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MEET THE EVE TEAM

Melanie Rhoden, Owner of EVEvaulting, Connection with a horse, Horsemanship Program, certified EA Coach
MEET MELANIE

While I’d like to claim I rode as soon as I was born, that would not be correct (unless riding in my imagination counts).

I started riding horses when I was six and was lucky enough to own my first horse from age nine. Randalin was like my best friend.

 

Move forward a few years. I studied to be a textile manager and costume tailor. I know right! Not remotely horse related 😊 I’ve got no idea what happened. 

Life took another direction, marriage, kids, husband, etc. and finally I went back to riding about eighteen years ago. 

I obtained my German horse riding teaching certificate and at the same time I bought my second horse, a polish Warmblood called Homer. I dabbled a bit in breeding Haflingers, my children got involved with horses and learned to vault whilst I taught horse riding on the side. 

Life took another turn and seven years ago we all (including my love and passion for horses), moved to beautiful Australia where I obtained my EA Coach Accreditation and I have been working with horses and people ever since, and now I am founder of EVE and I am so excited to be here.

 

EVE has been in planning for a few years now, and many more years in my head. I truly believe that EVE will bring horses closer to people. 

Horses are majestic animals that deserve our respect and love. At EVE I want to promote that relationship and move it to the next level. 

 

BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF   -  THROUGH HORSES

 

It doesn’t matter where you are in life. You may think your child is too young, or you feel too unfit or you feel too old, but you are NOT!!!

MEET AMÉLIE

Amélie is our passionate Vaulting Coach. She started vaulting when she was just 5 years old. She has been Mel's assistant Coach from the beginnings of EVE. She has built up our three amazing Vaulting Teams.

Amelie loves being with the Horses and coaching the Kids as well as Adults the basics of vaulting.

MEET SALLY

Sally Hemphill was raised on the Mornington Peninsula with horse and animals and has a comitted passion to working with children and horses. 

Through her extensive experience, she understands the benefits that these connections can provide. 

Her therapeutic knowledge has enabled her to  implement wellness programs at the iconic Pennisula Hotsprings in Fingal.

Furthermore her love of children has led her to be a playgroup facilitator in indigenous and community settings giving her a lived experience with a diverse range of people.

In addition she has experience as a teachers aid and has been involved in home schooling for many years. Currently she is completing her allied health certificate as an OT Assistant. 

Her best day is doing equine therapy and bush crafts with children in a child led environment. She enjoys seeing children find their own creativity and natural ways of learning. 

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MEET SANDY

15 Year old Off the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Gelding- Sandy Jane (AKA Devonshire Duke)

He had broken his leg in his last race. But Thanks to his lovely Mommy Courtney, he got to live, get surgery ( he still has several screws in his bone) and heal out his injury for several years in her Paddocks :-)

I got to meet this lovely Boy at Gunnamatta Trail rides, where he was an excellent Trail horse but an even better Lesson Horse for old and young .(retired with Covid starting)

Courtney asked me last year if I wanted to give Sandy some work as he was bored in his Paddock and I happily accepted.

Soon we saw his potential for Vaulting- he loves it and is sooooo patient. Since he has been with us he has quickly become the stable's favourite riding and vaulting horse. He has taught endless people how to canter and has boosted soo many riders confidences and abilities in every way.

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MEET TAJ

8 year old Off the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Gelding- Taj, aka Taygeta.

Taj's dream of racing in the Melbourne Cup was crushed when he won his last race with a broken foot.

"He was soo fast !"  Thanks to his loving jockey Jake Noonan, he could heal out and be rehabbed. His foot hasn't bothered him since:-).

Unfortunately he has been passed around from owner to owner the past 2 years and we can only imagine that he didn't really like being a horse without a job and purpose. Since he has been with us, he has not put one foot wrong. He loves being cuddled, petted, painted ;-) , going on trail rides, having bareback rides in the arena and already teaching lessons to a few more confident students.

He still needs to learn the ropes of dressage and jumping, but he tries soooo hard and always wants to please. He also started his vaulting training just recently- we will see how he develops. From what we know of him so far- he will master this discipline as well, as long as he can be part of everything that is happening around him:-)

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MEET TEDDY

9 year old Off the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Gelding- Our newest addition Teddy, aka Pereira.

This smoochie tall boy couldn't hurt a fly. He loves Cuddles just like his nick name "Teddy Bear". He is already being used for lessons with more advanced riders and the Psychologists love to use him for their sessions. No other horse is better behaved and kinder to strangers.

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He retired from racing in 2021 because he wasn't fast enough anymore. He went to a lovely lady near Geelong, who taught him the basics and loved him very much, but unfortunately Teddy got head shakers desease at her place- and we believe it was an allergic reaction to something in the grass over there. So far he hasn't sown any signs of it with us and we hope to never witness it. 

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MEET COSTA

13 year old Off the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Gelding- Costa aka "What's the Problem"

The Problem was, he was too slow.

He has been a lead horse for the young ones at the race track and for the last 6 years, has been living with a lovely Couple whom he taught to ride. He hasnt done much in a few years now, so his lovely parents have asked me to give Costa a Chance, a Purpose and a Job. And we did.

He is such a sweet Giant, with his wopping 17hh he is the tallest in our Team. Everyone that meets him and rides him falls in love with this quiet Introvert. He is already teaching lessons and we have started using him for Vaulting as well. He is doing sooooo good'. He isnt fussed about anything.

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MEET HEIDI

12 year old Gypsie Cob x Quater Horse mare- Our only mare Heidi 

We fell in love with Heidi over a facebook ad and bought her "unseen." We were praying that she actually had four legs when she finally arrived with us by Truck from Canberra.

In her past life she has had a foal but had never been ridden before. This was a challenge for us, but we decided to take it slow and give her time.

Now, 18 months later she loves to trail ride and she is being used for Hyppotherapy and School Holiday programs. She is going so well. She is smart, learns new things every day, loves to work and has captured many hearts already.

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