Ride in Harmony. Rise Together.
Where horse biomechanics meets true horsemanship — and riders grow stronger, calmer, and more connected.
Training for horse and rider that builds balance, trust, and lasting results

At Ride & Rise Horsemanship, we bring together horse biomechanics and true horsemanship to help you and your horse move, feel, and perform at your best. Our training focuses on building a strong, supple, and balanced horse — and a rider who is equally in tune, thanks to our yoga-inspired fitness for riders. Whether you’re looking to deepen your partnership, improve performance, or simply enjoy more harmonious rides, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

My Services
Online programs coming soon!

Australia greatest horsewoman 2024

Horse Training Services At Ride & Rise Horsemanship.

We work with horses at every stage — from their very first rides to fine-tuning performance for the show pen or trail. Our training blends biomechanics and true horsemanship, ensuring your horse develops balance, softness, and confidence for a lifetime of soundness and success.

We specialise in:

Horse Starting – Giving young horses the best possible foundation for a calm, confident future.
Rehabilitation Training – Helping horses return to work after injury, tension, or poor past experiences.
Performance Training – Developing and refining skills for western disciplines such as cutting, ranch trail, and obstacle challenges.

We work with a long-term partnership mindset, meaning our goal isn’t just to “fix” a horse, but to set both horse and rider up for lasting progress and harmony.

(Coming soon — online training options to support your journey wherever you are.)

Yoga-Inspired Rider Fitness

Move with purpose. Ride with harmony.

Your horse feels everything — from the way you breathe to the way you balance in the saddle. That’s why your body is just as much a part of your training as your horse’s.

My yoga-inspired rider fitness classes are designed to help you:

Build functional strength for a stable, supportive seat.
Improve mobility so you can follow your horse’s movement without restriction.
Enhance balance and coordination for clearer, softer aids.
Develop body awareness to ride with more feel, timing, and connection.

These aren’t “just workouts” — they’re carefully tailored sessions blending yoga principles, rider biomechanics, and functional movement. Every exercise is chosen with the rider in mind, so you strengthen exactly what matters in the saddle and release what gets in your way.

Whether you’re preparing for competition, wanting to ride with more ease, or simply aiming to feel better in your body, these online classes meet you where you are and help you rise to your next level.

Your horse works hard for you — give them the gift of a rider who moves with grace, stability, and awareness.

Join the ride. Begin your yoga-inspired rider fitness journey today.

Join our online Training

Obstacle Training & Trail Riding

Confidence starts before you hit the trail.

Trail riding should be a time to relax and enjoy your horse — not worry about what might go wrong. Obstacle training is where we prepare both horse and rider for the unexpected: rustling bushes, moving water, narrow bridges, sudden noises.

By introducing challenges in a safe, controlled environment, we:

Build your horse’s confidence and curiosity.
Teach you how to communicate clearly under pressure.
Strengthen the trust and partnership that make riding out enjoyable.

Preparation isn’t about eliminating every surprise — it’s about giving you and your horse the skills to handle whatever the trail brings, together.

Train for it now, so you can enjoy it later.

Hemp Oil for Horses

Natural support for a happier, healthier horse.

Your horse’s wellbeing starts from the inside out. Hemp oil is a natural, nutrient-rich supplement that supports joint health, a shiny coat, balanced digestion, and a calmer, more focused mind.

Packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and plant-based goodness,

hemp oil can help:

Reduce inflammation to support joints and muscles.
Promote a glossy coat and healthy skin.
Aid digestion for better nutrient absorption.
Encourage a calm mindset for training, travel, and competition.

Whether your horse is a seasoned competitor or a beloved paddock companion, adding hemp oil to their diet can be an easy step toward improved comfort, vitality, and overall health.

🌿 Exclusive offer: Use my discount code JADE5 at checkout to save on your orders.

Give your horse the natural boost they deserve — and see the difference for yourself.

Order now and feel good about what you’re feeding your horse.

The Hemp Shack - Discount !!!!

A huge credit to Louise for giving Ally the time he needed to be ready for ridden work — building his strength, balance, and understanding step by step. 🐎✨

This journey is about more than training the horse — it’s about investing in your own learning, feel, and awareness too. Growth for both horse and human is where progress begins.

