About us

Equine Para-Adventures was co-founded by Stephanie Quintrell and her husband Jon Quintrell, following Steph's success in her first major expedition. In June 2023 Steph became the world's first wheelchair dependant person to ride by horseback across the Pyrenees mountains from France to Spain, following the WW2 freedom trails. Through this FWC expedition, named Ride to Freedom, Steph felt an overwhelming sense of independence and freedom from disability- something she now wants to share with others. 

Through Equine Para-Adventures, and all the activities it will be involved with, Steph wants to spread one key message:

"The impossible, can be possible"

A bit more about Steph...

In July 2019 at the age of 28 and with a young son of 2 years old, Steph became suddenly unwell and deteriorated at a rapid pace, becoming wheelchair dependant within 48 hours. Over the following 2 weeks Steph lost complete use in her fingers on her right hand, would start to have seizures and the battle with chronic pain and exhaustion would commence. Steph would go on to be diagnosed with complex Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), fixed dystonia in the right hand, dystonia in both feet/ankles and Fowler's syndrome. Steph has no ability to independently weight bare and relies solely on a wheelchair to mobilise. Steph's ongoing battle with her continuously changing medical needs has not stopped her from doing the things she loved prior to her health deterioation and disability, but rather spurred her on to get more from life than what would outwardly seem possible. Steph is a devoted Mum, who loves nothing more than bum-shuffling around a soft play with her unbelievably energetic son! She is also a proud military wife and horsey Mum to her beautiful riding horse Bubba and a very cheeky minature pony, called Loki. 

In April 2024, Steph was honoured to be the winner of the Overcoming Adversity award at the Celebrating Forces Families awards. 

A bit more about about Jon...

Jon is currently a serving soldier in the REME and has been since 2001. Within the forces Jon has had many opportunities to travel through operational tours and exercises, both in the UK and overseas. He is a co-driver for British Army rallying and is now looking towards life in 'civvy street' when he retires from the Armed Forces in 2025. Jon is Steph's biggest supporter and not only encourages and enables her passion for equestrian sport and adventure, but is also often the one in the background putting the ideas in her head in the first place! Jon's spare time is split between walking out on foot with Steph as she explores the countryside on her beloved Bubba, driving the horsebox and doing the 'heavy jobs' at the yard, or attempting to keep up with the demands of being Dad to a neverending ball of energy!