A combination of seminars, clinics and demonstrations will feature as part of Equifest’s educational lineup.
Our experts will cover a wide range of topics and disciplines relating to horse care and riding. While opening doors to new disciplines in a fun and interactive way, regardless of discipline or ability. Check out our educator list below. We will be adding new people all the time.
Warwick Schiller
USA / AUS
Horsemanship & Liberty
A lifelong equestrian of varying disciplines, Warwick Schiller moved from his home country of Australia in his 20s to the United States in order to pursue his dream of training horses. He focused his competitive efforts on reining, eventually becoming an NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) Reserve World Champion and also representing Australia at the 2010 & 2018 World Equestrian Games. His unique ability to convey his knowledge to others became apparent when he successfully went on to coach individuals who garnered coveted reining titles such as NRHA World Champions, NRHA Rookie of the Year, Australian Champions, U.S. Champions and a fellow WEG team member. Following a transformational encounter with a horse that rewired his understanding of training and life, Warwick now focuses on connection, trust, energy, and nervous‑system awareness in both horse and human.
Key learnings from Warwick's clinics:
Understand how connection shapes effective communication with your horse.
Nervous‑system awareness in both horse and human.
Dan Steers
AUS
Horsemanship & Liberty
Dan is an accomplished horseman who makes up one-half of Double Dan's horsemanship. As a highly skilled horseman, Dan is sought after for his ability to entertain and thrill audiences of horsey and non-horsey people alike.
Dan's inspiring philosophy is to create well-rounded horses that can excel in any discipline or job, and to foster the perfect equine relationship. By sharing the principles of horsemanship, Dan aims to empower his audience to communicate better with their horses, understand their reactions, and master new manoeuvres.
Key learnings from Dan's clinics:
Problem-Solving
Horsemanship
Joe Gardiner
AUS
Trick Riding
Joe Gardiner's career with horses is anything but ordinary. From the glittering lights of the Australian Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast to the awe-inspiring global stage of Cavalia, Joe has spent years performing in world-class equine productions across China, America, and Europe.
Now based on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, Joe balances life between his professional horse training business and his passion for entertainment through Laughing Stock Productions. With a flair for the dramatic and a deep connection with horses, Joe brings education and fun together in a way that's unforgettable.
Key learnings from Joe's clinics:
Come and watch as he uncovers the basics of trick riding for both horse and rider
Kelly Wilson
Horsemanship & Author
Number One Bestselling author, award-winning photographer, reality television star, wild horse tamer, motivational speaker, equestrian, and adventurer – Kelly Wilson is a woman whose passion permeates into everything she does. Back in 2012, when her journey with the Kaimanawas began, Kelly had no idea where her affinity for wild horses would take her. Now, alongside a list of bestselling books and award-winning photographs of wild horses, Kelly is the only trainer in the world to have achieved top six finishes in the Extreme Mustang Makeover, Australian Brumby Challenge and Kaimanawa Stallion Challenges.
In recent years, she has continued to advocate for wild horses on a global scale, taming almost 100 wild horses, and from 2018 to 2020 she spent several months living out with wild horses in Canada, America, Australia, Portugal and New Zealand to observe herd behaviour for her bestselling book Wild Horses of the World.
Kelly will join Hannah Catalino (USA) and together they will showcase the liberty horsemanship methods they use when training wild Kaimanawa and Mustang horses. This two-day clinic will feature two Kaimanawa horses, as Kelly and Hannah train them around a challenging obstacle course at liberty.
Key learnings from Kelly's clinics:
Advanced liberty trick training with Kelly Wilson and Hannah Catalino
Vicki Wilson
Rehabilitation, Jumping & Horsemanship
In Vicki's world, there is no such thing as a problem or naughty horse, Just a horse that has a problem- painful symptoms that are the hidden cause of that unwanted behaviour.