#horsemanship #growthmindset

The Dynamic Drive exercise is all about finding true softness through movement.

We start by asking the inside hind leg to step under and across, engaging the hindquarters and lifting the core. Then, we push the inside shoulder forward, creating a longer, freer stride.

That combination — hind stepping under, shoulder releasing forward — allows the horse to soften through their body, lengthen their frame, and find balance through correct muscle use rather than resistance.

💡 Biomechanical Benefits:

Builds hindquarter engagement and core strength

Frees the shoulder for better forward flow

Encourages softness through correct posture

Connects the horse’s movement from hind to front

Softness doesn’t come from holding —
it comes from energy flowing freely through the body.

The Dynamic Drive helps your horse discover that connection — balanced, forward, and soft.

#TheDynamicDrive #HorseBiomechanics #Softness #Horsemanship #BalancedMovement #EquinePosture #ConnectionInMotion

Every day is an opportunity to become a better version of yourself — not by chasing perfection, but through persistence.

Horsemanship is built in the moments no one sees — the quiet tries, the patience when it’s hard, the choice to show up even when it’s not going to plan.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s shaped through consistency, feel, and the willingness to keep showing up for your horse and yourself.

Stay patient. Stay persistent. Keep refining — one ride, one moment, one try at a time.

#horsemanship #persistence #growthmindset #trainwithfeel #partnershipnotperfection #horsemanshipjourney

Ally’s Journey 🐴💪

When Ally was rescued, he came with a hind leg injury and kissing spine. We’ve slowly been rebuilding his strength, balance, and confidence — it’s been a long road with lots of small wins along the way.

Only a few weeks ago, he recovered from choke, and now we’re back to gently building again. This was only my second ride on Ally — our first a few months ago was full of bunny hops trying to trot off.

Today, he walked and trotted calmly, no bunny hops at the end, just soft, steady progress. 🙌

It’s a great reminder that developing real muscle and balance takes months, not weeks. It’s not just about fitness; it’s about retraining the body to move correctly, use the core, lift through the back, and build the stabilising muscles that support soundness.
Once those muscles are properly developed, a horse can hold that strength much longer.

The journey continues with Ally, building strength and balance under saddle every ride. 💫

4 Poles – 4 Exercises ✨️

Set up 4 poles in a zigzag — simple, but powerful.
This setup invites your horse to think, balance, and coordinate their whole body through different lines of movement.

🐎 1️⃣ Trot through the centre line:
Find rhythm, lift, and alignment. Notice how the thoracic sling activates as the shoulders lift and the ribcage swings evenly side to side.

⚙️ 2️⃣ Canter through the outer lines:
Encourages straightness and self-carriage. You’ll feel the horse stabilise through the core and carry more weight from behind.

🔄 3️⃣ Back through the zigzag:
This challenges the hind end and mind. Each step back and across builds awareness through the hips and strengthens engagement through the lumbosacral joint.

➡️ 4️⃣ Side pass → back through → side pass:
The ultimate coordination test. It connects lateral flexion with longitudinal balance — teaching the horse to stay soft, centred, and responsive through your body cues.

💫 Biomechanics focus:
This pattern develops the horse’s postural balance — lifting through the base of the neck, rounding through the core, and staying light on the forehand.
It’s not just about completing the pattern — it’s about how the horse moves through it.

When we train, we often think the goal is to get to the mind first — but it starts through the body.
When we guide the horse into correct posture, balance, and alignment, the nervous system begins to regulate, tension releases, and the mind naturally follows the body.

Each cue shapes how the horse carries themselves — where they hold energy, where they release, how they find flow.
When the horse’s body begins to move in a way that supports self-carriage, relaxation and focus become the natural by-products.

