Our Members
More information about members' work and specialised skills can be found on their social media and websites.
Christelle Gevers
Committee Member | Treasurer
BeD Foundation Phase teacher, Pilates instructor, POUND Fit instructor​
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Learning about EFL and helping with horse riding lessons for special needs children. Currently a teacher, while aiming to engage in equine studies to gain the experience and skills to work more with those children in the future. ​
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Based in Dalton, Kwazulu Natal
+27 73 486 3602
Isabel Wolf-Gillespie
Member
BSc Nursing, CEEPSA Equine Complementary Health Therapist, Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development for NPO, Masters of Philosophy in Management Coaching, PhD Researcher (current) & Managing Founder of In the Company of Horses
Specialising in Equine Facilitated Leadership Development and Coaching, mostly based on herd dynamics, natural living and holistic care, self and social awareness, EQ and connection.
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Special Interest in: Inner-outer transformation, awareness work and growth, sustainability & nature connection, leadership of self, others and the environment.
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Based in Houtbosdorp, Limpopo
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+27 76 577 1936
Jane Armstrong
Member
Equine Behaviourist, Equine Facilitated Coaching for growth and learning, Horse Powered Reading, Christian Counselling.
Specialising in Horse-Human Relational Connection for personal growth, empowerment, enhancing leadership and communication skills.
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Special Interest in: Harnessing the Healing effects of nature, emotional development for learning difficulties, anxiety, leadership for confidence, and personal relationship building for groups and individuals.
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Based in Ballito, Kwazulu Natal
+27 83 778 0190
Juanita Biggs (nee Holder)
Committee Member | POPIA
I am a registered psychologist, in community and private practice, since 2012. I am nestled in the healing hills of a small rural farming community, Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal. You will find me in my office space at Kings Grant Country Retreat, or practicing outdoors in the field, in our natural farm environment. I am also a travelling psychologist; commuting to schools, health-care/community care facilities and/or organisations. I have the great privilege of being able to immerse myself in the experiential living and learning from my own horse herd, this provides both personal and professional development for both myself and clients who engage in counselling, support and psychotherapy co-facilitated by my equine partners within the healing benefits of nature. I employ a Client Centered approach when working with children and adults needing; Psychotherapy, Supportive Counselling, Crisis Intervention and Life-Skills Development. This creates flexibility and fluidity in the supportive approach applied to specific areas of need for Individuals, Groups, Families, Couples, Schools and Organisations.
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Special interest in: Eco-Centered-Nature Based Experiential Growth and Learning l Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy l Solution Focused Interventions; Self-Development and Empowerment l Health Promotion and Psychoeducation l Creative and Expressive Arts l Mindfulness. The Support of client centered needs such Re-Wilding and Reconnecting with “Self” facilitated by Nature Immersion and Equine Interaction l Burnout, Stress and Anxiety l Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychosocial and Emotional Support l Barriers to Learning l Emotional Regulation and Mood Related Disorders l Sports Performance Anxiety and Healthy Goal Achievement l Career and Student Support l Health Practitioner Debriefing l Trauma Support l Maternity Mental Health Care l Parental Guidance and Support l Academic School Going Age Appropriate Life Skills Development l Identity, Self-Esteem and Self Confidence l Childhood and Adult
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Based in Ixopo, Kwazulu Natal
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+27 67 623 1098
Kirsten Neke
Committee Member | Vice-Chairlady
My passion as an Equine-Facilitated Life Coach and Ecologist (PhD) is to guide my clients’ connection to self and others, to nature, and consequently, to their joy of life. I bring to my coaching my intuition, my passion and inspiration, and my integrity.
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Together, the Laughing Waters herd of horses and myself, enable the client to find profound insight and understanding of themself, the way they work, and the way they function with other people. Equine facilitated coaching offers a non-judgmental space to answer the questions that have been avoided and to overcome the obstacles holding us back.
I draw from a unique combination of experience and qualifications in the fields of equine facilitated life coaching and personal development, ecotherapy, leadership, wellness and mental fitness, NGOs and business, ecology, and education.
