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Para Horse Rider Stephanie Quintrell Crosses The Pyrenees  In A World First Expedition.

In 2023, Stephanie Quintrell became the first wheelchair-dependent woman to traverse the Pyrenees on horseback — five days in the saddle, over 130 kilometres from France into Spain, following the World War II Freedom Trails. In this episode, Steph shares how a sudden 48-hour illness in July 2019 changed her life, the bond with her horse Bubba that pulled her through, what it took to ride that mountain pass, and her next world-first attempt: crossing the Andes from Argentina to Chile in February 2027.

Chapters

  • 00:00 — Freedom in the Saddle
  • 01:01 — Welcome & Episode Intro
  • 02:43 — Meet Stephanie Quintrell
  • 03:52 — Growing Up with Horses
  • 06:46 — Riding Across Scotland
  • 08:21 — Meeting John & Becoming a Military Wife
  • 10:46 — 48 Hours That Changed Everything
  • 12:56 — Diagnosis: Functional Neurological Disorder
  • 15:27 — Grief, Identity & Rebuilding
  • 19:33 — The Bond That Pulled Her Through
  • 22:35 — Back in the Saddle
  • 28:15 — Forces Wives Challenge
  • 32:51 — Ride to Freedom: Crossing the Pyrenees
  • 34:16 — The Mérens Horses
  • 37:14 — Adapted Tack & Riding Gear
  • 38:15 — Day One on the Trail
  • 40:56 — Weather, Teamwork & Trust
  • 46:22 — A Day Without the Wheelchair
  • 48:35 — Crossing into Spain
  • 51:28 — What's Next: Equine Para Adventures
  • 54:01 — Ride to Independence: The Andes 2027
  • 58:10 — Inspiring Others to Adventure
  • 1:03:53 — Pay It Forward: Adaptive Grand Slam
  • 1:05:18 — Call to Adventure: Get on a Horse
  • 1:07:34 — 10 Quickfire Questions
  • 1:11:43 — Where to Find Stephanie Quintrell

Key Takeaways

  • A sudden onset: Steph went from full-time working mum and competitive rider to losing the ability to walk within 48 hours in July 2019, later diagnosed with Complex Functional Neurological Disorder.
  • Horses as freedom: In the saddle she's independent — able to access mountains and trails her wheelchair can't reach.
  • A world first: Five days, 130+ km, ascents to 2,500 m across the Pyrenees, following WWII Freedom Trails on native Mérens horses.
  • The wheelchair stayed strapped to the pack pony: On the toughest day, she spent nine hours out of her wheelchair entirely.
  • Next up: Ride to Independence — crossing the Andes from Argentina to Chile, up to 4,400 m, February 2027.


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The Adventure Diaries Podcast also covers a broad spectrum OF topics withIN the fields of Adventure, Exploration, Micro-adventure, Survival, Mental Resilience, Conservation, Scotland, Hiking, Solo Travel, Cycling, Nature, Storytelling, Mountaineering

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