Meet The Guides - Jess | Wild Coast Horses

Meet the Guides - Jess

Nicky Hoseck

Jess may have only started working for Wild Coast Horse Trails four years ago, but her involvement with the company goes all the way back to 2003, when an 8-year-old Jess used to help out at the paddocks during the school holidays.

Although she dreamt of working as a horse trails guide, she never thought that dream would become a reality. But as the world locked down in 2020, Jess's world opened up, and she leapt at the chance to join a company that had always been close to her heart.

After volunteering through lockdown, Jess became a fully fledged member of the team in April 2021, just as local travel started to open up again.

Riding into the Perfect Storm

While the rest of the world was still reeling from COVID, Wild Coast Horse Trails began venturing up the coast again, only to be met by extreme weather conditions and unprecedented deluges of rain. As rivers swelled and flooded, Jess determinedly rode on, learning the trail routes under Tertia's expert guidance.

Those experiences were unforgettable. Jess recalls, "The stress and anticipation of not knowing what you're going to face as you ride to the next river was quite intense." Challenging as they were, these experiences prepared her well. By the time she led her first Wild Coast Horse Trail, she felt ready for anything. "I felt more at ease knowing that no matter what I faced, I was prepared for it."

From Childhood Dream to Professional Guide

Today, Jess is a seasoned professional with nearly 40 trails and 5,000 km under her belt. Many of those miles she's covered on two of her favourite horses - Taitum and Foxy - who are at opposite ends of the personality spectrum!

Foxy, a silly, sassy creature who started her trail career alongside Jess, "grew with me, creating a bond like no other," Jess explains. "She never fails to make me laugh." For lead horse duties, however, Jess relies on the elegant Taitum, a homebred Anglo Arab with a more sensible head on her powerful shoulders. "I'm lucky to say that I trust her with my life, and I feel she trusts me with hers," she says.

A Match Made in the Saddle

Having such strong bonds with the horses she rides helps Jess match guests with their perfect equine partners, ensuring each rider has the best possible experience on the Wild Coast.

The secret to her success is, she says, “Knowing the horses so intimately,” although she also relies heavily on the information the riders provide.

“When matching horses and riders, we take into account how experienced riders are, their height, weight and age. All of this helps us make the perfect match,” she explains.

The Love Shines Through

Like many of the guests who return time after time, Jess can't get enough of the Wild Coast trail. "There's just nothing like it. I love the views, the beaches, and the technical elements. The hotels we stay at are beautiful and always feel like home."

Much as she loves the terrain, nothing compares to her first love - the horses. "I've been riding with Wild Coast Horse Trails for the past 20 years," Jess smiles, "and I've always been amazed at the quality of horses they produce. The love that's put into them shines through for everyone to see."

This deep appreciation for the horses makes Jess a dependable guide, with a strong focus on safety. "It's crucial that everyone follows the safety briefing rules," she emphasizes.

"I've witnessed mistakes happen when they're disregarded. Horse safety is paramount - these horses work so hard for us and trust us to keep them safe. In my opinion, if a horse feels safe, the rider is safe too."

Why Honesty is the Best Policy

It’s little surprise, then, that Jess’s advice to future guests is "to be 100% honest about your riding ability and give as much detail as possible.” As experienced and knowledgeable as our guides are, they can only work with the information you provide, so skimping on the details could see you matched with a horse that’s either too much for you, or who doesn’t match your style of riding.

Jess may be a bit of stickler when it comes to safety, but even she has to admit there are aspects of trail riding that are beyond her control. When I ask her what one thing she would change about her job, she laughs, saying, “The power to control the weather!” Until that happens, Jess recommends bringing two items on trail with you - a raincoat and a spare pair of shoes for riding. After all, she says, “It’s not called the Wild Coast for nothing!”

Conclusion

When asked about her favorite aspects of the job, Jess's eyes light up. "Being able to explore the Wild Coast on horseback and meeting clients from all over the world," she says without hesitation.

It's clear that for Jess, this dream job combines her love for horses, her passion for the Wild Coast, and the joy of sharing these experiences with people from all over the world.

Her enthusiasm is contagious, making her not just a guide, but an ambassador for the Wild Coast Horse Trails experience.