The Equestrian's Inner Life

What do horses spend a lifetime trying to teach us? For Glen Gilmore, horses have been a constant companion throughout life. From growing up in a multi-generational horse family on Queensland's Darling Downs to captaining the Australian Polo Team and competing on the international stage, horses have shaped not only his career, but also the person he has become. Yet beyond the speed, strategy and p...

What does it truly mean to create a lifestyle you love? For more than 29 years, Catriona Rowntree has been a familiar and respected personality on Australia’s iconic travel program Getaway, taking viewers across the globe and into the heart of diverse cultures, extraordinary destinations, and inspiring ways of living. But beyond the travel and television is a woman who has consciously shaped a lif...

Some riders spend a lifetime chasing better results. Others discover that the deeper journey lies in understanding the person behind the rider. This week on The Equestrian’s Inner Life, I sit down with New Zealand Grand Prix rider and coach Vanessa Way for a thoughtful conversation about the inner side of equestrian life. Over decades with horses, Vanessa has produced horses through every level to...

This week on The Equestrian’s Inner Life, I welcome back six-time Olympian Mary Hanna for a Part 2 conversation — one that moves beyond the arena and deeper into what truly shapes a rider over a lifetime. Together, we explore the influence of learning from many different trainers around the world… how each perspective leaves its mark upon us, and why perhaps no single teacher can give us everythin...

What if one of the most fundamental elements of our riding… has been quietly working against us? In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, I sit down with Jochen Schleese—a Certified Master Saddler, trained in Germany with Passier, and the youngest to achieve this distinction at the time—who has dedicated his life to understanding the true impact of saddle fit on both horse and rider. Throug...

In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, Pernille sits down with Mary Seefried — a woman whose life has become an integral part of equestrian sport, both in Australia and internationally. With more than four decades of service, Mary’s journey through the horse world is nothing short of extraordinary. Beginning as a rider in the 1970s, competing across dressage, eventing, and jumping — and e...

What if the horse is not responding to what we do… but to how we are? In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, I sit down with internationally recognised horseman, clinician, and author Chris Irwin — whose work invites us to look beyond technique and into the deeper conversation taking place between horse and human. Chris, author of Horses Don’t Lie, shares his understanding of the subtle y...

In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, Pernille sits down with equestrian mindset coach, author, and educator Tanja Mitton to explore the powerful relationship between the rider’s inner state and what unfolds with the horse. Originally from Germany, Tanja began her career working in professional show jumping stables across Europe before moving to Australia, where she combined her extensiv...

“The better we know and understand ourselves, the better we can connect with and understand our horses.” In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, Pernille sits down with Australian horseman Will Rogers, whose work beautifully reflects this simple yet profound philosophy — that horsemanship and self-development go hand in hand. Originally from New South Wales, Australia, Will followed his cu...

In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, I sit down with Rebekah Burton — an Australian event rider, lawyer, mother, and the quiet force behind one of Australia’s most successful equestrian partnerships. Rebekah is the wife of Olympic medallist Chris Burton, and together they have lived the full arc of the equestrian dream — moving from Australia to the UK in 2011, building their business a...

Chris Burton is an Australian Olympic silver medallist whose career in three-day eventing reflects not just elite performance, but a deep commitment to feel, responsibility, and continual learning. While his riding looks instinctive, Chris is clear: talent is never enough. Growth comes from awareness, discipline, and a willingness to refine. Every rider can improve. Every partnership can evolve. C...

Who would have thought that your own breath could be the key to becoming a better equestrian? In this powerful conversation with world-renowned breathwork master Dan Brulé, we explore how the simple act of conscious breathing can transform not just how you ride, but how you live. Dan has spent over five decades teaching breath to Olympic athletes, Navy SEALs, and top performers around the world —...

