Words and photos by Amy Strapp

“Its like I get into a roller coaster, and sit there while it goes up and down and upside down and sometimes I get thrown out and hit my head, but I crawl back in again and the moment I am back in , it just keeps and going again……all of this, so I can find things out and then I write about the things I find out so you can find them out from me. All the bruises, all the wounds, all the bumps on the head, all the scars, just so I can take that and write all these things, and sometimes I say ‘God I don’t want to be on this roller coaster anymore.’ But when I think about it, if im not right here, then where the hell would I be? On the sidewalk? I wasn’t born to stand on the sidewalk, I was born to fly around crazy in the sky.”

C. JoyBell C.

Do you remember the last time you were on a roller coaster? First the ride starts slowly and you feel safe and enjoy the new experience of just being there. With a bit of oil and grunt it then starts to climb upward slowly, climbing, climbing, then it stops, it stops momentarily at a really high point and you are hanging there, half on and half off the edge in total anticipation of what is to come next, you look down at the drop below with a mix of fear and joyful anticipation and excitement, a combination that when combined leave you with the most spectacular adrenaline rush before the ride has even really begun…. I am there now, my roller coaster has spun me all over the place, spat me out a few times, left me bruised and wounded as well as high on life (teaching me more then I can put in writing), it has then quietly let me settle for the past month and is now rocking slowly, half on and half off the edge for what is to be the next great surge of energy in the next phase of my adventure! 

“Thinking here goes nothing, could be the start of everything"

Drew Wagner

So back a step to this month, which has generously served up new adventures, new places, new friends and new experiences as well as a few distant memories returned, such as vegemite, meat pies, kangaroos, old windmills, red dirt, Bundaberg rum , Australian thunder storms and the good old Aussie accent! 

I left Europe half way through May, grateful for all the amazing experiences, lessons and truly amazing friends I made in my last 6 years there to start this next step along my journey.  

After a rather emotional ‘see you later’ (not goodbye) with close friend and Ozzie on departure day! I made it through the currently very heavy security at Brussels airport and was on my way to Australia!

First stop Perth! 

Having never been to WA before this was to be an adventure in itself but add to that the fact I am feeling like a tourist in my own country it became a particularly fun adventure!

The plan was to spend my month completing my teaching qualifications while also taking a look at the studs in the area to see if we could find some hidden gems for the stable back home in Victoria.

I was greeted at the airport in Perth by Ben & Nell from Benell farm in Gidgegannup WA. (Yay for Australian sounding towns!)

Nell is a coach educator and has helped guide and teach me all I need to know for my NCAS teaching qualifications.

Its hard now to think that these two were strangers to me 3 and a half weeks ago, they feel like the closest of friends now! I have loved staying with them and getting to know them this past month and cant thank them enough for their hospitality and friendship!

A quick reflection of this month would include: a lot of teaching, writing lesson plans, first aid study, riding (of course), coaching at shows, meeting all the fun people around horses in the area a ‘bogan bingo’ fundraising event for WA showjumping and most recently a visit to local studs.

Its great to return to Australia to find the breeding programs are getting stronger and stronger down here.

Well I am nearing the end of my stay here now, I will be heading to Melbourne at the end of the week to at last see family and friends who I have not seen for such a long time!

I can’t wait to get the stable up and running again in Beaconsfield, producing flash young horses for Australia!

I’m also really looking forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained in Europe with riders of all levels here in Australia who wish to learn, so don’t be hesitant to make contact with me if you are keen.

As if this was not all enough excitement I love the fact that I will be benefiting myself from being able to once again ride under Mums keen eye, where I can continue training and developing my own riding further for the future. 

So… To always riding the roller coaster at its highest of highs and lowest of lows with a genuine love for life and all the experiences it delivers. I am excited and ready to hit the ground running in Melbourne!

“Life is spectacular. Forget the dark things. Take a drink and let time wash them away to where ever time washes away to.”

Tim Tharp

Till next month,

Amy xo

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