Meet the Team

Sharyn Fong

Sharyn grew up with horses, developing her love of horses from her father. She took up this passion again 10 years ago when she bought her son his first pony and has not looked back. She is a trained Psychiatric nurse who has a long history of working with families and individuals over nearly two decades. Having worked in crisis management for most of her adult life, she brings a sense of calm to the most challenging of circumstances. She is an accidental entrepreneur who has created many successful businesses, and for the last decade, this focus has been on horses.
Sharyn has seen first-hand the benefits of horses and their therapeutic benefit on children who have had remarkable experiences and breakthroughs with their disabilities by being around and experiencing the therapeutic nature the horse brings to an individual.
She has three children and too many horses to count (seriously, we have lost count, but it must be more than 16 …it keeps changing!). Her dog poodle (who is a poodle, just in case you were wondering) is the farm hand who can be seen with her on the quad bike managing the farm, making sure everything is in hand.
Downtime for Sharyn includes spending time at the farm, her happy place, and catching up with friends and she is a keen advocate for up-and-coming young riders of the future.

Kirsten is Chief of Staff at Monash University and has spent her career in higher education leading teams to deliver and enjoy work while doing it at universities in Australia, the UK and Spain. She first started facilitating at Reach and trained under Jim Stynes and Paul Currie - she has worked with C-suite teams, teenagers, footballers, teachers, children and a range of other groups - she also once has a gig as Captain Starlight at the Royal Children’s hospital facilitating fun for children who were going through medical treatment.
She has a Masters in Management & Public Policy and is currently leading the research talent development for high-achieving researchers across Monash. She has built capability development frameworks, designed programs and facilitated learning experiences for over 20 years.
Kirsten has led the design of this program and has enjoyed the process of reviewing the latest literature on what creates, develops and sustains high-performing teams she works at a university and loves delving into research. In her spare time Kirsten is a trail runner who has completed 100km ultra-marathons and lives down the Peninsula on Boon Wurrung land with her family including her partner Tim, their two-year-old Marlie, their two dogs Rory and Billie and their horse Foxy. She loves the sense of stillness animals bring to her life and is constantly learning from them how to be more present, loyal and trusting.

Anne Hall holds a Bachelor of Arts (Education) and is a current Equestrian Australia Level 2 riding coach, with 40-plus years of coaching and horse handling experience she brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.
Until recently, Anne was among many other roles a coach educator, Equestrian Australia dressage judge as well as judge mentor. She is still actively involved in judge education and updates. Anne is a recipient of the Australian Sports Commission Leadership for Women in Sport award and has twice been coveter Young Ambassador of the Year for Show Horse.
Anne was the Australian Paralympic Assistant coach at the World Equestrian Games in Belgium in 2002 and again in 2004 at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. In 1985 Anne implemented the very first program in Equine Studies to the year 11 and 12 curriculum in Western Australia which is now a VCE-recognised course for year 11 and 12 students Australia-wide.
Passion for horses and teaching, Anne brings a wealth of knowledge, life skills and learning to the team.

OUR THERAPY HORSES

Willow

The oldest pony in the paddock, Willow loves nothing more than a scratch on her wither and a treat at night time before lights out.
Sundae

Sundae is one of the kindest ponies who just loves to be around people and will happily spend her day having a pamper and hanging out with her paddock buddy.
Jeanie

Jeanie has the booty and the brains and is a talented dressage pony having made the dressage team the last two years running at the National Interschool championships.
Nevada

He is the forever child that never grew up, you will find him in a paddock throwing a bucket around or with his head stuck in a round bale of hay, having the best time ever.
Kenya

Her kindness and willingness to engage with participants at a level they are comfortable with is her greatest asset.