High Country Retreat
Join us for a transformational three-day retreat in the breathtaking
Mansfield!
✨ 19th - 21st March 2027✨
2027 Persenters
Dr. Raquel Butler
Dr. Raquel Butler is a highly respected veterinarian, educator and equine rehabilitation specialist whose career has been dedicated to understanding how horses move, function and perform. After graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2004, she spent eight years working in mixed veterinary practice throughout Australia and overseas before following her passion for equine biomechanics, rehabilitation and bodywork.
Her extensive qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine (chiropractic, osteopathy and rehabilitation), a Bachelor of Science, and a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. She is also a certified Equinology Equine Bodyworker and Instructor and continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing study in anatomy, biomechanics, rehabilitation and equine performance.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with anatomy and movement, Dr. Raquel has spent years studying equine biomechanics through extensive dissection work alongside renowned anatomist Dr. Sharon May-Davis. This in-depth understanding of structure and function allows her to identify the subtle compensations and movement patterns that influence posture, comfort, performance and long-term soundness.
Passionate about education, Dr. Raquel has taught within Charles Sturt University’s Bachelor of Equine Science program, sharing her knowledge of equine locomotion, rehabilitation and the equine athlete with the next generation of industry professionals. Today, she continues to educate horse owners and professionals through her highly regarded Functional Posture courses, helping them better understand the relationship between posture, movement and overall wellbeing.
She also co-hosts The Equine Functional Posture Podcast, where she shares practical insights into biomechanics, rehabilitation and functional movement. Through every aspect of her work, Dr. Raquel bridges the gap between veterinary science, biomechanics and hands-on therapy, empowering horse owners with the knowledge and confidence to better understand, support and advocate for their horses.
Georgia Bruce
Georgia has dedicated her life to understanding horses and helping people build better relationships with them through kindness, communication and positive reinforcement.
She has proudly represented Australia 12 times in dressage, including at the 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games. Throughout her career, Georgia has trained many horses to a high level in dressage and has worked at internationally renowned dressage stables in both Australia and Germany. She is also a qualified dressage coach and judge.
Georgia has been using clicker training with horses and other animals since 1998. Her passion for positive reinforcement led her to become the Head Animal Trainer at the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, (Zoo) where she spent two years working with a diverse range of exotic animals, including cheetahs, lions and monkeys.
For more than 20 years, Georgia has shared her knowledge through clinics, lessons and demonstrations across Australia alongside her incredible horse, Rumba The Wonder Horse. Together they perform Grand Prix dressage at liberty and bridleless, as well as an amazing range of tricks and advanced behaviours. Their inspiring partnership has captured the attention of audiences around the world, with multiple videos going viral online.
Georgia is also the author of two books on clicker training horses and has created an extensive online training program featuring more than 150 step-by-step videos, helping horse owners develop willing, confident and trusting partnerships with their horses
Ros Maindok
Ros Maindok has dedicated her career to helping horses and riders achieve greater comfort, balance and performance through a unique combination of therapy, movement and education. Driven by an insatiable curiosity to understand how horses move, learn and communicate, she is passionate about uncovering the “why” behind each horse’s movement, behaviour and performance.
Ros is an Equine Therapist specialising in Lazaris Nerve Release, Equine Biomechanics, Functional Movement Therapy and Photonic Red Light Therapy. Her work focuses on improving mobility, nervous system function, communication, balance and long-term soundness by addressing the horse as a whole, while recognising the important role the rider plays in the partnership.
Her commitment to continual learning has seen her undertake extensive training in Equine Sports Massage, Human Bowen Therapy, Tissue Mobilisation, Skeletal Biokinetics, Photonic Red Light Therapy, Equinology Myofascial Release, Saddle Fitting, Rider Biomechanics, Equine and Human Reiki, and coaching. She also holds qualifications in Agriculture, Training & Assessment, is an International Society Rider Biomechanics Coach and a PCAWA Coach, and continues her studies in Articular Osteopathy through the London College of Osteopathy.
