Para Horse Rider Crosses The Pyrenees: A World First With Stephanie Quintrell
Adventure Diaries: Exploration, Survival & Travel Stories
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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
