week
Vet corporatisation: how it has changed the horse world
Vets from both types of practices discussed whether or not they and the industry have benefited
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
