Tegan & Ruby

Where do I start with describing Shelley Appleton and the influence that she’s had on me with both my horse skills and myself as a person.

It all started back in 2016 when I began my search for a horse trainer who would help me start my own horse, a beautiful big WB mare who I’d bred myself. Ruby was the first horse that I’d bred and the first baby horse I’d ever handled and I wanted to be the one to start her. At the same time make sure I did it correctly and not miss important details that would come back and haunt us down the track..

My search found Shelley and together over the summer we slowly developed Ruby into a horse who was confident, willing, relaxed and would try her heart out when new things were asked of her. That summer was just the beginning of a journey that will last a lifetime for me. I now realise that each new day is a day to learn and improve. That as horse people we owe it to our horse to always strive to be a better you. That realising you don’t need to be the best rider out there, just the best listener because horses have a lot to tell us, if we would only listen to them.

Through out this journey Shelley has not only become a great mentor to me but an even greater friend (**cough** adopted mum!). I am and always will be thankful for the day that Shelley came into my life and to have her in my corner is a gift that I will cherish forever.