Steph is a Mum to a her nearly 7 year old son, a soldiers wife, and Operations manager for Forces Wives Challenge (FWC). In July 2019 Steph and her families' world was turned upside down when she became suddenly very unwell, and was subsequently diagnosed with a neurological disorder.

Going from an active, full time working Mum and a keen horse rider, to fully dependant on a wheelchair, with complex health issues and requiring 24/7 care to support with everyday tasks, was life changing. With sheer determination, an incredible support network and a passion for adventure, less than two years later Steph was back in the saddle and aiming for the next challenge in life.

Steph found her new 'place' within the FWC community amongst other women seeming adventure.

In June 2023 Steph tackled FWC’s ‘Ride to Freedom’ expedition and became the world’s first wheelchair dependant person to ride by horse back across the Pyrenees from France to Spain. Steph and her team battled extreme heat, a dangerous thunder and lightening storm, treacherous ground and long days in the saddle to complete the 130km route using the WW2 freedom trails.

Steph has now also founded her own CIC (non-profit) called Equine Para-adventures, which will seek to offer disabled horse riders their own equine adventures out of the usual riding school set up. In February 2026 Equine Para-adventures will start its flagship adventure called ‘Ride to Independence’ when a team of 6 ladies, including Steph, will ride a historic route across the Andes from Argentina to Chile and Steph will aim to complete it and gain another ‘worlds first’.

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Show notes

Who is Stephanie
Living on an army base in the West Midlands
Working for Forces Wives Challenges
20th June 2023 - first speaking with Stephanie on the TGP - Stephanie Quintrell - Forces Wives Challenge - Ride to Freedom across the Pyrenees mountains.
The Ride To Freedom Challenge
Planning the adventure in late 2021
Focusing on the fitness for the challenge and not the mental/emotional side
The challenges of getting on the plane and flying with a wheelchair
Working with a provider in France
The stress in the run up to the start and why it was a relief to start
Riding the horse in exactly the same was as anybody else does
Having exceptional core strength and balance
The incredible horses and the amazing job they did
Crossing a challenging bridge and why it was scary for multiple reasons
Managing emotions during stressful moments
Why adventure is calculated risk
Not feeling disabled while horseback riding
The lessons learned from the challenges
Gaining more independence back and feeling more confident
Being able to ask for and accept help
Deciding to set up Equine Para-adventures CIC
The plans for Feb 2026 in Argentina
Needing to find financial support
How to connect with Steph online
Final words of advice to encourage more women to step outside their comfort zone
Life’s too short - do something a scary to push yourself and see what you can achieve

Social Media

Equine Para-adventures CIC is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering the disabled community through a range of equestrian activities aimed at fostering inclusivity and enriching lives.

Website: www.equine-para-adventures.org

Instagram: @equine_para_adventures

Facebook: Equine Para-Adventures CIC

Personal

Instagram: @steph_backinthesaddle

Facebook: Stephanie Quintrell- disabled adventurer/para-equestrian

Forces Wives Challenge

Instagram: @forces_wives_challenge

Facebook: @forces_wives_challenge

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