Sarah Wheeler's view most days is the back of her horse's head and the long road stretching ahead to the horizon.
The 26-year-old is riding 5,500 kilometres through outback Queensland and New South Wales to raise awareness about the rare cancer that killed her mum, and to help her grieve the loss of both her parents.
She left her home in Rowena, rural New South Wales, in April and hopes to be back by January.
Sarah and her two horses, Shifty and Sally, are slowly trekking to Charters Towers in North Queensland, then south to Wagga Wagga, before returning home.
Sarah's father died unexpectedly from a heart condition when she was just 12 years old.
In 2022, her mother was diagnosed with a rare gastrointestinal cancer, and died five months later.
Grappling with the devastation, Sarah turned to her horses.
"The connection I have with horses is indescribable," she said.
"Mum and Dad both grew up with horses, and I think there is some sort of connection that I have with horses that they had.
"They just bring me a lot of comfort, and my horses really remind me of my mum and dad."
The decision to take her horses across two states for a nine-month journey was inspired by a movie marathon.
She watched Tracks, about Robyn Davidson's trek across the desert on camels, and True Spirit, the story of sailor Jessica Watson's solo circumnavigation of the world — both stories of strong women embarking on long journeys.
"I thought maybe I can do something meaningful and purposeful with my life," Sarah said.
"It might help me in my healing and grieving process and be something I could honour my parents with."
Sarah Wheeler's horseback odyssey
Starting from Rowena, Sarah and her horses have been travelling about 30 kilometres every day — with a support vehicle never too far away.
Her boyfriend, friends, and generous strangers have shared in driving the support vehicle, which carries feed for the horses and other essentials.
Sarah rides one horse, typically along stock routes, while the other walks alongside.
"Some days feel like a breeze, others feel like such a slog," she said.
"I did have some welts on my bum for the first two weeks."
Some nights she sets up camp by the side of the road.
Other nights, people who've heard of her mammoth ride throw their doors open to Sarah – offering a bed, a warm shower, and a meal.
"I'm relying on rural communities to help me out along the way," she said.
"That's been a big highlight, just seeing how caring and generous local communities are."
Raising awareness and funds for cancer
Sarah is hoping to raise awareness and funds for upper gastrointestinal cancers — the type that killed her mum.
Those funds will go to the Pancare Foundation to help those affected by pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.
Pancare Foundation CEO Doug Hawkins said he was amazed by Sarah's efforts.
"In the 13 years of history at Pancare, we've never had anyone decide to take on what Sarah's doing," Mr Hawkins said.
"We're blown away, inspired, just so happy to see somebody who's willing to take on the fight, and in such a compelling and individual way," he said.
"It's going to be tough, but she's a very determined and resilient individual. If anyone can do it, Sarah can."
Sarah has also established her own foundation — called A Daughter's Way — to support rural Australians experiencing grief.
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2024-07-07 01:05:35Z
CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDI0LTA3LTA3L3NhcmFoLXdoZWVsZXItb3V0YmFjay1yaWRlLW5zdy1xbGQtcmFpc2luZy1hd2FyZW5lc3MtcmFyZS1jYW5jZXIvMTA0MDYxNjA00gEA
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