By Amy Strapp

Photos supplied by Amy Strapp 

"Life is a journey and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever." Peter Hagerty

It is happening, flights are booked and I am flying to Australia in 6 short weeks!

Those who have followed my journey so far will know I left for Europe, originally for a holiday a little over 6 years ago and then could not bring myself to come home! Europe is amazing, the horse world is Amazing and the friends I have made and people I have met along this part of my journey, (without wanting to be overly sentimental.) they mean so much to me, I have grown up a lot in the last 6 years, I have grown, changed and learnt so much!

"It's very important to surround yourself with people you can learn from." Reba McEntire

Most people when they come over here to train in Europe, whether for horses or business or travel, they will return regularly to see family and friends…. Not me, I had to return for 4 days in my first year away to organize my British passport, it has then been 5 years since I have seen Australia, or my sister or Australian friends! (Mum and Peter have come to visit me a few times J )

My accent is long long gone and I am wondering what it will be like to understand the people chatting around me in busy places again. Hearing friends and family talk to me in an Australian accent is pretty cool, (FYI our accent is actually awesome)

Those who have asked me in the past 6 years when I am coming home will know my standard answer was ‘no idea, probably never’. Well now it is in 6 weeks!!!! 

So what prompted this change in plans….

Certainly there has been no change to my goals, I still know what I want to do with my life without a shadow of a doubt, I am a rider. I am at home when I am in the stables or saddle, and still have big ambitions to ride at the top of the sport in Europe … What is changing and evolving as I grow and learn is my method of how to get there…

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

I have learnt so much in the past 6 years, not only about myself, the person I am and the person I want to be but also of course I have grown as a horse person and rider. I have had the opportunity to train and work for some of the most amazing people in showjumping and even dressage world wide, I had the opportunity to represent Australia as an individual at international level and I managed to earn every one of those jobs and rides off my own hard work because as you know I arrived in my first job in Europe with pocket change and certainly no horses.

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” Vincent Van Gogh

I am beyond grateful for every trainer and owner I met along the way who believes in me and gave me opportunities and experiences of a lifetime here., every friend I met along the way and person who helped me grow. I have made some amazing connections over the past 6 years and I want you all to know what your time, support and friendship mean to me.

However here in Europe , without major finances behind me I will only continue to work on a month to month wage  producing horses for other people. It is time now to get busy producing some that I can keep for the top level for myself! Its time to take that next step in my journey!

So upon realizing this , the question then was , how do I change my circumstances so they allow me to take the next step toward my goals.

Back in Australia I have my Mum (Michelle Strapp), still one of the greatest trainers and producers of horses I have ever worked with and I know there is still so much I can learn riding with her!. 

Then also; I have been incredibly moved to discover how many wonderful  friends believe in me and my ambitions back in Australia, especially people who believe in what my mother and I can do for the sport if we combine efforts. 

“As soon as anyone starts telling you to be ‘realistic’, cross that person off your invitation list!”  John Eliot

So It is with great excitement I say I am coming home, I wont say I am leaving Europe, because I am not completely and don’t think I ever could, but I am coming home and creating my base in Australia, to work along side Mum in Beaconfield, Victoria , to combine our experiences and knowledge to produce, over the coming years , what we intend to be world class horses, horses that we can later take back to Europe to represent Australia.

We will be producing horses for the highest level of the sport as well as training dedicated young riders who want to pursue their dreams. Building a stable together in Australia, a stable that represents everything I have learnt that the top of this sport can be. 

So my next blog will be about the young horses we source from Europe and Australia to make the beginning of our team in Australia and how great it is to be home with family again J

To Europe and the family of friends I have made over the years here, you are amazing and it is not good bye!! Only see you all again soon J

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Amy & Ozzie xo