Although Ros had already built a strong foundation in therapy and biomechanics, it was her introduction to Science of Motion in 2013 that completely transformed the way she viewed equine movement. After years of studying bodywork, she realised that movement itself could become one of the most powerful forms of therapy. It shifted the way she understood the horse’s body and inspired her to explore the relationship between biomechanics, the nervous system, rider influence and functional movement in far greater depth. This journey led to further studies with respected educators including Charlotte Moore, Dr Gellman and Dr Shoemaker.
Her ongoing pursuit of understanding eventually led Ros to BTMM and Lazaris Nerve Release, where many of the final pieces fell into place. She recognised the profound impact this work could have on horses, particularly in developing healthier foundations for movement, contact and connection. Today, she integrates these techniques with her extensive therapy background to support both the body and nervous system as one interconnected system.
Passionate about education as much as treatment, Ros enjoys helping owners understand the why behind their horse’s behaviour and movement, encouraging them to think critically, make informed decisions and work collaboratively alongside veterinarians and other equine professionals. Rather than offering quick fixes, she is committed to myth-busting, empowering owners with knowledge and helping them better understand the horse in front of them.
Through Equine Functional Solutions, Ros brings together decades of practical experience, continual learning and a genuine passion for improving the lives of horses. Her goal is to help horses and riders move with greater comfort, confidence and connection, while giving owners the knowledge to understand not just what they are seeing, but why.
Megan Harrison
Meagan Harrison brings together a unique blend of veterinary nursing experience, holistic therapies and practical horsemanship to help both horses and their people thrive.
Beginning her career as a veterinary nurse in mixed practice, working with both small and large animals, Meagan developed a strong interest in equine rehabilitation and bodywork. This passion led her to further study a wide range of complementary therapies, including Myofunctional Therapy, Bowen Therapy, Emmett Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, the Masterson Method, kinesiology taping, red light therapy and alternative medicine for both humans and animals.
After meeting Warwick Schiller in 2008, Meagan was mentored by him for many years, inspiring the creation of Harrison Holistic Horsemanship. She has since dedicated her career to helping people build a deeper understanding of their horses through connection, communication and a whole-horse approach.
An accomplished horsewoman, Meagan is a co-founder of the Western Dressage Association of Victoria and has competed successfully at both State and National level in Western Dressage and Reining. More recently, she has developed a passion for liberty and ranch riding, including competing in Australia’s Greatest Cowgirl Liberty Competition.
Over the past 15 years, Meagan has continued to expand her knowledge by learning from many of Australia’s most respected horsemen and women, while also presenting her own clinics and lessons throughout Victoria and interstate. This ongoing commitment to learning, combined with her diverse background, allows her to draw from a broad range of perspectives while remaining true to her own thoughtful and compassionate approach.
Working with horses from all walks of life, Meagan recognised that lasting change comes not only from training horses, but from empowering people. Today, she is passionate about helping owners better understand their horse’s body, mind and spirit, while recognising how their own thoughts, emotions and energy influence the relationship. Her compassionate, holistic approach has helped countless people find a new path with horses that have previously been misunderstood, creating stronger partnerships built on trust, communication and mutual understanding.
Adele Edwards
Adele Edwards is the founder of the Equine Revive Method and an experienced acupuncturist, Shiatsu and Bowen therapist, natural therapist, educator and intuitive energy healer who has spent more than 25 years helping both horses and humans restore balance, movement and wellbeing.
With qualifications in acupuncture, TCM, Ayurveda, Shiatsu, Bowen Therapy, and a broad range of complementary healing modalities, Adele has developed a unique approach that blends ancient wisdom with modern understanding of the body, fascia, the nervous system and the interconnected nature of health. Her work recognises that true healing extends beyond physical symptoms, exploring the relationship between the body, mind, emotions, environment and energy.
One of Adele's greatest strengths is her ability to connect deeply with each horse as an individual. By combining clinical knowledge, careful observation and intuition, she uncovers patterns that may be influencing a horse's physical comfort, emotional wellbeing and behaviour. This deeper understanding allows her to tailor every session to the unique needs of both horse and owner, creating a space where meaningful and lasting change can occur.
Known for her ability to identify the deeper patterns that contribute to pain, dysfunction and behavioural change, Adele created Timeline Healing, a signature process that works with the body's energetic blueprint to help release the original imprints of trauma and chronic stress. Rather than simply treating symptoms, her work aims to restore coherence within the body's energy system, allowing natural healing processes to unfold.
