Meet Julie

Horses have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Over the years I've been fortunate to experience the equestrian world from many different perspectives — as a rider, coach and, for many years, as one of Australia's leading equestrian photographers.

When COVID-19 brought my photography career to an unexpected halt, it opened the door to a completely new chapter.

I retrained in allied health and disability support, with a particular interest in working with children and exploring how movement, learning and horses could come together.

The moment I never forgot

Years ago, I had an introduction to The Riding For The Disabled Association and saw the joy that being around horses brought to the participants.

I also witnessed a display where a rider was put on a chair and asked to throw a ball through a hoop.

They kept missing the hoop, but when the child was put on a horse and asked to do the same thing, they successfully threw the ball multiple times into the hoop.

Later, while studying allied health, I found myself thinking about the chair/horse experiment again. I began searching for something that could help recreate aspects of that horse-based experience in a more accessible and predictable environment.

That's when I discovered the Equicizer.

Then I found Courage

What excited me wasn't simply that Courage looked like a horse.

I could see the possibilities.

A child could take their time getting on. A nervous rider could practise without worrying about what the horse might do next. Someone could repeat an activity again and again. A rider could concentrate on their own position and movement. And Courage could travel to people who might never have easy access to a horse.

Why Go Gallop?

What if more people could experience the joy, movement and learning associated with horses?

Not everyone can access a riding school or equestrian centre. For some people, the size, unpredictability or sensory environment surrounding a live horse can also be challenging.

Courage gives us another starting point.

Go Gallop brings horse-inspired movement, learning and rider development into a supportive environment where participants can explore, practise and progress at their own pace.

My approach

Person first
There's no one-size-fits-all Go Gallop session.

Progress at your pace
We can stop, repeat, change an activity or simply take some time to become comfortable with Courage.

Ability before limitation
Start with what someone can do and build from there.

Learning should be enjoyable
Smiles, laughter and achievement matter.

Respect for horses
Courage can introduce people to equestrian concepts while encouraging understanding and respect for real horses.

My allied health training informs the way I approach movement, participation and individual needs; however, Go Gallop does not provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy or other clinical allied health treatment.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV Allied Health Assistance

• Certificate IV Disability Support

• Equine Facilitated Learning – Level 1

• Equestrian Coach – Level 1

• Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training (Delta Dogs)

Checks & Certifications

• Working with Children Check

• NDIS Worker Screening Check

• First Aid & CPR

• Police Check

Go Gallop — Where Movement Changes Lives.

Horses have always been part of my story.