The Journey Behind the
Book
Bestseller
The Journey Behind the Book
I first brought Banksy home from Victoria at the start of the CopRice 150-Day Australian Brumby Challenge, where I had been selected as one of the trainers
competing alongside some of the most skilled female horsewomen in the country.
The Challenge is a structured program designed to demonstrate the intelligence,
adaptability, and value of Australia’s wild horses.
Banksy’s own journey began in 2022 when he wandered into the Barmah Brumby Preservation Group’s sanctuary as a lone stallion, stressed, isolated, and unsure of his place. He struggled to integrate with the other brumbies so the BBPG made the decision to transfer him to the Victorian Brumby Association to be considered for the 2024 Challenge.
When trainer assignments were released, Banksy was paired with me. I still remember the BBPG’s parting words: “I hope you like a challenge.” Looking back that was an accurate preview of what lay ahead.
I expected a challenge, of course. What I didn’t expect was how much this single brumby would teach me, reshape the ay I train, and eventually inspire an entire children’s book.
Bestseller
A Horse Under Stress
It became clear early on that Banksy was a particularly troubled horse, what some might describe as “dangerous” id describe as a horse who had learned to survive by being hyper-aware, cautious, and on guard. His reactions weren’t misbehaviours; they were survival strategies.Understanding that was the first step toward helping him.
Learning to Listen First, Train
Second
Banksy forced me to slow everything down. Every small win mattered: a softer eye, a deep exhale, a step toward me instead of away, a mouthful of feed taken without tension. Instead of focusing on how much he should be achieving for the Challenge
timeline, I had to focus on what he was capable of that day.
It wasn’t glamorous work. It wasn’t fast. Some days it felt like we were really stuck.
But over time, Banksy began responding to consistency, predictability, and choice. He needed clear communication and a partner who recognised the difference between fear and defiance. He was the embodiment of progress isn’t linear, especially with wild horses, and that building emotional security comes before any physical skill.
The Turning Point Was Trust
There was no dramatic breakthrough moment with Banksy. There were hundreds of small, practical ones. His breathing softened. His posture changed. He started watching instead of reacting. He allowed contact, pressure, direction, and eventually partnership.
The more I learned to listen to him, the more he opened up.
And the more he opened up, the more I realised how misunderstood many brumbies are and how important their stories are to tell.
Bestseller
Where We Stand Today
Banksy is now healthy, settled, and thriving, both physically and mentally. Earlier in his training journey, he was diagnosed with three severe tooth root abscesses that had spread into the bone of his jaw. The prognosis was stark, he would need costly surgical intervention to remove the affected teeth, or he would need to be humanely euthanised to end his pain.
Thanks to incredibly generous donations from the community, the full amount for his surgery was raised in less than 24 hours. That support quite literally saved his life. The procedure gave him the chance to live without the constant pain he had been carrying for far too long, pain we now believe was a major factor behind his reactivity and defensive behaviours.
Today, with that burden finally gone, Banksy’s true nature has been able to shine through.
When people see his before-and-after photos and videos, they see a transformation. I see the hundreds of small decisions that made that transformation possible, choosing patience over pressure, understanding over frustration, and welfare over deadlines.
He may have started as my Brumby Challenge horse, but he became the reason I chose to share our journey with the world. His impact goes far beyond training sessions or competition scores. He became the face of a story that promotes empathy, resilience, and the value of Australia’s wild horses.
This is the real heart of our story, not a fairytale, not a rapid success, but a genuine journey built on learning, adapting, and respecting the horse in front of you.
And if that inspires even one young reader to treat animals and themselves with patience and understanding, then Banksy’s story has already done its job.
Why Banksy Became a Book
The idea for Banksy the Brave Brumby didn’t come from wanting to write a book. It came from wanting children (and their parents) to understand what bravery and vulnerability actually look like in horses and within themselves.
Banksy’s journey is a perfect example of: howstress affects behaviour
• how environment shapes responses
• howpatience builds confidence
• howpositive reinforcement and calm handling change outcomes
• howa horse can grow when given time and trust
And how in order to form authentic connections you must allow yourself to be vulnerable
His story isn’t just cute. It’s educational. It shows that being “brave” doesn’t mean being bold or fearless, it means learning, trying, and adapting even when things feel overwhelming.
That’s a message children can carry with them long after they finish the book.