About Me

How to live a paradox:

I always think my life is a bit of a paradox. I have competed in elite level eventing, and am fiercely competitive but also believe in loving the horse first and the sport second. I am fascinated and informed by equitation science, but also believe in horses being spiritual teachers. I am a riding coach who aims to make myself obsolete (and will often open a coaching relationship with that proclamation). I am a human chiropractor with a Masters of Research and two papers published in peer-reviewed journals who also adores reiki and spirituality. I have spent most of my life a self proclaimed wimp (one of my favourite quotes comes from Mark Twain “The human race is a race of cowards, and I not only march in that procession, but carry a banner”) but I have created a life by going after the very things that scare me the most. I am an introvert by nature (I’d honestly be a hermit if I could) but I love working with people and finding deep connection in relationships. I was “forced” kicking and screaming to a psychologist’s office but now want more than anything to look at the emotional component to our struggles. I love writing but I never feel like I am very good with words.

A brief History of me

I began riding at age 9, got my first pony at age 12 and began eventing at age 13. I proved that you can get a long way on an attitude of “watch me” and “make me”. I loved to prove the naysayers wrong. I took my magnificent off-the-track gelding Fox Hill from pony club to 5***** level eventing - completing the Australian International 3Day for four consecutive years, placing twice. After finishing school I worked as a groom for over a decade in various professional horse yards from eventing, to dressage, to showjumping, to polo, to racing, to pleasure, to breakers… you name it.

I became a riding coach in 2006 (though really I started coaching back in pony club) and have taught people from beginners to FEI level eventers. I have competed also up to grand prix level showjumping and medium level dressage, as well as training a myriad of horses to varying levels and in various disciplines.

I qualified as a human chiropractor with a Bachelors and Masters from Macquarie University in 2016 - having managed to keep a full team of horses in work and a full-time job throughout my uni career. I published a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal, then decided that wasn’t enough so co-authored another, then went back to do a Masters of Research which I completed in early 2019.

Coinciding with the latter part of my chiropractic degree was something of a personal “rock bottom”. My life fell apart, I fell apart, and I faced my biggest demons; not cross country fences, but myself. There was a quote I found at the time which said “strong is what happens when you run out of weak”, for me though peace and love were what happened when I ran out of fear.

Coming back from this time, I dropped a lot of my cynicism and pseudo-self, and discovered the world of reiki and spirituality. I would love to say it changed my life, but really it saved my life. I found joy in deep human connection, and discovered a whole new way to work with and appreciate the horses that I had centred my life around.

More recently I have undertaken yet another degree… to become a veterinarian! I aim to add these skills (and diagnostic priveleges!) to my existing work in order to offer an even better service to the horses.

Qualifications:

A summary of some of my qualifications include:

Currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at University of Queensland

Bachelor of Chiropractic Science - Macquarie University

Masters of Chiropractic - Macquarie University

Masters of Research - Macquarie University - original research thesis investigating the effectiveness of a 5 week functional movement programme I designed for dressage riders.

Equine Reiki Master

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation 1

Equine Craniosacral Therapy

Equine and Canine Therapeutic Acupuncture

TTouch Level 1

EA Level 1 Coach (registration lapsed)

QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer

Family and Systemic Constellations Facilitator

Face Reading 1

Shadow Work Coach

Life Coach

NLP

Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)

Certified Meditation Teacher

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Ho’oponopono practitioner

I’m also currently studying:

Bachelor of Veterinary Science - University of Queensland

200hr Yoga Teacher Training

I have also published two research papers in peer-reviewed journals:

Is Pilates and Effective Rehabilitation Tool? A systematic review. Byrnes et al. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2018.

Effects of Non-pharmaceutical Treatments on Symptom Management in Adults With Mild or Moderate Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis. Byrnes and Whillier. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2019.

Masters of Research Thesis:

Feasibility of a 5-week functional movement course for dressage horse riders - which can be downloaded through the Macquarie University Research Online portal.