Every horse needs to be treated like an athlete, both physically and mentally. We need to give them the tools for them to succeed in life. In these clinics, we will look at a couple of problems and sore horses and walk through issues in their body and how we would go about helping the horse going forward.
Key learnings to take away from Vicki's Clinics:
How to identify I have a sore horse and the road to recovery
Riding with feel & lightness
Amanda Wilson
Showjumping & Mindset
Amanda is one of New Zealand’s leading coaches and showjumpers, having competed to World Cup level. She has a passion for starting and producing young horses up the levels and has earned a reputation for her keen eye for a good horse and her gentle yet effective approach to developing horses for top-level competition.
Sharing her in-depth knowledge on the mechanisms of rider position, finding the correct balance in the horse, how to produce happy and sound horses, Amanda will help with rider confidence and more. For the last five years, Amanda has been studying human trauma, which she has tied strongly to her work with horses and largely influences how she trains today.
Key learnings to take away from Amanda's Clinics:
- Human trauma - steps to understand yourself a little better and how to understand how your horses can make all the difference to reaching success
- The ability to read the horse's body language and gauge how they are feeling and what they need
Ian Shaw
Horsemanship
Ian has a degree in Agricultural Science, a Diploma in Education and has held lecturing positions in Tertiary institutions. Ian is a qualified Horse Safety Australia Instructor. In 2010, he developed a strong interest in the horse/human connection and began to explore the idea of horses as sentient being with feelings and emotions and it profoundly changed the way he looked at the way people worked with horses. His core belief is that a horse must feel safe in its environment before learning can begin and that a horse’s emotional state is reflected in its behaviour.
A chance meeting with a member of Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria resulted in Ian being asked to work with some of their troubled horses and he now deliver clinics for the organisation across the state. Privately he works to upskill and educate those aspiring to have a connection and relationship with their horses through appropriate communication and teaching methodologies.
Key learnings from Ian's clinics:
Bridging Worlds: Embracing, Science, Empathy and Experience
It's more about Connection than Perfection
Lisa Earley
Western and Horsemanship
Lisa Earley's knowledge of Western saddlery and Horsemanship gives her a unique edge in helping humans and their horses. Her journey has led her to ride with international clinicians and spend time in the USA. Here, she studied Rawhide braiding, Leatherwork, and the California bridlehorse tradition while based at Martin Blacks Ranch.
She also spent four summers apprenticing under Russell Higgins, where she practised the finer points of Colt Starting and Horsemanship. Over the years, Lisa has competed in the Kaimanawa Stallion Challenge, Equifest Future Stars, Rodeo, Ranch Riding and Reining.
Throughout her journey, Lisa recognised a need for quality Western saddles, Hackamores (Bosals), and correct information on their fit, function, and use. Her experience in many Western disciplines has given her the ability to not only create great gear but also teach people how it should fit and be used, all while creating a willing, confident horse.
Key learnings from Lisa's clinics:
Lisa is excited to help people better understand the Hacakmore/Bosal and to shed some light on the fundamentals of Western Saddle Fit.
Linda Brown
Dressage & Rider Biomechanics
Linda is an accredited Ride with Your Mind (RWYM) and ESNZ Performance Coach. She has attended numerous Andrew and Manuela McLean clinics and strongly follows their methodology. Linda was a List 2 Dressage Judge and the Area Delegate to Dressage NZ for the Bay of Plenty area for 20 years. She has a sound understanding of dressage from the perspective of a rider, trainer, judge, and delegate.
Linda has an adult teaching diploma, a biomechanics coach accreditation from Mary Wanless UK, a certificate in e-learning design and facilitation with the Open Polytechnic, and a diploma in journalism. Linda's coaching is both ethical and compassionate. She teaches riders to adopt positions that enable their horses to move freely rather than restricting their movement. As a result, most riders see their horses becoming happier and experience an increase in movement by 10% to 15%.
