Among many encounters experienced in the world of horses, there is an important one… a person who left me a special impression.
Isha Judd is Australian but can be considered “daughter of the world” due to her trips in many countries. She decided to bring her horses to Italy, in the region of Abruzzo where they will be trained.
The choice fell on the new born stables “La Divina” property of Mirco Mazzocchetti and of Oscar Bacot owner of the farm Aras de l’Alma in Punta de l’Este together with his wife Veronica Koncke, a well known rider in Italy too.
His horses will start training in Italy and then they will depart to different destinations attending Italian races first.
“The embassador of peace” Isha ia a smart entrepreneur who made of her style of life and way of thinking a world wide business.
Isha is a spiritual teacher who invented the Isha Method, a revolutionary system of self development based on concepts of love and peace. A way of thinking free of dogmas and standard philosophies, a concrete experience of peace and love for one’s self, away from superficial daily life.
Isha owns two main centers in Mexico and Uruguay where she also owns several horses. It would be interesting to read her book “ Why walk when you can fly”, published in different languages and present in most world bookstores. You can have more info on www.isha.com
She holds conferences everywhere and people who usually attend her meetings go from the small entrepreneur to the politician. People from different social classes but all seeking for energy and motivation.
Many books and films have been dedicated to this topic and the image of the horse is often present.
She’s often invited at different events and she’s always happy to participate. After the race in Florac where she will ride on Paprika de Ghazal, a horse that lives at “La Divina”, she will depart to Chile to give psychological support of the 33 miners trapped underground.
We’re not surprised to see that such a strong and brave woman fell in love with the world of endurance, her lively life always takes her around the world but in her free time she looks for new races to run.
It will be a pleasure for us to have her here in Italy. She will choose to run the races that agreed to be part of the Ranking Tour 2011, a project that will be welcomed in Verona during the popular horse event “Fiera Cavalli”, partner of the Tour.
We were able to interview Isha before her departure to Florac.
Intewiev
1) How did you first get in touch with the world of endurance?
Since the age of 15 I was involved in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry. I became one of the first female horse trainers in the country, at a time when it was not considered a woman’s profession. I worked for almost 20 years in that area; horses were my life. For ten years, I was without contact with horses and it was during this period of time that I established my teachings and centres throughout South America. When I moved to Uruguay, I found the opportunity to unite my two passions: consciousness and horses. My friend Nacho Flores of Haras La Perseverancia in Costa Azul, Uruguay, where the Panamerican took place last year, introduced me to Endurance racing. I had no idea what Endurance was, and when he showed me a funny little Arab horse with a sway back, and informed me that I would be riding that, I just looked at him, aghast! Because everything I do, I wish to do to the best of my ability, I started riding this little horse and realised that his heart was as big as any of the magnificent thoroughbreds I had trained over the years, and I started to fall in love with him. After the first race, I was addicted, and from then on, there was no looking back. I started with one horse and within three years, I have 33. I think one of the most poignant aspects of endurance that really touches me profoundly is that the horse is always the first consideration. How incredibly important it is for me to be constantly aware of my mount, his needs, his strengths and also his fragilities; as noble as they are, they will push themselves beyond their own capacities. It is truly a team effort. I find the world of Endurance absolutely intoxicating and delightful. My passion for horses and racing combined.
2) What are your future projects on endurance?
To continue running; I am preparing several horses to take to the Panamerican in Chile next year, and hope to come to Europe to race too. I will also be sending horses to the Young Riders Championship in Europe and Brasil.
3) We Know that you brought some of your horses in Mirco Mazzocchetti and Oscar Bacot Stables in italy. Why this country? Do you intend to extend you business in italy too?
I met Mirco through Veronica Knocke and Oscar Bacot, her husband. I trust them very much and can see that to have horses here, being trained with such care, with local terrain that is quite different from the conditions where I live, will be excellent. I plan to have at least two horses here, ready for me to come and race when the opportunity arises.
4) Which is your biggest dream?
As I mentioned before, I am a spiritual teacher and through my book WHY WALK WHEN YOU CAN FLY? I share my vision of world peace, of each human being looking themselves in the mirror every morning and feeling love for themselves, being at peace with themselves and enjoying the wonders of life. That is my biggest dream. But on a more horsey note, my dream would be to participate in every principle national championship of Endurance, and of course, I wouldn’t mind winning! But completing Florac would be a great start!
I always say “When I heal myself I bring peace to the world”, and I extend this invitation to my peers in the world of Endurance: if each of us can find peace within ourselves, our world will become a mirror of that.
Thanks Luca, very much.
ISHA
