Kelly Wilson
Number one bestselling author, award-winning photographer, reality television star, wild horse tamer, motivational speaker, liberty horsemanship specialist, equestrian, adventurer, and Certified Emotion Code and Body Code Practitioner (CEMP and CBCP), Kelly Wilson lives a diverse and meaningful life with horses.
Having grown up with horses in rural New Zealand, Kelly showjumped to Pony Grand Prix level before focusing on her creative talents. After winning a scholarship to the Auckland University of Technology, she graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design before going on to become an award-winning photographer and designer.
In 2012, alongside her sisters Vicki and Amanda, Kelly began her journey with wild horses, taming 11 wild Kaimanawa horses and raising awareness about the plight of wild horses worldwide. Their work with New Zealand’s Kaimanawa horses, American Mustangs, and Australian Brumbies featured in two documentaries and the hit television series Keeping Up With The Kaimanawas, watched by over half a million New Zealanders and screened internationally.
The Wilson sisters were subsequently invited to compete in wild horse competitions around the world. Kelly’s success with her Mustang mare Jackie, her Brumby mare Shyla, and countless Kaimanawa stallions has made her the only trainer in the world to achieve top six finishes in the Extreme Mustang Makeover (USA), Australian Brumby Challenge (AUS), and Kaimanawa Stallion Challenge (NZ).
Since 2013, when Penguin Random House commissioned the Wilson sisters’ autobiography For the Love of Horses, Kelly has gone on to publish 21 books. These include multiple bestselling non-fiction titles, the children’s book Ranger, the Kaimanawa Stallion, the Showtym Adventures junior fiction series, and collaborative works such as Showtym Viking and The Wilson Sisters’ Guide to Horses and Ponies. Her bestselling book Wild Horses of the World was informed by several months spent living alongside wild horses in Canada, America, Australia, Portugal, and New Zealand between 2018 and 2020.
In recent years, Kelly has continued to advocate for wild horses on a global scale, taming over 250 wild horses. Alongside her work with wild horses, she has developed a strong passion for liberty horsemanship, winning Equidays Top Talent in 2018 and performing at many of the nation’s leading equestrian events.
Her extensive knowledge of wild horses, equine behaviour, and horsemanship has gained her international recognition. She is a popular guest on podcasts and at equestrian events and has appeared in numerous television programs and magazines.
Kelly’s training philosophy is relationship-focused, with a strong emphasis on understanding and reading a horse’s body language. She prioritises relaxation, trust, and clear communication to ensure each horse can learn confidently and willingly.
Since 2021, Kelly has also incorporated vibrational communication and energy healing into her training, combining these complementary techniques with traditional horsemanship to offer a holistic approach to developing both wild and domestic horses.
Grateful for the opportunities that have come from working with horses, Kelly credits her family and unconventional upbringing for shaping her work ethic, resilience, and passion. Her journey continues to inspire people around the world to advocate for horse welfare and to pursue meaningful partnerships with their horses.