A passionate educator, Adele is dedicated to helping people better understand their horses, their own bodies and the powerful connection between them. Through clinics, workshops, online education and the annual Equine Revive High Country Retreat, she empowers horse owners with practical tools and a broader perspective on holistic health, movement and performance.
Her philosophy is simple: when we learn to see the whole being rather than separate parts, we create the greatest opportunity for lasting health, connection and transformation.
Elsa Sinclair
Bringing together presenters who genuinely inspire, challenge our thinking, and deepen our understanding of horses has always been at the heart of the Equine Revive High Country Retreat. I am incredibly grateful that this amazing woman has accepted my invitation to be part of the 2027 retreat.
Elsa Sinclair is what happens when you take scientific method, horse training, and professional filmmaking, blending them all together into an artist and instructor who can clearly communicate and break down even the most difficult questions. She brings the horse world a unique and powerful perspective as a trainer of horses and the humans who want more out of their relationships with them.
Elsa draws on a long and diverse history with horses, and now she travels through the ongoing adventure of her life’s work; Taming Wild.
What if horses were given a choice? Would they let us ride them? Without force or tools to control and without bribes to lure them? Elsa asked the questions, embarked on a project to find out and ultimately filmed her first movie about that process.
What started as simple questions, birthed the film "Taming Wild: A Girl And A Mustang" , an online course for those interested in learning Freedom Based Training® firsthand, and a following of people who seek their own answers in what it takes to work more collaboratively with horses.
As tends to happen, questions birth more questions, and so Elsa is continuing on her Taming Wild journey with a second movie "Taming Wild: Pura Vida" finished in 2019, a third movie currently filming, a book released in 2025, and an ever-growing community of collaborators, human and equine. What does it take to truly work together in freedom of choice?
Catherine McDowell.
As the Founder and Director of McDowells Herbal Treatments, Australia’s leading provider of liquid herbal remedies for animals and people, Cath has spent more than 25 years helping horses and their owners achieve lasting health by working with nature rather than against it.
Her journey began with a desire to help people live with greater awareness, freedom of choice, and control over their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. That philosophy continues to shape everything she does today and has become the foundation of her work with both people and animals.
A graduate of both Dorothy Hall College of Herbal Medicine and Denis Stewart College of Herbal Medicine, Cath is a Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS), an Equine Specialist, and also holds qualifications in counselling, training and equestrian coaching. Her unique combination of knowledge allows her to bring together science, traditional herbal medicine and practical experience to support both horses and the people who care for them.
Alongside McDowells Herbal, Cath co-owns Winterwood Sport Horses, where holistic management and classical horsemanship are central to every decision. Her passion for biomechanically sound training and allowing horses to develop naturally reflects her belief that lasting partnerships are built through understanding, balance and respect.
From humble beginnings in a small regional shop, Cath has grown McDowells Herbal into an internationally recognised practice, with herbal formulations and rehabilitation programs trusted by horse owners around the world. She is also a respected educator, writer and keynote speaker, regularly sharing her knowledge through Equitana Melbourne, the Horseman Collective and industry publications.
Whether consulting with clients, educating horse owners or speaking at events, Cath’s passion remains the same: empowering people with practical knowledge while helping horses live healthier, happier lives through the wisdom of nature.
Sam Kruijer
Sam Kruijer is an experienced, horsewoman, biomechanics coach and educator who has spent more than 40 years dedicated to understanding the horse–rider partnership. Passionate about helping both horses and riders reach their full potential, Sam is renowned for her ability to identify the subtle factors that influence movement, performance and communication.
Throughout her career, Sam has worked with horses across a wide range of disciplines, including starting young horses, rehabilitation, groundwork, liberty and competition. Her background in Applied Science (Animal Technology), Advanced Veterinary Nursing, Bowen Therapy, Homoeopathy and Energy Work has given her a unique whole-horse perspective, combining science, biomechanics, health and intuition.
One of Sam's greatest strengths is her remarkable ability to analyse the interaction between horse and rider. With a highly trained eye for biomechanics, she quickly recognises how a rider's posture, balance, asymmetries and movement patterns influence the horse's balance, straightness, comfort and performance.
