Christine & Myal High Lyric
I've ridden and trained horses for over 30 years and coached riders for a good chunk of that time too. After having kids, rather than settling down, I decided to level-up. I came to Australia for three weeks to explore how some of the Olympic pros were doing it, my plans being to learn their ways and take the knowledge back home with me. However, visiting Shane Rose's Bimbadeen Park and Tinney Eventing saw me change my plan to full immersion instead.
With that, I moved myself, my family, our dog and not one, but two horses from NZ to NSW Australia ...packing only what we could into nine suitcases! Why? Because you only live once and I wanted to find out how far I could go in eventing. I love New Zealand and will always call it home, but the pull of the busy Australian equestrian scene was too strong to say 'no' - if I didn't come I'd have been left forever wondering 'what if...'
I've been riding ever since I can remember. I grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand and had my first pony called Trumpet leased for me when I was about two or three years old. I was hooked from there! While I wasn't able to have a pony continuously as a child and never went to Pony Club, throughout my school years I was still known as the girl who was obsessed with horses. My doodles in the margins of my school books were horses; the books I read were always about horses; any project I did at school I wanted to do on horses...although my teachers didn't always comply (they thought I needed to broaden my horizons).
After a few years without a horse of my own, a Thoroughbred called Henry came into my life when I was about 15 years old. We had heaps of fun hacking out, going to shows, competing in events and just hanging out at the paddock.
Now based in NSW, Australia with my own horses and those I train and compete for my clients, I am still as passionate as ever about educating horses and their riders. I love piecing together training techniques to both improve horse performance, and communication between human and equine, it's an ongoing journey and there is always more to discover.
With that, I moved myself, my family, our dog and not one, but two horses from NZ to NSW Australia ...packing only what we could into nine suitcases! Why? Because you only live once and I wanted to find out how far I could go in eventing. I love New Zealand and will always call it home, but the pull of the busy Australian equestrian scene was too strong to say 'no' - if I didn't come I'd have been left forever wondering 'what if...'
I've been riding ever since I can remember. I grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand and had my first pony called Trumpet leased for me when I was about two or three years old. I was hooked from there! While I wasn't able to have a pony continuously as a child and never went to Pony Club, throughout my school years I was still known as the girl who was obsessed with horses. My doodles in the margins of my school books were horses; the books I read were always about horses; any project I did at school I wanted to do on horses...although my teachers didn't always comply (they thought I needed to broaden my horizons).
After a few years without a horse of my own, a Thoroughbred called Henry came into my life when I was about 15 years old. We had heaps of fun hacking out, going to shows, competing in events and just hanging out at the paddock.
Now based in NSW, Australia with my own horses and those I train and compete for my clients, I am still as passionate as ever about educating horses and their riders. I love piecing together training techniques to both improve horse performance, and communication between human and equine, it's an ongoing journey and there is always more to discover.
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I find great pleasure in teaching others. As a riding coach, I love helping people reach their own personal goals with their horse. From working towards feeling safe enough to go trail riding with friends, or canter out in the open with confidence; to more intensive training for the purpose of taking the horse out and getting involved in competing.
On top of over 30 years of riding & experience with horses, I am an Equestrian Australia (EA) Level 1 Coach, I have my NZQA National Certificate in Stable Practice Level 4, National Equestrian Academy Certificate in Equitation, NZQA National Certificate in Community Coach Level 4. I am also a qualified Veterinary Nurse - NZQA National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing Level 4, and am a Certified Life Coach with the American Union of NLP. |
Christine on XC with Myal High El Capitano
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Christine show jumping with Myal High El Capitano
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I enjoy ongoing education myself and believe there is always more to be learnt, from other people with fresh ideas and as advances are made in understanding our equine partners. Getting regular coaching is fun and something I really look forward to, helping to develop myself into the best rider & teacher I can be.
Riders I have been privileged to learn from include NZ's own amazing multi-Olympic gold medal 5* eventer, Sir Mark Todd; 5* event rider Sam Lyle; Grand Prix show jumper David Cameron; 3* event rider Shaun Dillon; 5* dressage judge and coach Carolyn James; top rider and award-winning horse behaviourist Andrew McLean and his wife dressage specialist Manuela McLean; NZ Olympic show jumper, Grant Cashmore, and Grand Prix show jumper Ross Smith to name a few. |
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I have started many young horses; plus re-trained and schooled many, many others. I take great pride in my work with the horses I am privileged to help shape and I'm always interested in expanding my own field of knowledge to better understand, train and educate.
Eventing and show jumping are my equestrian sports of choice. In eventing, the dressage phase is a constant opportunity for development and improvement - the way it feels when we nail a test is worth the hours of training. The precision of show jumping is an art I thoroughly enjoy, but most of all, the power, speed and absolute exhilaration that the cross country always delivers; me and my horse out on course, on our own, with just each other to rely upon while we take on 'the world together' is one of the best feelings I know. The day-to-day lifestyle I get to enjoy is one I feel privileged to have; feeding out, checking-on and just hanging out and spending time with each of my horses. In quiet times I also enjoy riding bareback at home, taking the horses to the beach, and sometimes I even go away on non-horse related holidays, just to mix it up. |
Christine & Myal High Lyric in the dressage
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