Affinity Equitation

14/05/2026

Autumn days with my beautiful herd…making sure I keep variety and adventure in my training creates happy, interested horses with sound minds. Balance is not just physical ☺️
Trust yourself, trust the horse, trust the process…

08/05/2026

03/05/2026

These girls! 💪❤️ what a super 3 days at the Falls Creek Empowered Horsemanship-The Vertical Path Clinic! Thank you so much Jess Kelly and Kirsty Simpson and all the participants, especially my regular students who are so enthusiastic and starting to really feel the benefits of the work for themselves and their horses. Despite lots of challenges in life you all “show up”, because it’s true that anything good and valuable is worth fighting for and working at….and doesn’t it feel good! 😎🙌 We are all exhausted, but satisfied and inspired to keep climbing! More pics and videos etc to come after a good sleep ☺️❤️

02/05/2026

Yesterdays lessons were so good and then today got even better! So proud of this group, I love this pic ❤️ Corners and lines, flexions and balance, the evolution of horses and riders on the vertical path!
Well done team 👍☺️
Falls Creek Empowered Horsemanship- The Vertical Path Clinic NSW

26/04/2026

Training with my 6 year old Azteca mare Adira.
Allowing free movement and encouraging uphill natural impulsion, and immediately holding the clear boundaries of calm responses when asked to stop and follow. We cannot give what we do not have. Learning to regulate our own energy and offer clear consistent direction is our responsibility so we give our horses something to trust. ❤️

19/03/2026

I’m back on board with lessons and clinics after a very busy few weeks at the Manuel Jorge de Oliveira clinics!
It was inspiring, profound and deeply educational.
My own journey with horses has been expansive and exploratory, shaped by years of working with a wide range of horses and learning from some exceptional horsemen and women. I value every piece of that puzzle — every tool in the toolbox.
But discovering Manuel Jorge de Oliveira and the Vertikal path felt like everything opened into a full panorama.
This incredible work, and the mindset behind it, truly resonated with me. I’ve felt the shift not only in myself, but in every horse I’ve been working with.
They change. They become softer, more balanced, more alive…and prouder!
That matters to me.
I love this, as empowering people and horses to expand to their fullest capacity, whatever that may be, is something that’s very important to me.

Many of you know my personal story and the fight I had to survive the horrific motor vehicle accident that nearly took my life and in which my spine was nearly severed along with multiple other life threatening injuries. I’m miraculously put back together with extensive “hardware” in my back and leg.
It took me years to recover, to walk again and to ride again.
I share this not as a sympathy vote or to excuse my weaknesses on a horse, but to share the reality of my experience and what is possible if you believe, fight, and never give up.
I understand rehabilitation first hand.
And I know that a person and a horse can function well, can still enjoy happiness, good movement, healing and fun even if there are restrictions and limitations physically or emotionally.
So yes, I can speak with authority on that topic and I’m passionate about helping horses and riders become a happy healthy team 🙂
Being approved as a Vertikal base Trainer by Manuel and Isabella in Australia allows me to now officially introduce others to this path.
My current students are already on their journeys and will be happy to share their experience with the work so far.
Several of them had the privelege to ride with Manuel Jorge this past week and I was so proud to watch them stretch themselves under his incredible eye for detail!
I will constantly be continuing my own evolution as a rider as I go forward, utilising the wealth of education provided by Oliveira Stables via Oliveira TV, and the excellent Opus Vertikal movies. As well as some exciting plans to bring MJO’s highly accredited trainers over to NZ and Aus!

Life is about choices.
That’s the beauty of free will, you can choose to explore and open up to something new, sometimes challenging or even confronting, and see what breakthroughs occur.
Or you can take any number of different paths. Either way the sign of someone who is working on themselves and developing as a human is to travel your path with Respect. For yourself, for the horses and for other humans.
It’s a big world, the REAL one that is 😉 life happens out there, not behind a computer screen…it happens when you put your boots on and get into the arena, and unless your doing that and getting some sweat and blood and tears on your face then you really don’t get to criticise or knock someone who is.
There are plenty of haters out there, so why not be an inspirer and a force for good.
Also, you dont know what a person is dealing with, so perhaps just be kind.
That’s the space I choose to operate from to the best of my ability, and I try hard to live by that with my students and in my life.

