Erica Jessup has over 35 years experience in the horse industry in Australia, including leading roles at some of Australia’s most prestigious Thoroughbred studs. Erica has worked with wild horses for many years and is considered a leading authority regarding wild horse management and training.
She is a founding member of the Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Association, the first organisation in Australia to campaign to work holistically with National Parks in removal of wild horses from National Parks. Erica is a no nonsense horse woman, with highly honed bush skills.
Erica draws her skills and methods from an innate understanding of horses and learning from numerous horsemen and women from around the globe. Her greatest teachers are the wild horses she works with.
Gaining the trust of a wild horse is achieved through mutual respect, good leadership and reliability. The handler has to be sensitive to every nuance of communication from the horse, and ensure the human is calm and consistent at all times.
The same is true in handling domestic horses. These are the principles on which Erica bases her clinics, treks and all equine experiences.
Erica enjoys the process of training reliable saddle and pack horses who will ride and pack anywhere, anytime. Her favourite way to unwind and relax is to make the steep and challenging and trek into the seclusion of Guy Fawkes River National Park- the most remote section of the Bicentennial National Trail. She finds her greatest peace in the Australian bush, traveling self sufficiently with her horses.