Hi, I'm Merel!
I have spent my entire life with horses—breeding, exploring western and English disciplines, endurance racing, and even growing up with a pony by my side. Today, my path has led me to study with Bent Branderup in Denmark, the Grand Master and founder of the Academic Art of Riding. Four years ago, I began working with Phoenix, a once‑wild horse, who quickly revealed that liberty was his favorite way to connect with me. Through him, I discovered that true communication begins with awareness of my own energy. When I quiet myself and move with subtlety, I can feel more clearly how the horse responds and what he needs. This intuitive flow of liberty work naturally mirrors the principles of Tai Chi—balance, presence, and harmony in motion.
Phoenix, my wild horse
The roots of my work lie in the wild horses of the Okanagan, whose untamed spirit continues to shape my path. Bringing Phoenix, a free‑roaming stallion, into my life opened a doorway into liberty training—his favorite way of connecting—and taught me that true partnership begins when we listen more than we ask.
Working at liberty
Liberty work is not about control, but about presence, awareness, and trust. Horses mirror our inner state with honesty, showing us how to quiet the mind, soften the body, and move in harmony with them.
Through my teaching, I share these lessons with others: how the freedom of the wild horse and the subtlety of liberty training can transform not only the way we work with horses, but also the way we move through life.
The Horses
The Herd is the living reflection of my life’s unfolding journey. Phoenix, the once‑wild stallion, continues to teach me the language of freedom through liberty work, while Ginnie, with her intensity and emotional depth, keeps me grounded in presence and authenticity. Jas, my gentle mare of twenty years, offers a steady, nurturing balance, having been with me since birth. Together, they form a circle of wisdom, each carrying a piece of the story that shapes who I am and how I walk this path with horses.