And finally, unless you’ve actually TRIED it, and I mean tasted it, eaten it and digested it you really DONT know. 😉
So come along to a lesson or clinic and see for yourself! Take a bite of the cake!
All my event dates will be listed on my Affinity Equitation page.
You can also host me for a clinic or lesson days in your area and the host rides for free.

And never forget: As Isabella Sontaag herself explains- Vertical is not NEW or something created by Oliveira Stables - it’s not a method. It’s their designation for riding in the meaning of the old riding masters.

So strive to live authentically, in a clear mind and in balance, and watch how your world and that of your horses change for the better!

Tamara x

24/01/2026

Looking forward to seeing my students for tomorrow’s lessons at Candelo Showgrounds. Easiest to park up the top of the hill near the arena. Yards there for horses as needed. Please pop your payments through if you haven’t already! Cheers Tamara

20/01/2026

This upcoming Sunday the 25th Private Lessons at Candelo Showgrounds!
Can those that have asked for a spot just check in with me to confirm your times and payments please ☺️👍 I think the weather is not looking super boiling so it’s 8.30-11.30 slots finishing last lesson at 12.30. 😊

14/01/2026

Heading up to my wonderful group of students at Falls Creek this weekend! It’s going to be wet through the state by the sounds of it, but we are going to be in an undercover kindly arranged for us all to get the most out of our sessions! Travel safe, stay calm and see you all tomorrow afternoon! ❤️

08/01/2026

Affinity Equitation —The Work

Principles over Methods

At Affinity Equitation, my work as a Coach is shaped by depth, not trends — and by integration, not shortcuts.

My experience spans multiple disciplines and environments:
from running a Stud and working with foals and youngstock, to handling wild horses, c**t starting, competing in obstacle racing, cowboy dressage and mountain trail.
I’ve had the privilege to soak in the knowledge of some of the best horsemen and woman around the world from different styles and backgrounds.

Alongside this, I’ve spent years developing practical skills in barefoot trimming, rehabilitation, correct nutrition, lifestyle management and ethical horse keeping.

This breadth has shaped a genuinely holistic approach to horsemanship — one that recognises that training does not exist in isolation. Soundness, balance, mindset, management, environment and education are inseparable. I’ve seen the lasting effects of this integrated approach firsthand in my own breeding program and personal horses.

My passion lies in foundations — and in constantly expanding my ability as a teacher.
My aim is NOT to create dependence, but to empower riders: to give students the understanding, feel and confidence to self-propel their training with clarity and responsibility.

In recent years, I’ve immersed myself in historical horsemanship and the Vertikal path, focusing on the development of true balance, self-carriage and collection. This work is not about forcing a shape or manufacturing a frame — it is about building a horse from the inside out.

What you won’t get here:
• Riding in mindless circles, fighting to get a horse “on the bit”
• Shortcuts, gadgets or mechanical fixes
• Blaming the horse when something isn’t working

What you will get is an approach grounded in:
• Correct foundations
• Thoughtful progression
• Personal accountability
• Respect for the horse as a whole being

I believe great riding begins with self-awareness, not dominance — and that lasting change comes through inspiration, not confrontation.
WE are responsible for our emotions, our timing, our choices and our impact.
Horses reflect this back to us with absolute authenticity and honesty.

If you want to be a true rider — not just a passenger —
if you want to add value to your horse’s life rather than extract performance from it,
and if you’re committed to growth, education and ethical horsemanship,
then I’d love to work with you.

Because this isn’t just Horsemanship.
It’s Lifemanship.

— Tamara Coakley
Affinity Equitation