My clients include individuals and their families wishing to strengthen and revitalise their relationships, well-being and personal growth, and business groups and teams revisioning their strategy, communication and leadership.
I offer themed retreats together with SAEFIA members, Liesl Jewitt, as ‘Soul Journeys with Horses’, and Isabel Wolf-Gillespie, as Equine Facilitated Leadership Retreats.
Based at Laughing Waters Farm, Western Cape
+27 82 042 3764
Liesl Van Zyl
Member
Social Worker in Private Practice, Masters in Play Therapy (Gestalt), Equine Facilitated Counselling and Coaching (with the Mearas Whisper herd of Equine co-facilitators). Specialising in childhood trauma, grief and bereavement support, palliative care and empowerment of girls and women.
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Special interest in ecotherapy, positive & emotional intelligence, body-centred, emotionally-attuned, present-centred (embodied) approaches and tools to empower social workers. Offering themed Retreats together with Kirsten Neke as 'Soul Journeys with Horses'.
Based in Bathurst, Eastern Cape
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+27 83 362 6057
Natalie Stobäus
Committee Member | Chairlady
Natural horse and hoof care form the core of my daily work – specialising in rehabilitating hooves, body and mind on my farm in Muldersdrift. Regenerative agriculture and grazing methods naturally flow into this process.
Behaviour based horsemanship - inspired by herd life and relationships.
My equine education began with my herd in the veld at home. The start of a more formal approach was made with Intelligent Horsemanship (Kelly Marks, Monty Roberts protégé). My introduction to horse behaviour was deepened with some intensive work with Silversand Natural Horsemansip, currently I am mainly involved with horsemanship and French classical dressage lessons with both L’ecole de Legerete (under Licensed Instructor Veronika Bühn) and Cindy Werner (Harmonie Stalle). I recently resigned from 13 years of yard management at a not-for-profit therapeutic riding centre, where she was responsible for educating and caring for the herd of equines, so that they could ethically deliver therapeutic riding and Equine Facilitated Learning interventions. I have come home to my herd, in order to develop facilitation sessions in my own capacity, so that horse and rider may grow ever better relationships- on the ground and in riding.
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My interest in wellness, both Equine and Human, has led me to study in a wide variety of complementary modalities, which strongly inform my work with land, horses and humans.
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Based in Johannesburg, Gauteng
+27 83 306 0839
Natasha O'Shaughnessy
Member
Natasha is a retired Fire Officer, however, she started her career in EAT at an early age whilst assisting her sisters learn the joys of riding bareback. Her interest in Therapeutic riding piqued when she watched a blind rider compete in a show, after which she joined RDA. As a member of SAAF she enjoyed years of experience in the equestrian military and later in life, starting her own Therapeutic Riding Centre in Oman under PATH int. guidelines. She is a PATH certified TRI coach and CEEPSA Equine Professional.
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Presently, Natasha lives in the deep rural country side of France where she has not practiced since before Covid.Natasha integrates modalities from a etiological perspective is working as horse professional along side a qualified psycho therapist for Hippotherapy and other.
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Special Interest in: Over time Natasha's focus has changed to a more holistic and inclusive, collaborative partnership with equines. She believes in deeply listening, grounding and in-hand work, as opposed to riding. She believes in living with "Horse stance" and that Pegasus is her guardian Spirit with Epona forever presenting comfort.
Natasha's mantra: when in doubt let your horse do the thinking.
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Based in France
+33 65 671 0960
Nina Schein-Murzl
Committee Member | Secretary
Equine Facilitator and Life Coach
Passionate life coach, with experience in art therapy, trust and confidence building methods for horses and humans to facilitate inner shifts and healing.
Specialising in Equine Learning and Life Skills, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy in partnership with mental health professional.
Special interest in: Encouraging communication and connection through the equine, subtle energy release and grounding support, trust and confidence building for children with autism and for beginners of all ages.
Based in Baardskeerdersbos, Overberg, WC
+27 76 570 2222
