The Mounting Block - Riding, Life, and Laughs, Because We're Over 40 and Still Getting a Leg Over!

In Episode 10 of The Mounting Block , Marissa and Oriel are joined by the incredible Lisa Willey — an expert in free rein horsemanship, mounted archery, and (yes!) even a stunt rider for films. From trusting a horse with no reins to galloping bareback with a bow and arrow in hand, Lisa shares her unique journey and the deep connection she builds with horses through intuition and freedom. They dive...

In this deeply personal episode of The Mounting Block , Marissa opens up about her journey through postnatal depression — the moments she didn’t see coming, the mental weight she carried, and the strength it took to ask for help. Joined by Oriel, the two friends dive into the reality so many women face after childbirth, breaking down stigma with honesty, empathy, and the power of shared experience...

In Episode 8 of The Mounting Block , Oriel and Marissa sit down with Lisa Coffey, the inspiring founder of Racing Hearts. Lisa shares her incredible journey of overcoming adversity, from her roots in Ireland, where she began exercising racehorses, to her move to Australia, where she transitioned from working in the racing industry to creating a charity that helps both people and horses. Racing Hea...

In this special episode, Oriel and Marissa introduce the woman behind their riding journey — their no-nonsense, horse-whispering, secretly-soft-hearted coach, Tracey. The one they both want to impress, even when their legs are jelly and their brains are shouting "get off!" Tracey joins the chat to share her powerful story: from the resilience it took to rebuild after a devastating fall from a hors...

In this two-part episode of The Mounting Block , Oriel and Marissa reflect on how far they’ve come since dusting off the saddle and climbing back on the horse. From shaky starts to moments of triumph (and a few wobbles in between), they open up about overcoming fear, building confidence, and why it’s never too late to try something new. Then, they’re joined by longtime personal trainer Quentin Joh...

In this episode of The Mounting Block , Oriel and Marissa share some exciting news that’s been brewing behind the scenes! They also dive into the highs and lows of parenting children with ADHD—navigating big emotions, daily challenges, and the constant mental load. But it’s not all serious talk—these two still manage to find joy and courage in the saddle, tackling jumps (both literal and emotional...

In this episode of The Mounting Block , Oriel and Marissa explore the emotions we carry into the arena—and how those feelings often reflect what’s going on in the rest of our lives. Whether it’s excitement, overwhelm, or just the mental load of the week, they chat about how riding can be both grounding and revealing. Oriel and Marissa also dive into the topic of friendship—how it shifts through di...

In this episode of The Mounting Block , Marissa and Oriel dive into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes humbling experience of falling—off horses and in life. Whether it’s a surprise dismount in the arena or a personal setback that knocks the wind out of you, these two know a thing or two about landing flat and finding the strength (and humour) to get back up. They share real stories of self-doubt...

Thumbs, trots, and the chaos of rushing woman syndrome—this week on The Mounting Block , Oriel and Marissa share laughs from their latest riding lesson and get real about the pressure of always doing it all. From carving out time for calm to defending their coffee and wine—it's honest, funny, and totally relatable.

In the debut episode of The Mounting Block , Oriel and Marissa introduce themselves as busy mums, juggling family, work, and life. Over a few glasses of wine, they had the idea to rediscover their childhood passion for horse riding. They talk about the excitement, nerves, and challenges of taking on a new adventure in their 40s, and the importance of doing something just for themselves. If you’ve...