Key learnings to take away from Linda's sessions:
Why balance matters and how it affects the way your horse moves and his mental wellbeing attitude
Helen Robartes
Equine Health
Helen has been passionate about horses her entire life. From the moment she could ride, she knew her future would involve helping horses thrive. That passion led her to a fulfilling career in Equine Physiotherapy, where her core purpose is to help horses live their best, most comfortable lives.
With years of hands-on experience, Helen supports both horse and rider by identifying areas of pain, restriction, or imbalance—often uncovering issues that may not be immediately visible but deeply affect performance and well-being. Ever wondered: Does your horse have a headache? How would you know—and more importantly—what can you do about it? Helen will walk you through surprising insights like these, arming you with tools to support your horse’s health beyond saddle time.
Key learnings to take away from Helen's sessions:
Does your horse have a headache? How would you know and what can you do about it?
Ellie Harrison
Horsemanship & Liberty
Ellie grew up in the UK with a love of horses inherited from her family and spent many many hours in the saddle. It was a move to New Zealand 17 years ago that began her horsemanship journey when she adopted a then fire-breathing red-headed Anglo-Arab and began to earn her trust and partnership. Today, Ellie has developed her own unique horsemanship style, combining many different approaches she has learnt from various instructors worldwide, with Liberty being her main passion.
Key learnings from Ellie's clinics:
Ellie will share her gentle approach to horsemanship with clinics focusing on Float Loading, Calming the Anxious Horse, and Liberty Outside of the Round Pen.
She will also showcase her Liberty skills in Saturday’s Festival of Fun Presented by NSC The English Saddle Company.
Russell Higgins
Horsemanship & Liberty
Russell and his partner Ruth own and run Brumby Farm Horsemanship Centre in Te Awamutu and offer online education to students worldwide. The connection Russell gains with his horses at Liberty is a by-product of his Foundation programme. Russell has been teaching horsemanship clinics and starting young horses professionally since 1999. To date, he has taught in 18 different countries and started young horses on four continents.
Key learnings from Russell's clinics:
Helping an anxious young horse: Russell is bringing his 3-year-old Lusitano, Riley, to Equifest for his first outing. He will share his preparations and perspective and how to help Riley cope.
Increasing your horse's safety rating: Russell will share with you things you can do to make him safer to handle on the ground and ride.
Foundation before Specialisation: What is Foundation, why is it important, and how does it help prepare you and your horse for specialisation?
Kirstin Kelly
Equestrian mindset coach for Dressage, Show-jumping and Eventing
After working through the pony club system, competing at champs and progressing to horse trials, Kirsten studied in the UK achieving her British Horse Society Intermediate Instructors certificate which enabled her to coach riders to fund her own three-day eventing dreams and lead to her having a long, successful career representing NewZealand and producing a string of fantastic advanced horses. Recently Kirstin has developed her coaching platform helping mentor riders from around the world. Kirstin’s workshops help riders find-tune the competition mind to be focused, confident, resilient and optimistic.
Key learnings from Kirstin’s clinics:
- The correct, balanced, and secure position ensuring you safety, effectiveness and fabulous looks
- Building a positive mindset to have faith in yourself
- How to structure schooling sessions that build your horses skills, athleticism and desire to give you 100%
Chloe Phillips - Harris
Eventing, Horsemanship & Equine Health/ Minature horses
Chloe Phillips-Harris has had the horse bug for as long as she can remember. These days, her career is long and diverse. She's competed at 4* eventing and produced horses to high levels in showjumping and dressage. Her understanding of horse behaviour and training has allowed her to train hundreds of wild horses, consistently get the best out of performance horses, and train some record-breaking minis.
She's also competed in the world's toughest horse race, led some of the most extreme expeditions on earth and completed 9000km in the saddle riding horses, yaks, camels and reindeer in Mongolia. Her training methods focus deeply on understanding horse behaviour and building foundations and partnerships to take you from base level to elite level riding and competing. She is all about creating happy horses and confident riders.
