Michelle O’Neill – VALE
Training & Horsemanship
VALE – 14/08/2024
Michelle O’Neill, of Cherry Tree Equine, has been a presenter at EQUITANA since 2012, firstly with the EQUITANA Horse Wyse Kids Interactive in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and then in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022 as an educator/presenter in her own right. She has presented topics such as ‘Finding your Ideal Equine Partner’, ‘Happy Trails and ‘Enjoying the Trail – it shouldn’t be daunting’. Michelle grew up with horses and competed in many disciplines, she had recently qualified to compete in the Barrel Racing at EQUITANA in November. A well respected and very talented horsewoman with a heart of gold and a smile to brighten your day. Michelle loved her EQUITANA family and we loved her involvement. The team at EQUITANA send their sympathy to Michelle’s family and friends.
Michelle was involved with horses her whole life. Michelle commenced her riding career doing stock work on the family farm before joining Pony Club at Adaminaby and then Cooma.
Whilst at Pony Club, Michelle participated in everything from sporting to jumping, tent pegging to showing. From these experiences, she developed a strong interest in dressage.
After several years of dressage competition, Michelle changed tack and started rodeoing, specialising in barrel racing and steer undecorating. It was the love of the calm temperament of the Quarter Horse, and her interest in breeding true all round competitors, that lead her to start breeding her own horses to compete on. Michelle competed beyond the rodeo arena in such things as camp drafting, western pleasure, reining and showing at halter.
An experienced educator; Michelle conducted clinics across the country and at her home under her business Cherry Tree Equine. She had a strong reputation for instilling confidence in all her students. She used both ground and ridden work; the same principles that enabled her to train many horses for herself and others.
In 2023 Michelle launched Cherry Tree Virtual; a complete training program for horse people that shows real horses and real horse problems. There is no smoke or mirrors; just honest horsemanship with real solutions that anyone can achieve.
Michelle wrote a training article for each edition of the Australian Performance Horse Magazine. She previously had her own Question and Answer column in HorseWyse Magazine.
She co-produced the DVD “Please…Can I Have A Pony”, with Horsewyse Magazine.
Michelle was planning to attend EQUITANA in November and will be sorely missed.
