1. Bio
Coach and instructor for backcountry riders and thru-riding experiences, passionate about horses and life in the great outdoors. Graduate, with a master’s degree in Agricultural Education, founder and owner of Gillian Larson Wilderness Horsemanship. In 2014, she became the youngest person to travel the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trial between Mexico and Canada solo. Since then, she has travelled over 14,500 miles on horseback as a lone rider. Her mission – today – is to ready new aspiring backcountry riders using an ethical approach to travel, in which harmony with nature – combined with understanding and respect for one’s equine travel companion – are the basis and key to the absolute success and enjoyment of the endeavour.
2. The power of a dream
It’s an explosive sensation, something that I, in fact, discovered quite out of the blue! When your dream comes knocking, you soon discover the difference between having plans and really connecting with that dream. In my case, the magic happened with my first Pacific Crest Trial: a course that I didn’t even know existed, which I sandwiched between my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I had, of course, set out in search of a wonderful experience, but this, instead, ended up revolutionising my life! Every mile travelled changed my perception of both myself and the world around me. The feeling of immenseness and the vivid connection to life that I felt – I realised there and then that the plans I had before were simply too small. I wanted something more, something rewarding and meaningful, capable of maintaining that echo of freedom I felt, and perhaps even amplifying and extending it further. This is how I came to work as a trainer.
3. My journey into real beauty
“Stay indoors, don’t go alone and be careful” are all things that most of us hear growing up, and this only serves to instil within us the belief that the world is a dangerous place. Seeing a person blossom as they let go of their burdens and fears is the spectacular act of metamorphosis that I have the privilege of witnessing while preparing individuals for thru-riding. Enjoying nature and open spaces, and feeling that deep bond with the horse that accompanies you on your journey, experiencing that – with a custom-designed project – you can indeed feel safe and in control. Feeling, living, savouring freedom and the absence of fear is a life-changing journey, understanding that you have the tools to govern this process is an incredibly powerful means to redemption. Beauty isn’t about how you look, it’s about how you live!
4. What I learned and won’t let go
We often feel inadequate because we use a measure decided by others. There is no absolute right or wrong in terms of tool kit or path. It all depends on knowing how to listen to yourself, to understand what YOU really need on that specific journey. We women are – by nature – less attached to the ego and more willing to adapt: we learn to use this to our advantage, freeing ourselves from the stereotypes and fears that society throws at us from an early age. My dream is for us to be able to grow up with new beliefs, with equal opportunities and without the fear of something or someone continuing to be a limiting factor affecting our dreams and aspirations.
