"You gotta go real slow."

These four words, spoken decades ago by Ronnie Willis, one of the pioneers of natural horsemanship made famous by "The Horse Whisperer", became the guiding principle of Kate Mably's life with horses. She has traveled from cowboys to classical masters, from Cornwall to Australia and the United States. She has dedicated herself to helping horses and humans communicate authentically. And through all of it, she has learned one profound truth: the fastest path is always the slowest one.

And Kate has honored those words ever since.

Kate's journey with horses began in childhood, a passion that never dimmed, never wavered, never settled for anything less than genuine partnership. She was not content with conventional methods that relied on force, submission or dominance. She wanted to find another way. A better way. A way built on understanding, respect and the horse's natural instincts.

So she studied. Relentlessly.

Kate traveled to the United States and Australia, seeking out horsemen and women who shared her vision of gentler training. She studied with Ronnie Willis, who worked alongside legends like Ray Hunt and Pat Parelli. She immersed herself in natural horsemanship, classical dressage and everything in between, from cowboys to classical riding masters. Her thirst for knowledge was and remains, insatiable.

Kate's path was never limited to horses alone.

Before dedicating herself fully to equestrian work, Kate walked a different road, one that would profoundly shape her understanding of connection, trust and transformation. From 1981 to 1986, she worked as a social worker with young offenders in Bristol through the Youth Opportunities Scheme. She facilitated group therapy sessions, developed tailored intervention programmes for at-risk youth, coordinated with legal agencies and monitored progress, adjusting plans to meet individual needs effectively.

It was demanding, emotional work. Work that required sensitivity, patience, the ability to see beyond behaviour to underlying pain and the courage to believe in people when they had stopped believing in themselves.

These years gave Kate something invaluable: a deep understanding of human psychology, trauma and the power of non-judgmental presence. Skills that would later become the foundation of her work as an equine facilitated coach.

After her years in social work, Kate supervised operations at the National Trust's Lanhydrock estate, then co-managed an organic farm and highly successful holiday company in Cornwall with her husband, Highcliffe Holidays, now run by her daughter, where they developed prime tourism land into over 50 properties.

But horses remained her true calling.

In 2000, Kate founded Bluehorse, a Natural to Classical Centre in Wadebridge, Cornwall, where she developed tailored training programmes for diverse equestrian needs, coordinated events showcasing classical riding and natural horsemanship, managed daily operations and built strong client relationships. For over two decades, Bluehorse became a sanctuary where horses and humans learned to communicate, where riders gained confidence and skill and where classical equitation met natural horsemanship in perfect harmony.

Kate's teaching philosophy was transformative. Her students noticed not just improved competition results but deeper understanding of dressage, of their horses and of themselves. They became elegant riders, confident partners and lifelong learners.

Kate's vision extended beyond riding instruction. She recognised something profound: horses mirror our behaviours, emotions and thoughts in a completely unique, non-judgmental way. They invite us to be authentic, present and honest. They reflect back our deepest emotions without filters or pretense.

This realisation led Kate to pursue formal training in coaching and equine facilitated learning. Between 2014 and 2018, she trained as a Horse Herd Coach. From 2018 to 2019, she completed her Master Coaching Diploma, becoming a certified Master Coach specialising in equine-assisted personal development.

Kate began traveling the world, running clinics, teaching, training and helping as many horses and riders as she could. She married her communication skills, her love of horses, her profound experience and knowledge, with her desire to enable people to grow and learn. She became a lifestyle coach, empowering people to focus on what they want from their lives by giving them tools and techniques to embrace change.

And then she met Angelika Schneider.

"I met Angelika, a passionate horsewoman, in London," Kate explains, "and she invited me to Alterreno."

The connection was immediate. Kate and Angelika shared a deep passion for horses built on connection, trust, skill and honesty. When Kate arrived in Tuscany, surrounded by beautiful countryside, amazing food and sunshine, her love for teaching and coaching instantly felt at home.

"Working with her and her students in such an inspiring setting has been a true privilege," Kate says. "It has been an honour to witness and contribute to Alterreno's growth. I am especially grateful for my journey with Angelika. She is a dynamic, intuitive, cultured, wonderful, open-minded woman with a strong presence and I deeply respect her horsemanship, her love for horses and her friendship."

Together, Kate and Angelika have met challenges, gained insights and enjoyed many memorable adventures.

"Alterreno feels like home to me," Kate says. "It reflects the values I hold most dear qualities that are becoming increasingly rare in today's world."

Now, set in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Kate offers private coaching at Alterreno Equestrian Centre. By working with the horse's natural ability, she guides clients to reconnect with nature and themselves, building confidence, gaining clarity and restoring a deep sense of balance in a calm, restorative and truly beautiful setting.