Your generous donation will fund our mission across Australia:

• To support and educate beginner horse lovers for an easier and safer start to horses. Reducing risk and injury for a future of competent handlers and riders
• Helping mental health in our community through Equine Assisted Learning.
• For 32 students (attending individually or in groups of 4 for 2hrs per month) at $997 for the year that includes all the resources and personalised mentor for support.

EDUCATION RESOURCES, DEDICATED HORSE EXPERT MENTOR KNOWN AS "THE HORSE MUM", LOCAL HORSE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITY

1. Improve grassroots equestrian and beginner horse experiences that deliver safer outcomes

• First point of contact to educate beginners on an easier and safer horse journey
• Provide the resources and tools to get started and constantly refer to for support. Books, Video and Personalised Support from a horse expert experienced in coaching beginners.
• Create a horse lovers community through a group chat/forum and live online meetings

2. Enable larger numbers of community to go through our horse programs providing mental health support and life skills. 

• Resulting in better engagement with school learning or the workforce, happiness at home and social interactions. 
• Positive outcomes in CONFIDENCE, CARE for others, emotional CONTROL, COMMUNICATION skills & COORDINATION in a natural, non-judgemental environment. 
• The FUNDING offers access not only to the learning resources but a fully funded horse experience for locals to attend Bonogin Valley Horse Retreat, a facility supporting Giddy Up Gold Coast programs.
• Uniquely located close to the suburbs and becoming a rare resource.

THE WHY

Horses are lifes therapy without therapy, connecting with horses is our Australian heritage and is the way of the future in such a heavy technology world, and it's right under your door step. These videos are a great insight to what horses are all about from real experiences:

• Horses For Healing in Teenagers with Emotional/Learning Difficulty
• ABC Horse Therapy for Abuse Victims Story
• This short video demonstrates the impact that our Horses Helping Humans program has on Youth
• Feedback Testimonials from Kings School Wellbeing Team
• Feedback from Parents & Students
• Feedback from Rainbow Ridge School

Take advantage from an life long experienced horse professional with Debbie Burgermeister, Head Coach and Founder of Bonogin Valley Horse Retreat and our Giddy Up Gold Coast charity

Deb has an intense passion, dedicated to utilize her privilege of horses to connect with people and work with our community to make a difference especially for beginner horse lovers…

• Growing up on large farm property with sheep and cattle she is able to share real farm experience and life skills.
• Credited with over 45yrs working with horses in English and Western disciplines, an established riding school for over 17 years and has many coaching qualifications, but her unique qualities come from her down to earth, friendly positive attitude and ability to relate to all ages. Experienced in being a parent of twins and the high expectations of child development in recreational activities.
• CERTIFICATIONS: Equestrian Australia Level 1 General Coach / CertIII Sports Coaching Equestrian / NCAS Level 2 Coach with Aust. Institute of Sport / CertIV Trainer & Assessor / First Aid, Mental Health First Aid & Blue Card / CertIV in Small Business Management / Advanced Diploma of Customer Contact Management

Written by Deb a short story of thanks: “THESE HANDS” Can your hands tell stories?

As I look at my so-called "lady" hands I often wonder how horse girls can have nails or non-marked skin. I look at my dented bruised finger from the stable door and laugh, or I think about the sadness of the 9yr old boy that died 20yrs ago after I did CPR.....OR....I think about the joy of holding my twins for the first time 4 weeks after they were born 3mths early just 560g............ BUT when I think hard about my 50yr old hands I think of what these hands have done on a farm with horses, sheep, cattle, chooks, cooking, cleaning, lifting, cutting, campfires, rivers, old cars and fixing fences...... the life of a country Australian that so many young people do not appreciate that I have had the blessing to experience - a farmer, a wife, a mother, a labourer, a mechanic, a factory worker and a horseman. These are all skills I cherish and I would not trade my hands for anything in the world as the stories are in my mind and my heart forever.

I thank my family, my friends and my employers for the experiences of life to help me learn and grow in mind & body! I pray our youth continue to be educated away from the computer with hands on reality and stories to cherish of their own

IN SUMMARY

Youth and disadvantaged individuals need a facility in nature to unwind and learn from experience, develop resilience, effective communication skills and learn stress management within a fast paced technology environment.

Benefits to our community are unlimited with impacts on keeping kids in school and successful transition into the workforce with common sense practical knowledge as well as reducing mental health impacts

Please make a tax deductible donation today and support keeping Horses in our community and help our mission of Giddy Up Gold Coast!