It had been 15yrs since I owned a horse and competed in a horse discipline. The longing to own and ride horses again in a competitive nature had been calling me. Career and life had gotten in the way of my once beloved passion.
I started to look into what endurance horse riding was all about. I loved the idea of horse riding and seeing the different countryside whilst also having a competitive nature to it.
“Boy oh Boy” there is a lot to it for a beginner endurance rider, and it can be overwhelming!
So, when I saw an article in the local bulletin about “Nicker and Whinny” offering personal coaching for Endurance riders I jumped at the chance. The alternatives were me spending years fumbling through the sport and making lots of mistakes.
Sonya Ryan (founder) took me under her wing and coached me through the following;
Buying a horse – yes, I did not even own a horse!
Sonya was able to coach me through the entire process and was able to introduce me to potential endurance horses through her personal network. This is an invaluable experience. I purchased a lovely experienced open endurance horse who has been a determent to my experience this year.
What equipment to buy and where to buy – I was also given a 10% discount voucher to these stores.
Training program - Sonya designed a personal training and feeding program for my horse.
The Vetting in and out process
How to strap a horse
The list goes on and on…..
I managed to become an open endurance horse rider in my first year of endurance riding, something I could not have done without Sonya’s coaching and guidance.
Sonya is a very patient and caring coach who wants you to have a fun and an enjoyable experience.
I highly recommend “Nicker and Whinny” (Sonya Ryan) services to anyone who is new to the sport or who is wanting to improve their own skill set within the sport.
“See you out on track”
Kelly Broderick
"Sonya has given me the confidence after over ten years of not riding to get back onto a horse. She has the amazing ability to ensure you feel safe and comfortable yet at the same time encouraging you to push yourself to conquer personal goals. She is an amazing coach for people of all ages and levels of riding. I look forward to many more years of riding, learning and improving with the support of Sonya at my side."
Dale Innes
"I first met Sonya at a presentation at my local pony club and was instantly drawn to her obvious passion for the sport of endurance. From there I did some lessons with her on her stunning gelding, Farouk. I hadn't ridden any horses other than a fat beginners horse named Mustrafa for nearly three years and was a nervous rider, however, with Sonya's guidance I easily transitioned to Farouk who was a big step up for me.
My confidence absolutely skyrocketed, as Sonya allowed me to practice in a safe and nurturing environment. I have since leased Farouk and we have developed a very strong bond.
Sonya has lead me and Farouk to success in endurance, and without her guidance, I would not have conquered any of my goals.
To me, Sonya is a coach, mentor and an all-round support person. I am honoured to be part of the Nicker & Whinny team & I hope that I will be under Sonya's guidance for many years to come."
Tayla Innes
Sonya and Louis Ryan from Nicker and Whinny Endurance have been instrumental in helping us take our endurance journey to the next level. They have given us the confidence and autonomy to trust in ourselves, apply the knowledge we have gained, and continue building on our skills as riders and horse owners.
Since working with them, our confidence has grown tremendously, and the positive changes we have made are clearly reflected in both our horses’ performance and our own development as riders. Their guidance has empowered us to make informed decisions while always keeping horse welfare at the forefront.
Both Sonya and Louis are patient, kind, understanding, and generous with their time. They take the time to explain not only what to do, but also why it matters, making the learning process both enjoyable and rewarding. Sonya has been exceptional in helping develop training plans tailored to Mark, Maddison, and their horses, providing ongoing support and encouragement every step of the way.
We always look forward to our trips to Kholo for training weekends. They provide a fantastic opportunity to refine our skills, learn new techniques, challenge ourselves, and connect with like-minded people in a supportive environment.
We are incredibly grateful for the knowledge, encouragement, and friendship Sonya and Louis have shared with us and would highly recommend Nicker and Whinny Endurance to anyone looking to grow and succeed in endurance riding.
Mark, Natalie & Maddison Liesegang - Horses: Thunder & Elvis
We reached out to Sonya from Nicker and Whinny Endurance to utilise her coaching services to complete additional longer training rides with us at Lake Manchester in preparation for the Tom Quilty 2026. We wanted to have access to more of the wonderful training trails on offer at Lake Manchester. Sonya’s guidance also provided valuable insight into pacing, ride-specific preparation, and building confidence over extended distances, complementing our existing coaching programme that we currently have in place. Her structured approach to Endurance riding was valuable in how to manage effort, nutrition, and consistency during longer sessions.
We appreciated her knowledge and support in this specialised area and found her advice very beneficial in preparation for the Tom Quilty 2026. We would highly recommend Sonya to anyone looking to improve their performance and confidence in Endurance riding.
Maree & Annie
Horses: Flicker & Earl