Key learnings to take away from Chloe’s clinics:
Learn skills to help you have fun, and create a fearless cross country partnership with your horse.
Want to understand horses better but not sure how it relates to sport come learn both.
They may be small but they are mighty! Come see just what these magical minis can do.
Glenn Campin
Barral Racing
Glenn has professionally trained horses and riders in New Zealand and the USA to National and World Championships for many years. His extensive background across all disciplines, e.g., show jumping, cross country, racing, cutting, reined cow horse, reining, and rodeo events, has built his unique system for barrel racing. The thrill of developing champion combinations in the excitement of barrel racing has evolved into his love of the sport.
Key learnings to take away from Glenn's sessions:
Come and see an exciting, fun equine activity. Demonstrating barrel racing techniques that produces champions.
Jody Hartstone
Dressage
Jody has long been known as an NZ representative Grand Prix Dressage rider and "problem solver" for all manner of issues with horses. Over the past two years, she has delved deeper into polyvagal theory, trauma, attachment, and nervous system regulation of horses and humans. These themes blend beautifully into her science-based approach to horse training, giving her a unique skill set.
She is also about to launch her new business, the Equine Catalyst, which aims to empower horse riders and trainers with the knowledge and skills to create a brighter future for horses. It is where sport, ethics, and science converge.
Key learnings to take away from Jody's sessions:
During her 'Dressage as a Somatic Experience' session at Equifest, Jody will introduce the concepts of Poly Vagal Theory and its connections to the Nervous System regulation of both horse and rider.
She will also demonstrate 'Good Old Fashioned Groundwork' session and how returning to a somewhat old-fashioned way of handling and lunging a horse can lead to better welfare outcomes for the horse.
Kelly Keenan
Reining
Growing up on a ranch in Central California, Kelly got her start riding jumpers before switching to reining, where she soon fell in love with the athletic yet technical nature of showing reining horses. A background of learning gentle and empathetic methods with childhood mentor Kim Yancey laid a perfect foundation for her to later strive for excellence within the physical and mental bounds of the horse.
Having worked successfully for large training barns in the USA including NRHA Million Dollar Rider Jordan Larson, while she was employed mainly for coaching and guiding Non Professional riders, she accrued several regional Derby and Futurity Championships with limited opportunities to show.
Since she immigrated to New Zealand, Kelly has enjoyed forming relationships with horses and riders nationwide, helping them to reach higher levels of understanding and quality of maneuvers with their horses.
Key learnings to take away from Kelly's sessions:
Producing performance horses with traditional principles and modern horsemanship methods
Michelle Logan
Equine Veterinarian
Michelle grew up in a non-horsey family in England and Wales but always loved horses. She worked in mixed practice in Wales before moving to NZ in 2003 and worked as a vet in Gisborne and the East Coast. "I even bought my first horse from an East Coast auction," says Michelle. Following several opportunities to advance as an equine veterinarian, the result was further qualifications in equine surgery and medicine and finishing with becoming a Registered Specialist in Equine Medicine.
Michelle works remotely for the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) and runs Logan Equine Horse First Aid Courses. Her course aims to give some confidence and knowledge to reduce panic in stressful situations to help provide the best outcome for the horse.
Key learnings to take away from Michelle's sessions:
Equine First Aid Essentials-what you need to know! An interactive overview of useful horse first aid.
Preparing for travel & keep your horse healthy on the road covers preparing horse & tips for travel.
Colic- What is it? How will I know if my horse has colic? What causes it? Can I prevent it?
Julie Malcolm
Rider Biomechanics & Dressage
Julie of Ridewell Trainwell is a dressage coach and judge passionate about working with riders to help them overcome imbalances, fear, asymmetry, and the effects of injury or disability and be a better load for the horse to carry. Julie's interest in dressage was ignited by watching Reiner Klimke and Ahlerich at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Still, she didn't get involved in the sport until 1993, when she broke her pelvis and back in a riding accident.