Correct biomechanics isn’t just about movement — it’s communication.
Train the body to find balance, and the mind will come with it.
That’s where softness, trust, and feel truly begin. 🌿

#BiomechanicsBasedTraining #HorseTraining #RideWithFeel #ConsciousHorsemanship #MindAndBodyConnection #EquineBalance #TrainTheBodyFreeTheMind #BuildingBetterHorses #EquineBiomechanics

When we ask for a counter bend, we’re encouraging the horse to soften through the ribcage, engage the inside hind, and find better alignment between the shoulders and hips.
⠀
Biomechanically, this exercise builds lateral suppleness, improves straightness, and helps the horse carry itself evenly on both sides — instead of leaning or falling through a shoulder.
⠀
It’s not about the head or neck — it’s about how the body organizes underneath.
⠀
Start slow. Feel for the balance shift. Then build the strength.
⠀
#BiomechanicsInMotion #HorseTrainingWithFeel #WesternDressage #BodyControl #SoftnessAndBalance #MindToFeetConnection #TrainForLongevity

What it develops:

Core & thoracic sling activation: The horse lifts through the base of the neck and shoulders to clear the poles, improving posture and front-end strength.

Hind-end engagement: The rhythm and lift over poles encourage flexion in the hocks and stifles, helping drive from behind.

◦ Lateral suppleness: The leg yield adds sideways reach and softness through the ribcage, balancing the body left to right.

Coordination & focus: Changing direction and line between poles keeps the horse thinking, connected, and tuned into your aids.

Biomechanically, this exercise helps your horse learn to shift weight, lift through the core, and stay soft through movement.

Keep it slow at first - rhythm and relaxation come before height or speed.

#BiomechanicsInMotion #PoleWork #HorseTrainingWithPurpose #RideWithFeel #EquineAthlete #LegYield #HorseBiomechanics #TrainSmartRideSoft

This exercise builds balance from the inside out.
As the horse walks straddling the pole, the body learns to stabilise, coordinate, and align with every step.
It’s quiet work that improves proprioception and softens bracing patterns.
Sometimes the best training comes from slowing down and listening to how the body moves.

#mindfulhorsemanship #biomechanics #horseposture #equineawareness #softnessandstrength

It starts with the feet — getting them to follow direction with balance and purpose.
When the feet are connected, the mind follows.
That’s how understanding is built — one step at a time. 💫

#HorsemanshipJourney #ConnectionOverControl
#SoftnessAndFeel #MindfulHorsemanship
#BuildingPartnership #HorseTrainingWithPurpose
#RideWithFeel #BalancedHorsemanship
#TrueConnection #ThroughTheFeetToTheMind

Couldn’t be prouder of Zoe today — 2 firsts and 2 seconds in the ranch classes! 🎉

Her consistency, effort and attitude make coaching her a real joy 👏🐎
@zoe_rathbone_equestrian

#horsemanship #horsecoach #foundationtraining #balancedrider #biomechanicshorsemanship #connectionovercontrol #buildingbetterhorses #feelandtiming #ridersmindset #mindfulhorsemanship #softnessandstrength

Training horses — and life — are both about showing up, staying steady, and appreciating every step of the journey. The small wins build the big results.

#horsemanship #mindsetmatters #growthinmotion

This memory popped up and made me laugh — my horses are so used to all my random antics 😂 she was a good mare!

No matter the discipline — trail riding, competition, or working on the farm — every good horse starts with the same thing: a solid foundation.
Understanding biomechanics and building correct strength from the ground up sets our horses up for success.

They’re athletes, and it’s our job to prepare their bodies and minds for the work ahead 🐎💪

Fascia is more than just “tissue” — it’s a continuous web that supports, connects, and communicates between every muscle, bone, and organ in your horse’s body.

When fascia becomes tight or restricted, it changes how the body moves — muscles can’t contract and lengthen evenly, posture compensates, and true strength can’t build. Over time, this affects biomechanics, balance, and even behaviour under saddle.

That’s why myofascial health and correct muscle development go hand in hand.
When we train with awareness of posture, straightness, and softness, we’re not just building muscle — we’re teaching the fascia to stay supple and responsive.
This is how we create true strength, balance, and longevity in our horses.

✨ Coming soon: The Myofascial Series ✨
I’ll be breaking down how fascia influences movement, how to spot restriction, and how correct biomechanics and feel-based training can keep your horse’s body working in harmony.

