Scott Brodie
Professional horse trainer, coach, mentor and facilitator of programs connecting veterans and first responders with fellow high achievers – the Thoroughbred ex-racehorse – to provide emotional connections and bonds to heal from service trauma and improve overall wellbeing.
Scott Brodie is far more than an outstanding horseman. He has dedicated his life to coaching people whether that be in institutions, on the sporting field, or within the community in which he lives.
His career started as a horse trainer and riding instructor for the NSW Mounted Police. Two decades later his horse training techniques are still recognised by the mounted section and Scott continues to be called upon to assess and train potential police horses.
Scott’s practical coaching and mentoring skills have seen him working with inmates at the St Heliers Correctional Centre from 2012-2018 helping them develop interpersonal and horsemanship skills. He provided a mentor figure for many inmates who have never had a positive role model in their lives. Working with horses helps inmates learn skills such as empathy, commitment, control and also communication techniques which allow them to be better equipped to tackle problem solving and calm decision making; skills in much need once they leave the Centre. Scott has achieved outstanding results enabling many inmates to lead productive lives. Many of them work within the equestrian industry following their release.
From 2011-2020, Scott worked in the racing community including time spent with Racing NSW. He has since developed and led programs to re-train and educate Thoroughbred ex-racehorses as they leave the race track at the end their racing careers. This transformation from racehorse to riding horse has achieved outstanding success rates inspiring all involved. This work included a close connection between Godolphin racing stables and the TVWA to provide support to veterans experiencing service trauma and the retraining and rehoming of ex-racehorses.
As a stalwart member of the community, Scott has spent over 30 years as a coach for Surf Life Saving Australia and over 20 years coaching rugby union from schoolboy to national levels.
Scott’s personal experience of PTSD, following a near-death accident whilst volunteering as a surf lifesaver, enabled Scott to have the first-hand experience with the healing power of horses. A virtual lifeline was thrown by the NSW Mounted Police and he re-entered the world of horse training, allowing him to recover from clinical depression. His connection with these gentle giants slowly allowed Scott to recover from his depression and to recognise that fellow police officers experiencing similar challenges would benefit from working with ex-racehorses.
Scott’s extensive and intimate knowledge and understanding of horses combined with more than 30 years of getting the best out of people in many walks of life have attributed to his understanding of both the human and horse and he continues to have an empathetic, healthy and positive influence on all those he comes into contact with.