Her training philosophy has been influenced by Equitation science and learning theory for horses and riders, as well as classical dressage and biomechanics. Her teaching style was influenced by Mary Wanless's book Ride with Your Mind Essentials when she found a lot of what Mary was saying resonated with her. After training with Mary in the UK, Julie has been a regular visitor to ride and train at Valencia Classical Dressage Training Academy in Portugal. She is also trained in and has used the Franklin Balls and Franklin Method techniques since 2016 and is now a certified Franklin Method/Train Your Seat coach.
Key learnings to take away from Julie's sessions:
Julie enjoys helping riders become more aware, secure, balanced, and in sync with their horses while advocating for the horse.
Improve your ride and be a better load for your horse - using on and off-horse techniques to help all riders.
Lynley Schollum
Plaiting, Clipping & Turn Out
With 30 years of experience clipping and turning out horses to a high standard, the Clip Clop Shoppe's Lynley is passionate about making your horse or pony show-ready in all disciplines. Based in Hamilton, Lynley does mane and tail tidying and dying, plaiting - sewn or banded, sharks’ teeth and a range of quarter marks and show day makeup, along with the start of the season and end of winter makeovers. Lynley will share different plaiting techniques, turnout tips and advice for preparing a show-ready horse.
Key learnings to take away from Lynley's seminars:
Plaiting and turnout tips
Gavin Welsh
Farrier
A former dutyman in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Gavin studied the trade of farriery at the Army School of Farriery, part of the UK Defence Animal Centre, United Kingdom. Gavin’s sessions will take an in-depth look at some aspects of farriery and hoof management that should prove interesting, useful, and entertaining. Gavin will cover subjects such as shoeing for performance, laminitis, traditional and modern materials, the topical and nutritional building blocks of great feet etc.
Key learnings to take away from Gavin's seminars:
Protecting the welfare of your horse & farrier and the pros & cons of modern farriery techniques
Lucy Scott
Heath and Behaviour
With a lifelong love for horses and a professional foundation in veterinary medicine, Lucy Scott brings a unique blend of science, empathy, and practical experience to the equine world. Growing up in the saddle, Lucy’s passion for animal wellbeing led her to become a veterinarian—and in 2021, she further specialised with postgraduate qualifications in Veterinary Behaviour. She’s now studying towards a Masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour, deepening her expertise in the emotional and psychological health of animals.
Lucy provides veterinary behaviour consultations to horse, dog, and cat owners across New Zealand, helping animals live happier, less stressful lives through evidence-based approaches that prioritise welfare.
Key learnings to take away from Lucy's clinics:
Spot subtle signs of pain using the 24 Behaviours of the Ridden Horse in Pain checklist.
Teach your horse to calmly accept vet handling using low-stress, positive training techniques.
Desensitise horse to things they fear, using science based, systematic techniques that build trust.
Use WE obstacles to build calm, focus, and trust with positive, evidence-based methods.
Tori Jeffress
Classical Dressage
Raised on her family's sheep and cropping property in central-west NSW, Tori Jeffress discovered early on that horses would define her life—and she’s never looked back. By 18 she immersed herself in eventing, then transitioned to classical dressage after meeting Rocco—a partnership that would shape her training philosophy.
Tori teaches and trains according to classical dressage principles, with a strong focus on spinal alignment, the function of the body beneath the surface of what we can see and how we as riders are effecting the functioning of the horse biomechically when we work them. Understanding basic anatomy allows us as riders and horse people to be able to promote correct muscle development, the stronger the structural foundation the more physically able, balanced, therefore willing to perform is the horse.
Key learnings to take away from Tori's clinics:
In-hand or ridden work
Rehabilitation after injury
Rehabilitation of behavioural issues
Dates & Location
17 - 19 October 2025
Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Taupō