I was born in Cyprus as my father was in the British Navy.
We moved back to the UK when I was 8 months old. I started riding ponies before I could walk because that is what you do when you're in England.
We immigrated to Australia when I was 8 years old and I continued riding and then competing in eventing (horse trials).
I moved around a bit and I went to eight different schools. Being English and interested in horses made me a target for being bullied at school which I found very difficult. I was the eldest and I don't think my parents were truly aware of just how difficult it was for me.
I became a registered nurse after school, training at Bethesda (now the Epworth), then Warrnambool and Frankston Hospitals. I worked in all health departments, especially the operating theatre and working as a volunteer for Hospice Care and with disability care on the Mornington Peninsula.
In 1984 I was invited to compete in an Australian team in Germany. Following the competition (which we won!) I travelled around Europe for six months.
Upon my return, I declared to my parents that I was leaving nursing to study Horse Management full time for two years at Glenorminston Ag College. Needless to say, they were horrified!
I am a member of Animal Therapies Ltd