Biomechanics Lecturer Colleen Kelly, MISBS, EFA - NJAS Official Judge (Retired, President, Vaulting Victoria, started her career in exercise physiology, working in rehabilitation gymnasiums, and now, some 30 years later, is one of most sought-after speakers around the world.

Colleen spent 8 years with the University of NSW which developed her great interest in research, and as the previous Spokeswoman for the WorkCover Authority of NSW, Colleen’s elite lecture circuit includes Equestrian Federations around the world, and world-class conferences such as Equine Extravaganza, Equine Affaire, Sporthorse Expo, EquineXpo and Equitana.

They say "you get it from your family" & Colleen's great grandmother Mary Louise Berry (b.1836) was well known for training animals and breaking horses, and, probably because of her petite size, was unable to do the rough "rope them down" methods.

This kind method of breaking was followed by Colleen's Grandfather, Alan Manuel. Colleen has always trained animals learning carefully from her mother, Gwen Kelly who not only was a master horsewoman, but able to train trick animals - even able to train cats to do every animal trick you can think of!

Gwen rode for the very last time in the "Spirit of Pharlap" show at the age of 76, before recently passing away.   She is missed desperately, and her training ledged goes on.

Colleen owned, trained and performed with the well known 'Rex the Wonderhorse', and Patch the Wonderdog at shows and performances & many charity and fundraising events around Australia.

Colleen always rode, but first competing in endurance riding, later switching to polocrosse and doing a few highly successful campdrafts, then for many years showing with "Thendara Old Times".

After the massive 18hh "Old Times" was scarred in a paddock accident, Colleen switched to dressage, and has had a string of highly successful dressage horses.

After moving to Melbourne, Victoria, Colleen continued her passion with quadrilles, freestyles and musical rides and is often seen behind the scenes at many gala evening performances.

Colleen is well-known for receiving a remarkable 100% in her Official Dressage Judge's Exam, however it’s her “Irish Sense of Humor” and fun presentations that keep audiences around the world laughing, and has seen her awarded with 3 separate awards from Riding for Disabled.

Colleen has judged at Agricultural & Royal Shows, State Titles and National Championships in Arabs, appaloosas, quarter horses, warmbloods, eventing and dressage, and has many pupils on State and National Squads around the world.

Somewhere along the line, the trick riding and performing developed into the more formal sport of vaulting, and Colleen is the current President of Vaulting Victoria.

So after endurance riding, polocrosse, campdraft, showing, dressage, judging, performance & trick training and vaulting, (and her partner Nick's involvement in Western Pleasure) combined with her studies in exercise physiology & biomechanics, Colleen has had one of the most remarkable all-round careers in horse riding.

If you like to have fun while you learn, Colleen is the clinician to see!

First Riding Lesson??

Colleen at approx 7 years old at the Collison's "Guy Gallen" Moonan Flat, NSW. Australia  From Left: "Aunty" Elaine Collison, Shauna Kelly (Sister), Colleen (on the front), Gwen Kelly (Mum), Sid Collison (with the "safety thongs!")

The massive 18hh show horse turned to dressage "Thendara Old Times"
 

Colleen is well known for training trick animals, especially the famous Rex the Wonderhorse and here with Patch the Wonderdog.
 

The quiet achievers.  At home with one of the most respected and loved people in the horse riding profession.  Colleen's partner Nick and Hawkeye (who we recently donated to Riding for Disabled, Launceston).