#HorseTraining #MyofascialRelease #EquineBiomechanics #FunctionalStrength #Horsemanship #FasciaAndMovement #EquinePerformance #SoftnessAndBalance #ConnectionThroughFeel

✨ It’s been a great weekend — full of learning, growth, and connection. Feeling grateful for the opportunity to keep expanding my knowledge and to share a little of my own along the way. 🧡🐴

@cowgirlsgathering

#cowgirlsgathering 🌞

@revivecreationsaus

For Sale – Stunning Black/Brown Gelding 🌟

Introducing Beau, an 8-year-old QHxSH gelding who is as smart as he is striking. With his beautiful black/brown colouring, kind eye, and trainable nature, he is the type of horse that will catch your attention and hold it.

Beau has a solid foundation with previous competition experience. He is soft and responsive to the aids, and has been a genuine delight to bring back into work. While he hasn’t done much over the past few years (through no fault of his own), he has slotted back into a program with ease and is showing just how much talent and willingness he has to offer.

He floats and travels well, ties up without fuss, and stands quietly to be shod. Under saddle, Beau is forward but sensible, and he enjoys having a job. With consistency and a rider who can continue to build his strength, Beau is ready to step up into his next chapter.

This lovely gelding would excel in Western dressage or ranch trail.

If you’re looking for a smart, talented, and eye-catching gelding with so much potential ahead of him, Beau could be the one.

Sire - binnia impressive destiny
Dam- mcaldoo eve
Price- 16k
DOB: 20/10/2017
Height 15.3hh

Enquiries- 0466189822

What a perfect way to end the week, this mornings transition of sienna back to her owner 🤗

I worked with sienna for a few months bringing her back into work and creating softness and free forward movement, today her owner had her first ride, learning how to continue building that soft, supple body in sienna and it really couldn't have gone smoother these two are a perfect match 🧡

We worked on patterns, leg yield, canter and trot poles 🥰

#keeplearning #horsetraining ##horsemanship #understanding #HorseBiomechanics

✨ Training isn’t just about teaching horses — it’s about shaping mindset.
Confidence, resilience, and positivity are what turn effort into progress.

When we talk about straightness, it’s not about riding your horse like a ruler line. It’s about aligning the horse’s spine between your aids so energy flows freely from hindquarters to forehand.

🔹 Why Straightness Matters

Prevents uneven loading on joints, muscles, and tendons.

Allows power from the hind end to travel directly forward, building strength and collection.

Reduces risk of injury caused by crooked movement patterns.

Creates better balance, rhythm, and suppleness.

🔹 Biomechanics of Straightness
Every horse has a natural crookedness (a hollow side and a stiff side). If left unaddressed, this shows up as:

Drifting through the shoulders or hindquarters.

Uneven contact in the reins.

Difficulty bending evenly both directions.

🔹 Why This Matters for Cow Horses 🐄
A cow horse needs precision, balance, and quick reactions. Without straightness:

Stops become uneven, loading one leg more than the other.

Rollbacks lose power because the horse isn’t aligned to push evenly from behind.

Tracking a cow becomes harder—if shoulders or hips drift, the horse loses position.

Straightness means cleaner turns, quicker responses, and less wear on the body in demanding work.

🔹 How We Train Straightness

Use lateral work (shoulder-fore, leg yield, shoulder-in) to align shoulders and hips.

Ride curved lines to supple the stiff side and strengthen the hollow side.

Focus on rider balance and even aids—your seat, legs, and hands must give clear, consistent signals.

Reward small moments of alignment – straightness is built step by step.

✨ Straightness isn’t the end goal—it’s the bridge that connects rhythm, relaxation, contact, impulsion, and collection. For the cow horse, it’s the foundation of agility, accuracy, and longevity in the sport.

Functional movement means using the body the way it was designed—where muscles, joints, and posture work together for efficiency, balance, and health.

🐎 For Horses:

Engages the correct muscle chains (hind end to topline).

Reduces strain on joints and ligaments.

Improves balance, coordination, and long-term soundness.

🧍 For Humans:

Builds core stability and mobility for clearer riding aids.

