DEZ BECKERS  

HEAD COACH

Owner and Founder of Ridez Equestrian Centre and Rescue, Dez has turned her passion for horses and riding into a lifestyle. Dez developed her foundational skills for riding and coaching under some of the best instructors in Germany then went on to further her qualifications in Horsemanship, Dressage, Eventing, and more.  

When she arrived in Australia, her experience showed a deep need to develop a riding school where the relationship between rider and horse was at the forefront of their training alongside correct aids, technique, and position. Understanding these equine beauties, Dez felt it necessary to teach riders and horses to work together to achieve their desired results and each lesson contains education on horsemanship, connection, and trust. 

Ridez Equestrian has an ethos of establishing teamwork between horse and rider to ensure the rider develops the skills for a safe, smooth, and rewarding ride. 

Understanding how frustrations can arise, Dez creates space for every rider to learn at their own pace, ask questions, and be regularly supported throughout their learning journey. 

Dez has also fulfilled her studies in childcare and swim school, giving her a step up in understanding child development through learning which aids her every day with the young riders who think she is just the best!

Jo Mackinnon

Jo has been a volunteer coach for our juniors at RIDEZ since 2016. Her dedicated approach to assisting riders in reaching their potential while gently guiding them is nothing short of amazing. Our junior clients love her, she is an asset to the centre with all she does behind the scenes as well. 

Jo's interest in horses dates back to her childhood and she enthusiastically shares her passion with those around her. 

Jo has been riding for over a decade and tried various disciplines. Prior to working at RIDEZ, Jo experienced a bad accident that left her confidence shaken. Her ability to bounce back from this and work on achieving the level of confidence needed in riding, allows her to relate with her sometimes nervous juniors. Jo is a very kind rider and handler and always strives to advance her knowledge.