Meet a Globetrotter: Bernadette Kelly

Meet children’s author Bernadette Kelly (pictured above), who has the very popular Riding High and Pony Patch series to her name. When she’s not writing, Bernadette loves nothing more than joining us on our horse riding holidays. Read on to learn more about Bernadette and her Globetrotting addiction!

What was your first Globetrotting ride?
My first Globetrotting ride was in Kenya, Africa, in the Maasai Mara. After the ride we flew to Uganda and trekked into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see the mountain gorillas. What an adventure!

What made you take the plunge and sign up for this ride?
I was at Equitana in Melbourne in 2010. As I walked past the globetrotting stand I noticed a photo of a ride in amongst a herd of zebra and thought, I want to do that. It turned out to be the most exhilarating and exciting experience of my life.

What Globetrotting rides have you since completed?
I’ve done two rides in Patagonia; one in Chile and another in Argentina. Every ride I complete just whets my appetite for the next one.

What is your most memorable Globetrotting moment?
There are just so many, but I think it was the day we saw the elephant circle. We’d been following from a respectful distance a large herd of cows and their calves for quite some time. The elephants must have decided our little group of riders might be a danger. They gathered all their babies in together, then formed a perfect circle around them, with the mothers facing out to the perceived ‘threat’. The sky over the savanna was grey and stormy that day and the long yellow grass seemed to glow in contrast. I have never forgotten the sight, of those amazingly intelligent creatures protecting their young in such an organised and efficient manner. It was just so breathtakingly beautiful and I felt so privileged to be there to witness it.

Why choose this type of travel? As in exploring a new country from the back of a horse?
I am afraid this has spoiled me for other travel to some extent. I love the feeling of getting close to the land, the uniqueness of the landscapes and the thrill of being immersed in nature. There is nothing quite like the blend of doing the thing I love most, which is riding, while breathing in the sounds and sights of exotic destinations. It’s exhilarating in the extreme.

What is your favourite safari horse of all time and why?
That’s a hard one, the horses I’ve ridden on my Globetrotting rides have all been brilliant. There was the lovely little pocket rocket, Mary; the elegant Pitooka, fun and speedy Dandy, or the very special and memorable Picada. Sorry Kate, I just can’t choose a favourite. Loved them all.

A tip that every globetrotter should know before going on a ride…
It’s more of a warning: Globetrotting rides are highly addictive.

Finish this sentence – Don’t leave home without…
A sense of adventure.