Improves posture and reduces the risk of injury.

Allows better feel, timing, and connection in the saddle.

🧠 For the Mind:
When the body moves efficiently, the nervous system is calmer. Both horse and rider experience:

Less stress and tension.

Better focus and learning capacity.

Increased confidence and relaxation.

💡 Why it Matters:
Functional biomechanics = healthier bodies, clearer communication, and a stronger partnership. When movement is efficient, energy is freed up for connection and performance.

#BiomechanicsEducation #FunctionalMovement #HorseTrainingTips #MindAndBody #HorseAndRiderConnection #HealthyMovement

From kissing spine journey of building strength and balance back to the body for ally and now to Louise learning cues herself to continue the journey.

From not be able to pick up his hind legs then to today picking up his hind legs with no problems!

The journey isn’t over, but every milestone is worth celebrating. Here’s to the small wins that make the big picture possible. 💪❤️

There are 3 levels of building connection✨️

🔹 Physical Connection
Through soft hands, balanced seat, clear aids, and the right release of pressure.

🔹 Mental Connection
By giving consistent cues, inviting problem-solving, and keeping the horse’s focus with you.

🔹 Emotional Connection
Through trust, patience, fairness, and mutual respect.

💡 True connection grows when we listen as much as we guide. It’s not about control, but about moving together as one.

#HorseTraining #Horsemanship #EquestrianLife #Connection #BalancedRiding #HorseLovers

✨ Riding Patterns with Purpose ✨

Patterns aren’t just about your horse memorising shapes in the arena — they’re about creating rhythm, balance, and feel between you and your horse.

Biomechanically, patterns help your horse build strength, coordination, and suppleness. But the magic happens when your horse isn’t just zoning out, going through the motions — instead, they’re tuned into you.

✔️ Use patterns to check in with your horse’s body: are they straight, soft, and balanced?
✔️ Use them to refine your own timing: are your aids clear and consistent?
✔️ And most importantly, ride each line with intention, so your horse learns to seek your guidance — not just the next corner.

When you ride this way, the pattern becomes more than a drill… it becomes a conversation.

#Horsemanship #Biomechanics #HorseTrainingTips #SoftnessAndConnection #RidingWithFeel #EquestrianEducation

Horsemanship isn’t just about the big moments in the arena or the fancy maneuvers — it’s about the micro details we practice every day.

Take bridling for example: teaching your horse to softly lower their head and relax while you put the bridle on might seem small, but it teaches so much more than just that task.

✨ It builds softness and respect.
✨ It shows your horse that pressure has a clear release.
✨ It creates a habit of relaxation in moments where horses often brace.
✨ It teaches you to slow down, notice the try, and reward at the right time.

When we do the micro things well, they roll over into everything else we do. The same softness you feel at the bridle shows up in your groundwork, your transitions, and your horse’s willingness under saddle.

Horsemanship is layered — the small things create the foundation that supports the big things. 🌱

#Horsemanship #HorseTrainingTips #SoftnessAndFeel #BuildingPartnership #DoTheLittleThingsWell #HorseConnection #HorseTrainingJourney

Moose first outing that had lots of things going on, lots of other horses, other clinics going on. at ranch clinic with @nrequine

He did so well 🥰 I have always found clinics to be a great place to start to get young horses used to competition atmosphere, though its not exactly the same its still a lot more going on than what happens at home training.

We had a great 🫎💙✨️

#goodhorsemanship

When we first begin working with horses, our focus is often on learning the patterns and movements — how to ask for a circle, a stop, a yield, or a transition. This stage is important because both horse and rider need to understand the “language” of cues.

But true horsemanship develops beyond the mechanics. Over time, we start to build feel and timing — the ability to sense where the horse’s feet are, when to release, and how much pressure is needed in that exact moment.

👉 Feel is about noticing what the horse is offering.
👉 Timing is about rewarding or correcting at just the right moment.

When these two come together, the result is softness, connection, and a horse that is willing, balanced, and relaxed. It’s not something that happens overnight — it takes patience, practice, and years of experience.

