Meet our Founders
Sophie Heffernan
“The braver I am, the luckier I get.”
— Glennon Doyle
For as long as I can remember, horses have been a grounding force in my life. Growing up in rural Australia, they were part of the landscape but they also became part of my healing. My own story has shaped this work in a big way. In my late teens, I experienced a sudden and serious illness that turned life upside down. I went from being strong and independent to having to rebuild everything - my health, my confidence, even my sense of self. It was a confronting and humbling time. But throughout that long and uncertain recovery, the quiet presence of horses brought me back to myself. They gave me something solid to return to, space to simply be, without pressure or expectation.
Horses have always been part of my life, but it was during this time that I truly came to understand their impact. They were pivotal in helping me accept that change is part of the journey and that failure isn’t the end, it’s often just a step toward something greater. Horses taught me that growth doesn’t always look the way we expect it to, and they continue to play a role in how I navigate life today - still living with a chronic illness, still learning, and still finding strength through small, steady steps forward.
“There’s something about the inside of a horse thats good for the inside of a man”
— Winston Churchill
Through different chapters of my life, I’ve found myself holding tightly to an idea of how life should look, only to have the rug pulled out from under me, sometimes gently, sometimes all at once. One of the biggest learnings from those moments has been the importance of staying open to change, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s a lesson that sits quietly behind the heart of Reins to Resilience.
Through these lessons, I discovered a deep passion for supporting others, especially young people as they navigate their own path toward confidence, connection, and purpose. Whether it’s developing horsemanship skills that build confidence and a sense of accomplishment for both horse and rider, finding the courage to step forward (whatever that looks like) or learning to back yourself and lead with authenticity, I believe in creating spaces where growth feels natural, supported, and led at your own pace.
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of being involved in programs like the Classic Ladies Foundation Young Ambassador Quest and the Sydney Royal Ag Shows NSW Young Woman Competition. For me these experiences were a step out of my comfort zone, they weren’t about titles or recognition, they were about community. About showing up, lifting each other up, and realising the power of stepping into something greater than yourself. They reminded me just how much change is possible when people feel seen, supported, and believed in.
I’ve also come to deeply recognise the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, the kind who lift you up, cheer you on, and remind you of your own strength when you forget it. Because resilience isn’t just about pushing through, it’s about feeling supported, learning to trust yourself again, backing yourself with a bit of determination, and having the courage to just have a go.
Reins to Resilience was born from the lessons learned through recovery, the quiet wisdom of horses, and the strength of community. We created this space to support young people to find confidence to connect with who they are, feel supported in the hard stuff, and start building a life they’re proud of.
Genevieve Grainger
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
— Brené Brown
Hi, I’m Genevieve – a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, lifelong horse lover, and solo mum to a spirited little girl who reminds me every day why connection, courage, and kindness matter.
I was fortunate to be welcomed into the world of horses by the age of four. Coming from a non-horsey family, my three siblings and I didn’t realise how lucky we were at the time to have parents who sought out riding lessons for us on other people’s horses. We weren’t “born into” the horse world – but from that moment on, horses never left our childhood.
Growing up in a small, simplistic country town with a close knit community and the comforting presence and companionship of animals, I was offered a strong foundation in life. But even in that peaceful environment, I witnessed mental health struggles in those closest to me from an early age through to the formative teen years. These experiences deeply shaped me, sparking a quiet compassion and a desire to understand the emotional battles that often go unseen.
In my late teens and early twenties, I found myself facing the same internal storm — unsure of who I was, and disconnected from the self I thought I knew. I tried my hand at a few different paths – the army, working as a stationhand up north – but when I suffered a serious hand injury on a cattle station, I was sent back home. That period of recovery, as difficult as it was, became a huge silver lining: it opened my world up to the field of Occupational Therapy.
So I commenced my studies in OT and this led me to discover my deep passion for paediatrics. During this time, I was fortunate to witness and help facilitate equine-assisted therapy for children with complex disabilities – a turning point that blended my two worlds and lit a fire in me that still burns strong today.
Over the years, I’ve seen the magic that can unfold when children come together in a supportive, nature-based environment. Through recreation, play, and shared connection, they begin to trust – in others, in themselves – and real healing can take place.
But perhaps the most profound leg of this journey has come in recent years. While navigating motherhood and life as a busy therapist, I was diagnosed with a serious health condition that brought my life to a standstill. Just before I became unwell, I had bought a young mare – a decision that, in hindsight, feels like fate. This horse has walked beside me through some of my hardest days. Our journey together is not about recognition or results. It’s about spirit, surrender, and the quiet courage of showing up exactly as we are.
“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.”
— Pat Parelli
I’ll be honest – I am naturally competitive, and sometimes my inner perfectionist takes the reins. But my mare teaches me, again and again, to soften. To be present. To choose connection over control. And she’s done the same for my daughter, offering her comfort and healing in the most gentle, wordless way.
Reins to Resilience was born from all of this – the personal, the professional, the messy and the meaningful. I care deeply – fiercely – that every child and teen who comes to us feels seen, safe, and truly believed in. I believe in nurturing the authentic self from the beginning, so our young people don’t have to spend years unravelling layers that were never truly theirs. Horses offer that kind of space. Their presence, their mirroring, their unconditional acceptance… it creates something I can only describe as sacred.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to walking – or riding – alongside you and your young person, as we explore what’s possible when we trust in connection.