10 January, 2025

I was lucky enough to be part of Sarah’s amazing 5,500 km Outback Long Ride across outback NSW and QLD, riding her two horses, Shifty and Sally.

It was a fabulous experience being her support driver for a week, getting to know Sarah and hearing her story. Her ambition is to raise $250k for Pancare in memory of her late parents. It’s also part of her grieving process, learning to live and love without them. I’m grateful to have been a small part of her journey and to see firsthand her dedication to raising awareness of upper GI cancer in rural Australia.

One hot night, we found ourselves chatting about horse breeding, and I learned that Shifty (aka Caralta Freecon) is out of Kirkbys Stud Freedom and by Hazelwood Conman. Kirkbys Stud Freedom is by Kirkbys Stud Octagonal and out of Stonebrook Liberty, an impact mare. It was nice to add another layer to our connection, made even more special by Sarah saying Shifty is her heart horse. It’s these conversations that inspire and underpin the Kirkbys Stud motto – Enjoy Your Ride!!

Make sure to check out Beneath The Brim and follow Sarah’s amazing travels. It’s a journey worth being a part of!