Through practical, easy-to-understand coaching, Sam helps riders develop greater awareness of how their own body influences their horse's movement. By improving balance, coordination and feel, she helps create clearer communication, improved performance and a more harmonious partnership. Many riders leave with a completely new understanding of how small changes in themselves can create significant improvements in their horse.
One of Sam's guiding philosophies is:
"A horse can only answer the question you ask. The real question is whether what you're thinking is the same as what your body is communicating. Our role is to bring those two into alignment, so our horse receives one clear, consistent message."
Believing that horses are among our greatest teachers, Sam's thoughtful and practical coaching empowers riders with skills they can apply immediately, strengthening both performance and the partnership they share with their horse.
Kathryn Christieson
With a passion for helping horses move more comfortably and perform at their best, Kathryn Christieson has become one of Australia’s leading voices in modern hoof care education.
Holding a Bachelor of Animal & Veterinary Bioscience, a Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy and advanced farriery training in Australia and the United States, Kathryn combines science, practical experience and continual learning to support horses across a broad range of disciplines—from performance athletes to complex rehabilitation cases. Her work includes trimming, therapeutic and performance shoeing, composite and glue-on applications, boot fitting, and collaborative rehabilitation alongside veterinarians, bodyworkers and trainers.
What sets Kathryn apart is her unwavering belief that healthy feet cannot be separated from the rest of the horse. Rather than focusing on the hoof in isolation, she explores the relationship between hoof health, posture, movement, biomechanics, environment, nutrition, stress and overall wellbeing, encouraging owners to see the horse as an interconnected whole.
A passionate educator, Kathryn is dedicated to making hoof care accessible and practical for every horse owner. She teaches workshops and online courses throughout Australia and is the co-host of the Canter Therapy Podcast, where she shares conversations with leading equine professionals, exploring the many factors that influence horse health, movement, behaviour and performance. Through both her teaching and podcast, Kathryn is helping bridge the gap between research, practical application and everyday horsemanship.
At the heart of Kathryn’s work is a genuine desire to empower people with knowledge. She believes informed owners make better decisions for their horses, and one of her greatest joys is seeing people discover they are capable of understanding and helping their horses far more than they ever imagined.
Driven by curiosity, collaboration and a commitment to lifelong learning, Kathryn continues to inspire horse owners to look beyond the hoof and appreciate the profound connection between movement, comfort and the whole horse
Jane Falkner
Founder & Director – Equine Assisted Therapy Australia
Jane Faulkner’s professional journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity about people, the body, the nervous system and the way our experiences influence how we feel, respond and connect.
Beginning her career in nursing, Jane worked both in Australia and overseas before her path led her into psychotherapy and a deeper exploration of the connection between our physical, emotional and relational worlds.
Jane holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master’s in Gestalt Psychotherapy, along with further qualifications in Somatic Experiencing, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Initiatic Art Therapy. Her interest in the connection between body and mind also led her to become a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher.
Horses have become an important part of Jane’s work and her exploration of connection, awareness and relationship. She is a Certified Riding Instructor and Trail Guide, bringing practical equine experience together with her extensive therapeutic background.
Through her work with horses, Jane explores their remarkable sensitivity and ability to respond to subtle changes in the people around them. Their presence creates opportunities to recognise patterns, explore boundaries and communication, and develop a greater awareness of ourselves and the way we relate to others.
In 2015, Jane founded Equine Assisted Therapy Australia, bringing together her experience in psychotherapy, body-based approaches and working alongside horses. Through EATA, Jane also trains and supports practitioners wanting to develop their skills and understanding in equine-assisted therapy.
Jane is a Clinical Member of PACFA, a Level 3 Member of the Australian Counselling Association, and holds professional memberships with Gestalt Australia and New Zealand, Animal Therapies Limited and the Australian Iyengar Yoga Association.
Jane’s work brings together an extraordinary breadth of experience, nursing, psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, yoga, riding and equine-assisted therapy. At the heart of it is an understanding that connection goes far beyond words, and that horses can invite us to become more present, more aware and more attuned to what is happening within ourselves and in relationship with those around us.
View Our Past Presenters & Viedos