Australian Brumby Challenge 2024

110 days ago, Ruby arrived here in Coopers Shoot, and our journey in the 2024 Australian Brumby Challenge began.

When fear is never implemented, when recognition is consistent, when end-goals are laid by the wayside, communication is two-way and connection is the sole focus, then through their own discernment, a horse will learn to trust a human.

The first thing I taught Ruby was that she has a voice.

This is my definition of Liberty.

Watching this video, you may think she had no qualms with me or my presence, but what isn't obvious here are the thousands of tiny signs, the body language, energy shifts, movements, that were communicated and acknowledged.

Through this form of Liberty, she could communicate with me, and I to her, and we would respond to each other in turn. So through her initial fear, distrust, confusion and hesitation, I gave her the answers she needed to build trust and allow her to connect.

Ruby and I still have a couple of weeks before we head down to Equitana Melbourne, and we have a whole lot to work on during that time, but I am so proud of her and couldn't help but make a video of snippets of her training so far, overlayed by Ben Atkinson's perfectly said speech from his time at the Journey On Podcast Summit. Words felt within my heart that could not possibly have be conveyed any better.

Ben Atkinson has been an infinite source of inspiration to me, proving that absolutely anything is possible through his mind-boggling Liberty performances.

Please enjoy this video of VBA Ruby, 110 days from wild.