They adopted five horses from an unknown fate; they sold everything they had.
Jackie and Noel trained the confused horses, and forced their own unfit bodies to meld into one team - life became horses, trail, endurance, and camping: all seven reliant on one another as they trekked along part of Australia's majestic Bicentennial National Trail.
They rescued five horses from an unknown fate. They sold everything they had.
Jackie and Noel trained the lost and confused horses, and forced their own unfit bodies to meld into one team. Life became horses, trail, endurance, and camping: all seven reliant on one another as they trekked along part of Australia's majestic Bicentennial National Trail.
What started as a dream adventure turned out to be more than they had ever imagined. The beauty of the trail didn't lessen its dangers; with minimal support and all their worldly possessions on horseback, Jackie and Noel made mistakes and with humour learned the hard way.
They were amateur horse-handlers, tackling an epic challenge, but they created something special, unique, and incredibly endearing.
Fears were faced, healed, and conquered. Bonds were forged. But did the team of seven that started together, finish together?
Saddle up and take a ride along life's natural trail of trauma, fear, pain, and loyalty.
Excerpt
Galloping down the mountain to find a gun to shoot one of our horses, I realised that I had bitten off more than I could chew.
My borrowed horse sensed my fear as we plunged down the trail. My mind focused on the gun, a necessity to terminate excruciating pain. There was a broken horse on the ridge. He had released a knowing groan as his fetlock snapped.
Plunge, jump, ford – I squeezed my aching legs around my brave mount. We both expelled urgent breaths from our flared nostrils. I had to find a gun!
Sweat and tears mingled, running clean streaks along my grubby face, my eyes stinging. My heart banged in my chest, while the horse’s heart thrummed beneath my calf muscles. Time slowed as if we hurtled through syrup.
I cursed Noel - it was his idea. Not to shoot the horse, but living with horses twenty-four seven while trekking along the Bicentennial National Trail (BNT). We had rescued five lost beasts that could have been destined for dog meat. Over many months of struggle, we had transformed the seven of us into a team.
Professional Reviews
An extraordinary adventure, told with searing honesty
A Standard Journey is more than a story of a couple adopting horses and deciding to tackle the Bicentennial Trail in Australia.
Instead, it is a story that shows how two people, already married for several years, continue to discover new strengths in each other through the most dire circumstances, and manage to do so with both humour and a humbleness that makes this such an enjoyable read.
Parry’s writing is candid, and she conveys her story with searing honesty. She pulls no punches when it comes to talking about the mistakes she made, and nor does she shy away from the difficult emotional journey that led her to undertake this next challenge in her life.
A Standard Journey is a story that will resonate with any animal lover, any adventurer, and anyone who enjoys reading about ordinary people achieving truly extraordinary things.
A Wonderful Book
Dear Jackie, I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your story. I probably would not have come upon it but I sustained a pelvic and sacral fracture on July 4th riding a young horse so I am grounded so to speak to a walker for six weeks. My friends and I love to trail ride and horse camp but we are not as adventurous as you and your wonderful husband! I appreciate all the hard work,joys, tears,and second guessing decisions. But I loved the book and will be sharing with my sisters and my sisters of the heart(horse buddies) who love them as we do. I appreciate you giving the horses a job and chance. I have two American mustangs, so many of which are either in holding facilities or sent to kill pens. Thank you for sharing your adventure! It was not only exciting but educational. Ever since Man from Snowy River my sisters and I dreamed of riding in Australia. Your book helped me experience it since I may not get there myself!! Great story telling!!!
Special and Unique
"Special and unique. This books, takes you through a full range of emotions, from joy to sadness, from excitement to fear. There is humour and tears throughout and everything in between. You will feel like you are on the journey, while the author tells her true life adventure from the heart. At the core of the book is Jackie's passion for horses. It is a true and inspirational story. I challenge any reader to not want to feel like selling up all and going on their own adventure. A beautifully written book - anyone who loves horses and who dreams of adventure should read!" Everything Horse UK
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