.:EQUUS:.

Perhaps you’re planning a trip to the lovely country that is Australia in the near future, but you haven’t yet worked out where you can get access to some awesome horse related activities.  So there appears to be a myriad of options at Adrenalin:

• Horse riding on the central coast of Sydney
• A beach ride in Daintree, Queensland - while here, it’s a perfect opportunity to check out Daintree Rainforest.
• School holiday horse riding camp in Sydney
• Private and group lessons in Sydney
• Introduction to polo in the form of a 2 hour session - individual or group
• Jackaroo/Jillaroo 5 and 12 day courses in country New South Wales

Covering a myriad of prices from $45, there are different disciplines in a couple of States of Australia - perfect for those wanting to see different areas of this great country.  For further details, check out http://www.adrenalin.com.au/all/&searchterm=horse.

“Wild oats aren’t meant for sowing - but they make a nice trail snack.”

tag: australia, jackaroo, cattle driving

As a Christian who’s in love with horses, I’m always keen to read and hear about equine ministries around the world.  And even more eager to see the day when mine comes to fruition!  Although I still have a lot to learn and achieve before setting up my dream, I’m sure there are people out there with a dream in mind that are ready to start - they’re just lacking the funds.

Now I say ‘just’ because this is an obstacle that can be overcome - and sometimes by others rather than yourself.  On LightFM they’ve been advertising of late the $100,000 giveaway by Mission Travel.

The gist?  “Missiontravel.com.au will be giving away $100,000 to Christian individuals, churches and ministries nationwide. We want to know how you would like to serve God and how a grant could make that happen. The $100,000 is available in $5,000 and $10,000 Overseas Experiences, Bible College Scholarships and Cash Grants.”

“But where do the horses come into it, Christine?” I hear you ask.  Well, if you’re one who has a heart for reaching people through horses and are dreaming of running your own equine ministry, that’s where they come into it!  For those who have the plan but are just lacking the funds to get started, consider applying for the $10,000 or $5,000 grant for a ministry group or individual.

What you’ll need to tell them about if applying for an individual grant:

• What you plan on using the funds for and what you plan to achieve on account of receiving the funds
• How would you ensure that the use of your funds remain sustainable in furthering God’s kingdom?
• Provide a simple budget overview to show how the funds would be used.
• Provide a simple timeline to demonstrate when the grant will be used in each quarter, to be completed by the end of 2011.
• Please share anything else that we should be aware of when considering your application. (250 words or less)

What you’ll need to tell them about if applying for a group ministry grant:

• Describe your organisation.
• Briefly outline the mission and vision of your organisation.
• How would you use this cash grant?
• What are 3 main outcomes you hope to achieve from the funds?
• How would you ensure that the use of your funds remain sustainable in furthering God’s kingdom?
• Provide a simple budget overview to show how the funds would be used.
• Provide a simple timeline to demonstrate when the grant will be used in each quarter, to be completed by the end of 2011.
• Please share anything else that we should be aware of when considering your application. (250 words or less)

Applications close Monday 21st of June.  Perhaps you’re looking at that date and thinking - but I haven’t enough time to document all of that to apply!

Maybe not.  But, have you considered doing it anyway?  The best way to achieve a dream, goal or plan is to document what you need to do and how you’re going to get there.  This is the first year that Mission Travel have offered these funds to kick start other ministries.  I doubt it’ll be the last.

“Forewarned is forearmed” - make sure you’re prepared for another opportunity like this when it comes knocking!

