Tori and life’s lessons, from Rocco and friends

When Tori Jeffress’ horse, Rocco, came into her life 10 years ago, it would ignite a lifelong passion for horse rehabilitation, coaching, and a desire to help others learn classical riding principles.

Tori, 28, manages her father’s sheep property at Manildra and is an accomplished rider. She teaches bit-less and bridle-less dressage clinics all around NSW, and also offers demonstrations at the Australian National Field Days here in Orange.

The Manildra coach is now beginning a new phase of her equine career — publishing a children’s book, based around her beloved Rocco.

“I do a lot of rehabilitation with horses and I started writing an educational book about horses…I got three chapters into the book, and thought it was taking too long and thought, I would also do a kids’ book. That’s where it started,” Tori said.

“It’s about a horse that gets bullied by the other horses and finds friendship in other animals, birds, dogs, and people. It teaches kids it’s okay to be different and friends don’t always have to be people at school. They can be anyone you enjoy spending time with.”

Rocco and Friends was finished a month ago with the help of illustrators in Sydney who came on board to provide the colourful illustrations in the book.

“It’s getting printed as we speak,” Tori said. “I don’t know if it will be a career, but it’s definitely good fun and I definitely have an idea for another book.”

The fictional character Rocco, was inspired by Tori’s horse of the same name who led her on her own experiences through rehabilitating horses.

“I like to talk about my journey with Rocco. I got him as a three-year-old and he was unsound. We did classical dressage, and I learnt the biomechanics and about the skeleton, and I got him well, sound — and had him doing bridle-less demonstrations,” Tori said.

“Two years after working with him, I found Jose Mendez, who got me started with classical work.

“Then I met Melinda Bolsenbroek – my current trainer. She’s also helped me.”

Tori hopes to compete with her new mare, “Lola”, at the Equitana at Melbourne in November.

In the meantime, she continues to teach clinics across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland; helping people with their horses, helping to rehabilitate them, teaching classical dressage, and how to keep horses sound for years longer; “long into their 20s”, she said.

Purchase your own copy of Rocco and Friends at: www.bitlesswitheverybitofcontrol.com.au.