16/08/2025
* HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR VERY SPECIAL AMBASSADOR BRUMBY, KOSZI! *
There was a time, not that long ago, where the thought of taking my horses to a fundraising event with a crowd of 2,360 in the city would've remained nothing more than a pipe dream. For one reason alone.
I was unable to load my first horses, Koszi, Saxon and Kite, onto the float.
For the best part of three painfully frustrating years, the Golden Oldie horse float I'd rushed out and bought just weeks after Koszi joined me as a tiny two year old, moved forlornly from the barn out onto the driveway for practice sessions, then - empty and lonely - back into the barn again.
Despite regular and committed tutoring with instructors, and months worth of cumulative hours of trying-my-heart-out practice, it was all to no avail.
I tried one last time with a third instructor (our chance introduction will always be a gift delivered to me from the Universe) before getting to the point of asking "Amie, does there come a time where one accepts defeat and has to sell their float?"
The thought of never taking my horses off the property was an incredibly sad one for the grand visions I had of us becoming a multi-horse bitless trail riding team (back then c.2020 bridleless riding hadn't made it into my zone of awareness). And of very real concern, removing my own power to evacuate the horses ahead of a catastrophic fire day.
Those who've been following our journey from the start know only too well that Walking with Horses in Nature™ simply wouldn't exist without that third instructor, who became my esteemed mentor - the first able to impart her vast knowledge and talent in a way that (crucially) made my heart and brain sync.. then my horse and I synced... and this was the beginning of the end of the lonely days of rejection for the float!
And so today, as I celebrate my beloved "Brumbini" turning 9 - absolutely thriving along with his five mates and myself - this is also a celebration of our achievement together last Friday, with the generous support of our virtual community, at the fundraiser. Tipping $1,692 into a pot of $519,000 for Hutt St Centre to continue providing care and support to Adelaide's people facing homelessness.
A shout out to my incredibly trusting and adaptive team members, willing and able to go with the flow on the day - Elizabeth, Hayley, Jenny and Ann-Maree. I was blessed to meet each of you as guests and am so proud to see you representing Walk Sublime. Thank you for donating your time and travel to this cause, in addition to your individual donations. Koszi, Torquey and I literally couldn't have done this without you.
And to my mentor Amie at Power Equestrian - I know where I've come from, thank you for answering my question with a firm “No”. I aspire to make you proud. The world is already a better place because of your ripple effect, and the horses and I are only just scratching the surface.
-Mel McLaren, Founder & Guide
The New England Brumby Sanctuary
