ABOUT US

Kellie’s horsemanship journey began almost as soon as she could walk. From the age of 3, she rode alongside her mum, dad, and station hands, mustering cattle and sheep through rugged gidgee rock, heavily timbered country, and steep hills. Those long miles in unforgiving terrain shaped not only her riding ability, but her character. Throughout her career, Kellie has often been described as a determined rider with a beautiful seat — a skill forged in the tough country where she first learned to truly sit up and ride.

In her early teens, Kellie began riding and training outside horses. It was during these years that she discovered her passion for speed events and fell in love with the challenge of keeping a horse calm, confident, and focused while still being competitive at the highest level. Even then, she knew that one day she wanted to help others reach their goals with their horses.

Kellie quickly became well known for her success across multiple disciplines, particularly with her Appaloosa gelding Cayuse Mighty Kalahari (Pudge) and her Quarter Horse mare Two Eyed Bow (Crystal). When Kellie first acquired Pudge, many believed he was a hopeless cause and too slow. Within two years, he was winning Stockman Challenge and Gymkhana events and running some of the fastest times in rodeo arenas in QLD. Together with Crystal, Kellie formed a formidable partnership, and she often said that as long as she didn’t let her horses down, she knew she could “collar the cheque.”

One of her most well-known sayings among friends has always been, “Believe in yourself and achieve it yourself.” It’s a mindset she has carried since childhood, encouraged by parents who taught her to work hard, stay grounded, and always pay her own way — which she did from the age of 13.

After the sudden and tragic loss of Pudge, followed by a serious accident that nearly ended her riding career, Kellie stepped away from rodeo with a broken heart. She continued to start young horses and competed casually with Crystal, who later retired on a win at the remarkable age of 26. Kellie then began riding her parents’ stallion, Billy, who was later gelded for health reasons. After his recovery, the pair went on to place and win several smaller titles.

It was during this period that Kellie met the man who would become her husband — the person who encouraged her to remember who she truly was and the life she had once dreamed of. With renewed purpose, she decided to chase that dream again. The game was about to change.

Today, Kellie lives on a property in South-East Queensland with her husband Tyson and their children, where they grow hay, run cattle and breed a small number of horses, continuing the bloodlines of her great Crystal and Pudge. With Tyson’s support, Kellie has spent time rebuilding herself to a highly competitive level. She is once again a strong competitor in the arena and a respected Trainer and Clinician.

In 2014, Kellie turned her lifelong dream into reality and launched her coaching business, running private horsemanship and barrel racing clinics. She also began mentoring competitive barrel racers and developed her own training program, “Sound Minds, Fast Times,” which she now teaches internationally. Her clinics are designed for all ages and all horse-and-rider levels, with a strong focus on building confidence, understanding, and long-term success.

By 2017, Kellie’s clinics had grown far beyond anything she had imagined, running all over Australia and coaches riders internationally. She is known not only for her technical knowledge of barrel racing and horsemanship, but for her ability to inspire, motivate, and genuinely connect with her students.

Kellie believes every rider has their own unique style — their signature — and her job is to give that signature the tools needed to reach the winner’s circle. She believes success isn’t about the prettiest horse or the flashiest gear, but about dedication, consistency, and the willingness to put the miles, time, and heart into your horse.

Her students often say that Kellie’s clinics are among the best they’ve ever attended. She is respected for her humility, her honesty, and her belief that learning never stops and no question is ever a silly one. She has a rare ability to meet riders where they are, understand their challenges, and help them achieve real, lasting results.

Kellie lives by a simple philosophy:

“Your dreams were given to you for a reason. It’s your responsibility to honour them by working hard and backing yourself — because no one else will. Be gritty, be brave, and make it happen, make no excuses.”