“I used to have money, now I have horses.”

tag: equine ministry, horse goals, travel, christian ministry

So I’ve been thinking a bit of late of all the things I’d like to achieve in life - many equine related!  A firm believer in lists, I have a book that has all of these plans written down.  With that in mind, I think all equine lovers should have horse related dreams and goals to work towards - I even took the liberty of listing in an article some that you may consider worthwhile to add to your own list

For myself they vary greatly although many are horse related:

• Ever spotted a horse in a magazine, on a website or at a show or race and thought - man, I have to have the progeny of that mare or stallion?  For me, a Shatoor filly fits this situation.
• I’d love to acquire a Friesian somewhere down the line, also - and perhaps a Gypsy Vanner!
• I want to learn so much more about different jobs and disciplines and to take part in a Jackaroo course



• I’d love to learn to barrel race and try polocrosse
• Trek over the Snowy Mountains, travel to see the Lipizzaners in Vienna, Austria and visit an estancia in Argentina to learn about polo
• Do a chiropractic or equine massage course

• Finish my Degree in Equine Science
• Run my own agistment property

So, that’s the majority of the horse related ones - though I can’t say they will be achieved in that order - and that’s fine by me!  Life is so much about relationships and learning and it’s wonderful to know I’ll never stop learning about these gorgeous animals or experiencing different things with regards to them.

So!  What’s on your bucket list?

“If I had a horse, I’d ride off in the sunset, where dreams, and shadows lie. To a life, where pain and sorrow don’t exist, and to where hopes, and dreams become reality.” - Lindsay Turcotte

tag: horse goals, horse riding, Vienna, Spanish Riding School

So I got sent this link through uni and thought, ‘If only I had the money!’  Sounds like a great learning opportunity!

In Kings Canyon, the Northern Territory, Australia, this six day conference (June 21 - 26)  is “the perfect opportunity to mix science with travel, experience the Australian Outback and Aboriginal culture in one of the world’s best tourist destinations.”

Equine scientists from around the world will be there to discuss wild horses.  The countries/areas represented are:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• America
• Europe
• Africa

Places are limited with 50 on offer, the first paid being the ones who will secure these places.  Areas covered include the wild horse’s foot, ecology of feral horses in the Australian central desert, mustang behaviour and GPS tracking, Przewalski horses, photograph presentation of wild horses, desert horse GPS tracking, Konic horses and Kaimanawa horses of New Zealand.

As well as daily evening seminars, there will be observation of feral horses  and camels during the day and an activity at the waterhole at night.  Throw in a half hour helicopter ride, a 2.5 hour quad motorbike safari and you still haven’t covered it all!  Handling and quietening of brumbies will occur over a four day period as well as a camel sunset ride and guided tours around the area.

The cost is $1700 AUD per person.  This includes the conference, associated activities and accommodation as well as breakfast and dinner.  Further details as well as the daily program can be found at http://www.wildhorseresearch.com/.

tag: wild horses, brumbies, australia, horse conference

So a recent article I was writing with regards to the identification of a horse led me to linking to a page on Lipizzaner’s with regards the breed being specifically known for their grey or white stallions.  These gorgeous animals are on display at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna which for over 430 years has practiced classical equitation in the ‘Renaissance tradition of the haute école’.

The way the horse naturally moves is studied and the objective of classical equitation as well as the cultivation of the highest possible levels of haute école elegance that the horse is capable of.

For a rider, working and performing at such a school may be the perfect aspiration.  There are pre-requisites or requirements when it comes to qualifying for such a position.  Those who are successful are invited to an interview and possibly asked to give a riding demonstration.

Requirements for an eleve or cadet:

- Minimum age: 17 years
- Nationality of an EU member state
- Athletic and creative abilities
- Body height should not exceed 170cm
- In relation to the upper body, the legs should appear long
- A slim physique is required
- Fluent German and a good command of English
- A strong affinity to horses and basic riding skills

The successful eleve will then undertake a four year training program.  To become a rider the training can cover a 10 year duration.  In 2008 the first female cadets were taken in, breaking the all male tradition.

Indeed, qualifying as a cadet sounds like a lot of work but so very much worth it!  For the avid horse rider, perhaps such a position is worth looking into.

“A horse is an animal not a machine and is only as good as it’s rider.”

tag: cadetship, horseriding, Vienna, Spanish Riding School