Gretgrix Equestrian

25/05/2026

Hello! 👋👋

Thankyou for all the continued support. The past fortnight has been ‘surreal, but nice’ 🤣 (full points for whoever recognises that movie quote).

I am excited to say my recovery has been very positive so far and some days, like today (gasp!) I am completely pain free. I cry all the time at the sheer *ease* I am experiencing on those days and savour it. I am so incredibly fortunate.

I know, prior to surgery, many were surprised to learn I was unwell, but I had even fooled myself. I was in far more pain than even I could comprehend. Nerve pain is an experience I would not wish on anyone. It impacted me in so many ways - yet was an invisible, silent enemy.

After a 5 hour complex microsurgery, I obviously still need to behave myself for a bit longer yet. Not too much physical activity/lifting. It is telling though, that I breezed through the first few days of post operative recovery - nothing in that experience has been anywhere near as painful as what I lived with daily for the past 18 months. Let’s hope this is indeed a sign of things to come.

I will be opening bookings again at some stage in June, but obviously will start slow, as my recovery may not be a linear trajectory. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

- Lauren (and Henry!) x ❤️

11/05/2026

To those who say horse riding is an easy sport—look a little closer. What you’re seeing isn’t just physical skill; it’s mental resilience on a level most sports never demand.

At Badminton, one of the toughest and most technical events in the world, the top three riders weren’t just performing—they were overcoming.

1st – Ros Canter. Winning a 5* event while five months pregnant last year, then returning less than four months after giving birth—not just to compete, but to win again. Balancing elite performance with recovery, pressure, and the realities of new motherhood takes a kind of mental strength few can comprehend.

2nd – Tim Price. Competing at the highest level with a broken collarbone. Every stride, every jump requires focus over fear, and the ability to shut out pain when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

3rd – Harry Meade. Coming back from catastrophic elbow injuries once described as “exploded grains of sand,” with a 90% chance he’d never ride again. Not only did he return—he’s world number 1.

This isn’t just toughness. It’s grit, determination, and an unshakeable mindset. Riders don’t just face the course—they face doubt, risk, recovery, and the constant unpredictability of working with another living being.

So no, horse riding isn’t easy. It’s one of the clearest examples of mental resilience you’ll find in sport.

Rewritten because apparently I need to fully explain my point 🤦🏼‍♀️

(Picture from Badminton, Fiona Kashel is the rider)

10/05/2026

Thankyou to everyone who sent me messages and wished me well for my surgery. I am humbled by your kindness and so appreciative for the support.

A brief update - all went as well as it could have. I arrived home yesterday and am SO happy to be home with my family and horses/pets. There’s no place like home!

I have quite a long road ahead for full recovery, so plan to provide an update at the end of the month as to where I am at with reopening. I absolutely won’t be rushing, as I cannot afford to jeopardise my recovery.

Enjoy this lovely Autumn weather and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mums - hope you are spoilt! ❤️

18/04/2026

Thankyou to the ONF for their work in raising awareness and education/advocacy.

Without their support, I would never have learned about appropriate treatment options for ON in such a timely fashion.

I learned to look for surgeons who are members of the Migraine Surgery Society to explore surgical treatment (whilst they are different conditions, involvement of occipital nerves can also occur in migraine and other headache types).

To my knowledge, there’s only a handful of surgeons in Australia offering this procedure, with one fortunately in Melbourne. 🩵

Whilst it seems like it has been a long time, my journey is a drop in the ocean compared to what many endure. One lady I chatted with online suffered for 30 years before she was diagnosed with ON and had surgery to finally have relief.

The best analogy I have for ON is ‘carpal tunnel of the head’. The occipital nerves are irritated or compressed by tight muscle/fascia/blood vessels, causing severe burning pain at the back of the head. The aim of the surgery is to remove the compression points on the nerves and restore their function.

18 more sleeps…! 😱

🤞🤞🤞🩵🩵🩵

10/04/2026

SCHOOL HOLIDAY AVAILABILITY

- Last minute deals!

We have a few lesson spots available tomorrow morning - jump online to book.

We also have several weekday appointments next week - make the most of our $89 schoolmaster special before it ends next Fri.

Lessons for all ages and abilities, not just kids!

Enquiries welcome
[email protected]

05/04/2026

For those into horsey podcasts, here’s a new one - BETWEEN THE FLAGS

My other faves include:

Equiratings Eventing Podcast
InStride - Sinead Halpin-Maynard
Eventing Weekly with Mitch and Brayden
Talk Horse - Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps

(There’s a reason I’m often seen in headphones. Aside from noise suppression to reduce my head pain, I am also a podcast ju**ie).

From falling off every day… to finishing on the world stage.

Welcome to Between the Flags 🎙️🐎

Join Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes as we dive into the real stories behind eventing— the highs, the lows, the lessons, and everything in between.

In our very first episode, we sit down with Olivia “Golly” Barton to unpack her journey from a determined young rider to competing on the international stage.

If you love eventing, horses, and honest conversations from inside the sport—this is for you.

🎧 Listen now and ride along with us.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/between-the-flags/id1890755244

https://open.spotify.com/show/3kbhFE13AvRwwA1iiE5ctF?si=QHexQKZhT5ir72lcjuZ8TQ

25/03/2026

Feels.

Horses may soon end up main mode of transport. 😳

🤑😫

23/03/2026

SCHOOL HOLIDAY WEEKDAY LESSON SALE!! Details below ⬇️

I have put up a few more weekday availabilities for this week. Jump online to book.

I have also put up appointments through to early May. In my current circumstances, will be honouring as many requests as I am reasonably able to. Please do not be afraid to reach out - I need the support/work now, as I will later be off for 4-6 weeks.

[email protected]

I understand that times are tough, so will also be adding a SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL $89 private schoolmaster lesson deal for ANY private lesson on a *weekday* only, between April 5-18th, *booked and paid for online*

You do not need to be a school kid to benefit - just need to book a lesson online for a *weekday* lesson during school hols.

Happy riding!

17/03/2026

Good morning!

Another 25mm sunday night has been a good follow up to the big rain at the start of the month. The landscape has sighed relief!

I will be available until early-mid May and anticipate I will then be taking 4-6 weeks off all work to recuperate from surgery. I am obviously anxious, but also cautiously excited, that it will hopefully be the start of a new chapter. ❤️

Jump online to book - I’ll fit in what I can under the circumstances. Email if you need assistance

[email protected]

PS you might recognise some of these faces - what a lovely morning!

02/03/2026

MARCH

Sometimes, the Universe listens!
Full dams, full tanks, full hearts ❤️

Something of a reprieve from the last couple of difficult years. I fully expect further climate challenges - but right now, 88mm in the gauge since Fri night is pretty darn good! Now had 121 mm YTD, most of which fell in past 8 days.

On that note - April appointments are online. 🥳🥳🥳 email [email protected] if you can’t find a suitable time.

If you wish to get some riding in, I would suggest you capitalise on the next 2 months, as I am likely to be taking some time off in May - TBC.

Enjoy all those puddles and cooler weather!