Few people have witnessed the evolution of modern dressage as closely and as thoughtfully as Leif Törnblad. A 5-star international judge, lifelong horseman, and a dressage rider himself, Leif brings to the sport a rare combination of clarity, empathy, and lived experience. In this conversation, we explore dressage from the inside out — through the eyes of someone who has sat at C for Olympic Games...

Melissa Galloway has become one of New Zealand’s brightest lights in international dressage — a rider whose determination and love for her horses have taken her from humble beginnings to the world stage. As New Zealand’s highest-ranked dressage competitor, Melissa’s journey reached a new height at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she and her beloved horse Joey (Windermere J’Obei W) set a nation...

For over three decades, Wendy Murdoch has been guiding riders toward a deeper, more embodied understanding of themselves — and their horses. As the creator of Ride Like A Natural, founder of the SURE FOOT® Equine Stability Program, and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Wendy’s work bridges the worlds of science, somatics, and horsemanship. In this conversation, Wendy shares how true mast...

A Reitmeister of rare calibre, Jan Bemelmans bridges the timeless wisdom of classical training with the demands of modern sport. From guiding national teams to Olympic medals to cultivating harmony between horse and rider, Jan’s lifelong devotion to the art of dressage has inspired generations. In this conversation, we explore the lessons behind his remarkable journey — the meaning of true connect...

Few lives could rival the adventure and artistry of Susie Whitcombe’s. A painter, a rider, a pilot, a race car driver, a wife and mother — and always, an equestrian at heart. Through every chapter of her life, horses have been her constant presence — grounding her, inspiring her, and reflecting the spirit that moves through her art. In this conversation, we explore how Susie’s love of horses has s...

From the green pastures of New Zealand to the great arenas of Europe, Bruce Goodin’s journey is one of quiet strength, enduring passion, and timeless horsemanship. A five-time Olympian now based in Sweden, Bruce has dedicated his life to the art of showjumping guided by countless horses, each one a teacher deepening his understanding of balance, respect, and the lifelong equestrian journey. Throug...

Few voices in the equestrian world carry such warmth and wisdom as Roger Fitzhardinge. Judge, teacher, writer, and storyteller, Roger has devoted his life to the horse and to the riders who seek connection with them. As he once wrote, “The horse must learn to trust the rider’s aids, to understand the language of balance and lightness, and the rider must learn patience enough to let that language g...

Few riders in the world embody quiet mastery the way Steffen Peters does. A six-time Olympian and one of the most respected dressage riders of our time, Steffen is celebrated not only for his extraordinary achievements in the arena, but for the artistry and soul he brings to every partnership. In this conversation, we explore the inner landscape of performance — how he balances the pressures of co...

Some riders are remembered for their results. Others—like Mary Hanna—are remembered for their legacy. With a career spanning more than three decades and six Olympic Games, Mary’s presence in the equestrian world is not just about achievement—it’s about devotion. Devotion to the horse, to the craft, and to the lifelong pursuit of harmony. In this opening conversation, Mary shares her journey of res...

Some riders take a traditional path into dressage. But Brett Parbery’s story begins somewhere different—in the dust and rhythm of the rodeo arena. That early foundation gave him more than just balance in the saddle—it gave him feel, timing, and a connection that runs deeper than technique. Today, Brett is known as one of Australia’s most accomplished dressage riders, with a reputation not only for...

There are riders who train horses, and then there are riders who dance with them. Rafael Soto is one of the great classical masters of our time—a man whose riding doesn’t just follow the principles, but brings them to life with lightness, presence, and soul. From the traditions of the Spanish Riding School in Jerez to the international stage, Rafael’s work has touched the hearts of riders and audi...

Welcome to The Equestrian’s Inner Life. This is a space for riders, coaches, artists, and thought leaders to explore the art and soul of horses — beyond technique, into presence, creativity, and the deeper connection we share with them.  Each episode unfolds through stories lived and shared, weaving together wisdom from extraordinary equestrians around the world.  Follow now to join the journey: h...