Up Close and Personal: Tori Jeffress—Classical Dressage & Liberty Riding

Loz
Feb 26
4 min read

Sit Down with a Cuppa and Get to Know Tori

Ever wondered what truly goes into supporting horses and their humans through holistic coaching, wellbeing, and equine‑centred connection? We sat down with Tori Jeffress, an equine coach, mentor, and lifelong horsewoman whose work blends intuition, experience, and genuine care.

From the joys of working with unique horse personalities to the quiet lesson's horses teach us every day, Tori opens up about the journey behind her practice and the heart that drives her work.

Q1: Tori, what part of your personal journey do you think most influences how you coach now?

“Growing up on our family farm, with parents who have been encouraging and supportive throughout my life. This life has taught me resilience both with myself and also to have patience and understanding with my life, horses and other people.

Learning and growth are a never-ending journey; my teaching style is a reflection of the ways in which I have found I learn best. When I was younger, I hated when coaches yelled at me, I would freeze up and become braced in my body, my anxiety levels rising and ability to process information becoming almost non-existent. The way I coach offers patience and understanding that everyone is on their own journey with their horse. Every journey, horse and person are different and at different stages. There is no "system" in the way I teach, every lesson is tailored specifically for those individuals (horse and human) and their partnership.”

Q2: If you had to describe your business in five to ten words, what would they be?

"Hmm, that's a hard one, because when people ask what I do I tell them, "Well it's kind of dressage, but more about functional movement, biomechanics and rehabilitation". I know, I know, that's not 5-10 words but that's the best I can do! Haha"

Q3: What part of your work lights you up the most at the moment?

"The best feeling for me is watching partnerships between horse and human go from strength to strength. It warms my heart watching horses that were once unsound, unwilling or even labelled dangerous rehabilitate to become happy, healthy and confident beings once again.

I also love watching people grow and develop their skills, each of them positively contributing to the welfare of horses in their own way."

Q4: What’s one subtle cue from horses that you wish more people noticed or understood?

"I think if there is anything we could be better at as humans; it is being present. Being mindful, instead of having our minds-full. Our horses are communicating with us all of the time. When we are able to clear our minds and be there in the moment, the subtilties of our horse's communication becomes easier to recognise and respond to."

Q5: Where do you see your coaching and equine wellbeing work evolving over the next few years?

"Over the next few years, I would love to expand my coaching to help horse and human combinations all over the world."

Q6: What does a perfect, soul‑filling day with your horses look like?

"A perfect soul filling day with my horse could be anything from working with them to just sitting in the paddock with them while they graze. Connection and friendship with a horse who I enjoy being in the presence of."

Q7: What’s your favourite part of working with horse owners and their horses?

"Hearing every individual's story and their horse's story. I feel blessed to be a part of each and every student's journey, sharing the ups, downs, smiles, tears, hard lessons and wins. I learn just as much from working with my students and their horses as they learn from me."

Q8: If horses could choose the way they like to learn or be supported, what do you think they’d ask for?

"I think if our horses could choose the way in which they would like to be supported they would want their owners to listen to their intuition above all else. You know YOUR horse better than any trainer, vet or equine professional. If advice doesn't feel right, trust yourself and listen to what you feel is best for you and your horse."

Q9: What’s something surprising you’ve learned about how horses respond to human energy and communication?

"Did you know that the electromagnetic field generated by a horse is 5 times the size of a humans, sometimes more! In just 30 seconds a horse's heart rhythm can synchronise to that of a human. Meaning a horse can feel your coherence or your emotional imbalance just by being within 9 metres of you!"

Q10: If you could spend a day with any famous horse (real or fictional), who would it be and why?

"Mr Ed, who doesn't wish their horse could speak English?!"

Final Thoughts & Insider Info

Some little fun facts about Tori:

People in the horse world know me as a horse enthusiast, coach and trainer; imagining that I spend day in and day out working with horses and teaching people.
People in my hometown know a different side of me. The side who spends her days mustering large mobs of sheep and goats, with the other 4-legged loves of my life- my 7 kelpie working dogs.
The truth is my life is a mix of both, I love my horses and coaching, but I also love the farm and my life there.

Want to have an online lesson with Tori? Book Now!