If you’re in the early stages, don’t rush. The patterns are just the foundation. With time, your awareness will grow, and that’s when the real partnership begins.

#HorsemanshipJourney #HorseTrainingTips #FeelAndTiming #SoftnessAndConnection #EquineEducation #FoundationFirst

You’d be surprised how quickly things begin to change when you show up with try, commitment, and consistency. Progress doesn’t mean every training session will be perfect—it rarely is. True growth is about learning, adapting, and being willing to work through the tougher days just as much as celebrating the good ones.

Every moment with your horse is a chance to build trust, improve communication, and grow together. When you stay patient, open to learning, and consistent in the approach, you’ll be amazed at how far you and your horse can go. 💫🐴

#HorsemanshipJourney #HorseTrainingTips #ConsistencyIsKey #BuildingBetterPartnerships #TrustTheProcess #HorseLife #PartnershipNotPerfection #EquestrianGrowth #HorseTrainer #FoundationFirst

In horses and in life, everyone has an opinion. But if you want to grow, be mindful of who you let guide you.

Choose to be around honest, quality people — the ones who not only speak truth but also live the kind of horsemanship you’d be proud to follow.

Growth doesn’t come from noise, it comes from surrounding yourself with those who inspire, support, and keep you accountable. 🐎✨

#HorseTraining #GrowthMindset #HonestConnections #QualityPeople #EquestrianJourney

“The price of progress is pain — but not in the way most people think.”

In horse training, progress isn’t about pushing through physical pain or forcing results. The real pain is in the patience, the consistency, and the humility it takes to slow down when every part of you wants to rush ahead.

It’s in letting go of your ego, working through setbacks, and doing the small, sometimes frustrating things every single day. That’s the pain that builds a strong foundation, a sound body, and a willing mind in your horse.

Progress isn’t free. But when you’re willing to pay the price with time, discipline, and care — the partnership you create is priceless.

✨ Trust the process. Respect the horse. Invest in the journey.

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@ride_risehorsemanship

Australia’s Greatest Horsewomen 2024

What a ride! Competing at this incredible event pushed both me and my horse to our best.

Highlights included:
🏆 4th Overall – Rookie Division
🤠 6th – Cowgirl Up Challenge
🐎 2nd – Rookie Obstacles
✨ 4th – Reining

Every ride was a reminder of the power of preparation, connection, and teamwork. Proud of our progress and excited for what’s next!

About me!

Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—I was riding before I could walk. This lifelong passion has shaped my journey, driving me to deepen my understanding and refine my approach to horsemanship.

At thirteen, my family established a riding school that became home to 22 horses, from show ponies and ex-racehorses to Standardbreds, Warmbloods, and Andalusians.

My start was in English disciplines, primarily dressage, with experience in showing, jumping, and cross-country. Alongside this, I worked with off-the-track racehorses and rescued ponies, retraining them for new careers in our school. Training two young Warmbloods further broadened my experience and helped me develop a versatile, well-rounded approach to working with horses of all types.

Over the years, I have trained under a variety of respected instructors, always seeking to refine my methods. My journey led me to move away from traditional training aids—like side reins, tie-downs, and martingales—toward a more connected, intuitive style, while still pursuing competitive goals.

A six-week yoga instructor training course in Queensland was transformative, enhancing my own wellbeing while deepening my understanding of balance, body awareness, and mindful movement—principles I now integrate into every aspect of horsemanship.

Since then, I’ve embraced Western riding, exploring roping, cattle work, obstacle challenges, cutting and the versatility this discipline offers.

Despite the differences in style, my core philosophy remains the same: to develop horses that are soft, responsive, and happy—capable both in performance and on relaxed trail rides.

I’ve had the privilege of learning from esteemed trainers across Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and even spent two weeks at a ranch in Montana at a Buck Brannaman clinic. Each experience has shaped my evolving horsemanship style, which prioritizes effective techniques and horses that thrive without harsh bits or restrictive equipment.

My ultimate goal is to create well-rounded, willing horses and cultivate genuine partnerships between horse and rider—whether for competition, trail riding, or simply enjoying the connection that makes horsemanship so rewarding.