Stephanie Gillespie

About Stephanie

I have been an instructor for 30 years teaching a huge range of horses and riders to help them achieve better communication, more harmony and improving horses physical condition and soundness.

Quite a few of my clients are successfully competing and enjoying older horses who have come into training later in life. My training method is strategic, dare I say methodical, and easy to understand and implement. Quite a few of my clients were new to dressage and thoroughly enjoy the training process that I encourage them to follow. I am also an advocate for cross training wherever possible.

Personally, I have had a number of stints in Germany riding at various barns, including an intensive course to achieve the exclusive German FN qualification “Reitabzeichen 1Dr”. So that makes me the first Australian, through the Brandenburg State Stud Rider Licensing Program, to get the top qualification of RA1.

What I love most is training, and have been training horses for as long as I can remember. I have been really blessed throughout my riding life to come into contact with some amazing rider trainers, horse trainers and all round horse people who were masters at getting a horse just right. They have inspired me throughout my life in an endeavour to develop, train and ride horses who look just right, are beautifully conditioned, supple, and happy. Happy horse, happy rider!

Being a professional rider, I have over a long period of time established my own way of managing my horses. I don’t ride perfect horses, but I do aspire to a perfect way of going - that moment when you go aaahhh that feels so amazing!!

About the Training

All Dusk training programs are here to help you improve your horse, your riding, and get more joy from your riding experience, let your journey begin!

I constantly chase that perfect feeling of thoroughness….don’t you 😊.  That feeling when it all just works….it feels just so.  And what I have realised in my own training, and training of other riders, is that I use set exercises to help to achieve that feeling.

So what is Dusk all about?  I don’t ride perfect horses, but I am always determined to help them be the best version of themselves. Well, I want to help you develop your own horse into its best version, realise your riding potential...

I have developed a systematic and strategic Training Program over a number of weeks to help your horses become physically and mentally the best they can be.  Happy, healthy athletes, who love to be ridden and enjoy your company. 

My promise is to provide a systematic, structured online Training Program that is built to improve both the horse and rider. It considers both the physical and mental qualities of both the horse and the rider. Our  goals are improvement in accuracy and competence of the rider, and suppleness and strength of the horse.

There is nothing new here – just good old fashioned basics that we all need to keep referring back to. The beauty of this program is the structured, easy to follow program which will guide you on your journey.

Whether you are an established competition rider, bringing yourself or your horse back into work, or just want to improve your or your horse’s education, we can help you do that.