Hi, I’m Victoria — please call me Vicci — an Equine Behaviourist, Horse Trainer, Riding Coach, Life Coach, and Mindfulness with Horses Practitioner.

My journey with horses began before I could walk, when my dad placed me on a horse for the first time. After he passed away, my mum raised me in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We lost the farm and the horses, but her resourcefulness opened unexpected doors: I found myself riding the horses no one else wanted — the ones labelled “difficult,” “dangerous,” or “disobedient.” They bucked, bolted, bit, and kicked… but they also taught me to listen, to question, and to wonder what they were trying to say. That curiosity became the thread that shaped everything that followed.

Over the years, I’ve ridden in show rings, across mountains, down bridle paths, and through the pages of every horsemanship, equine science, behaviour, and anatomy book I could get my hands on. I’ve worked with horses of every type, age, and temperament. I’ve used gadgets I now question and practiced techniques I’ve since outgrown. I’ve made mistakes, learned from them, and committed myself to asking better questions. Those early experiences with misunderstood horses taught me that behaviour is communication — not defiance — and that trust is something we earn, not something we demand. 

 

In 2011, I earned my certification in Equine Behaviour through the Ethology Academy of South Africa, which opened the door to understanding the science behind how horses learn and behave. Later, I obtained my Life Coaching certification and began exploring Evidence-Based Horsemanship and the Heartfelt Horsemanship method, which is when everything finally clicked into place. I stopped relying on other people’s steps and started truly thinking for myself - questioning, adapting, and shaping an approach that honours each horse as an individual.

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In 2017, my heart-horse, Anderstone Poco MidniteBlu ("Blu") finally came into my life. He remains my greatest teacher. His transformation — from reactive colt to grounded, thoughtful partner — mirrors my own evolution as a horsewoman. Together, we’ve navigated setbacks, injuries, and plenty of outdated advice. And together, we’ve built a relationship rooted in trust, clarity, and mutual respect — one I’m both humbled by and deeply proud of.

In 2024, I left a 13-year career in corporate professional services to pursue my true calling full time: equipping horses and humans with the tools to thrive by teaching not just what works, but why it works. I believe in lifelong learning, and I remain a student of every horse and person I meet. I bring scientific insight, lived experience, and emotional literacy to every session. I don’t teach “because that’s how it’s done”; I teach why it works, how it feels, and how to apply it so my students can succeed without me — adapting their knowledge to any horse, any situation, any goal. Every lesson I share is grounded in science, experience, and the kind of wisdom that comes from getting it wrong, reflecting deeply, and choosing better.

After three decades in the horse world, I’ve realised how little most of us truly understand about how horses operate — including many of the “experts” we spend a small fortune on. Much of what’s taught in riding schools has been passed down in a broken‑telephone fashion for generations, and plenty of so‑called professionals are still selling outdated ideas or outright nonsense. This doesn’t just limit our progress; it affects our horses’ physical and emotional wellbeing.

 

I believe every horse person — from the weekend rider to the competitive athlete — deserves access to the same quality of knowledge that the best trainers and behaviourists rely on. Understanding the science behind behaviour and biomechanics shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be the foundation of good horsemanship. That’s why it’s my mission to get accurate, compassionate, evidence‑based information out there — to empower everyday riders with the tools, insight, and confidence to make informed decisions for themselves and their horses.
 

That’s the heart of ZENITH Horse and Human. Whatever discipline you ride in — whether you’re here to refine your skills, rethink your training approach, deepen your connection, or explore personal growth through horses — I’d be honoured to walk beside you and help you achieve your goals. 

 

I’ve learned the hard way so you don’t have to!