Coach of the Month – October 2025

For Tasmanian coach Julie Targett, her introduction to coaching began not by design but by circumstance. Growing up in a regional area, she found herself helping out at her local pony club long before coaching became a formal pursuit.

“I probably fell sideways into coaching by accident,” Julie says. “My dad was the District Commissioner at our pony club and he said, ‘You’ll take the little kids, won’t you?’ From there, it evolved. Being in a more isolated area, people started asking, ‘Can you help me with my horse?’ and that’s really how it all began.”

Starting in her late teens, Julie soon discovered she had a natural ability to connect with riders. Over time, she decided to make it official and gain her Equestrian Australia coaching accreditation. “After a number of years I thought I should do something about accreditation,” she says. “The learning outcomes from completing my EA accreditation have been incredible. It really broadened my perspective in coaching, in how I handle different situations and in what I expect of both myself and my riders.”

When Julie reflects on how her coaching approach has evolved, she notes that her focus has changed from technical precision to personal growth and confidence. “Initially my approach was about how well I could make people ride. What could I teach them to make them ride better? But now it’s more about how I can help people get more out of their riding experience and their time with their horse,” she explains.

Her philosophy centres on helping riders develop the confidence to continue learning when their lesson ends. “What you do in a lesson, you should be confident to do when you’re not in a lesson,” she says. “It’s about people enjoying where they’re at in their journey and feeling capable of taking that knowledge home.”

Although Julie is best known for her work with Jumping riders, one of her most memorable coaching moments came in the Dressage arena. “One of my students, who I’d helped with flatwork, won Grade One Dressage at the Pony Club Trials by a long way,” she recalls proudly. “It was really rewarding because you can’t have a good Jumping horse without a decent canter, and that takes flatwork.”

When riders face challenges, Julie focuses on breaking goals into manageable steps. “I find goal planning really effective,” she explains. “Smaller goals are easier to achieve and build confidence. Setting small milestones helps people reach the big ones.” She believes that growth happens when riders feel supported. “Listening and truly hearing what someone is trying to tell you is so important,” she says. “The issue a rider describes isn’t always the real issue. You have to hear what they mean, not just what they say.”

Julie also finds that coaching benefits her own riding. “I always ride a lot better when I’m coaching a lot more,” she laughs. “We learn from each other. Sometimes I’m explaining something to a student and think, I should do that myself.”

Her approach is influenced by several key mentors over the years. “Judy Peel, Jo McFarlane, Judy Kilby and Lieutenant Colonel Joe Garfit-Mottram have all had a big impact on me,” she says. “I’ve worked extensively with them as a student and their guidance has shaped the coach I am today.”

When asked what her students would say about her, Julie laughs. “Loud. You have to be loud or no one can hear you. I don’t need a microphone.”

Her favourite exercise for students involves transitioning between two and three point positions in trot and canter. “It’s a simple but really effective tool to improve balance, position and awareness,” she explains.

If Julie were not coaching, she says she would probably be spending more time farming, but she is quick to add that she feels grateful for the life she has. “Coaching has given me so much. It’s not something I planned, but I can’t imagine not doing it now,” she says.

From local pony clubs to helping riders reach their goals, Julie’s story is one of practical wisdom and genuine care for the people she teaches and we congratulate Julie on being nominated as the EA Coach of the Month for October 2025.