By Tiffany Chapman | Images courtesy of Caleb Degen
There are some people who seem to find their rhythm between dust and daylight, and Queensland horseman Caleb Degen is one of them. He’s the kind of rider who doesn’t just
teach or perform, but quietly listens to horses and the stories they tell.
When we spoke, it was clear that Caleb’s life has never been about chasing ribbons or titles. His path has been built on curiosity and courage, saying yes to opportunities, and letting horsemanship open doors to places most people will never see.
These days, Caleb splits his time between performing at Australian Outback Spectacular and building his own brand, Centaur Horsemanship, which he hopes will help others experience the same connection and adventure that shaped him. But before Centaur began, his journey was already written across some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes.
“When you’re riding beside lions and elephants, you learn quickly that trust is everything. Trust in your horse, trust in yourself, and trust in where you’re meant to be.” – Caleb Degen
From the Bush to the Savannah
Caleb’s early years were spent riding in rural Queensland, where horses were more a part of life than a hobby. But as his skills grew, so did his appetite for learning. That curiosity eventually took him overseas, to Botswana, Kenya, and Namibia, where he found himself riding through wild country shared with lions, elephants and zebras.
“It’s a different kind of horsemanship over there,” he said.
“You’ve got to trust your horse completely, not just to perform but to keep you safe. They pick up on things long before you do, and that changes how you ride.”
His first experience was on a private game reserve, working with horses trained for guided safaris. It was structured work, but filled with moments that took his breath away. The second time, he went deeper into the wilderness, helping train horses for longer expeditions through the open plains and desert trails.
In Botswana, he spent time with horses that had learned to read the bush better than any human. “You notice how tuned-in they are,” he told me. “They’ll change breathing when something moves in the distance, or shift their weight before you even hear the sound. They make you pay attention.”
Then came Namibia, where he joined a team leading multi-day riding safaris across rugged terrain. The days were long and hot, the nights spent under a canopy of stars so bright it felt like another world.
“I remember one morning the horses all had weepy eyes,” Caleb laughed. “I thought it was dust, like you’d see at home. Turns out it was spitting cobras. You learn pretty fast that everything over there has its own way of reminding you to stay alert.”
And as if that wasn’t enough adventure, he later found himself in Egypt, joining friends on a last-minute trip to ride horses through the pyramids of Giza. It was one of those spontaneous moments that turned into a lifelong memory. “It was incredible,” he said. “You’re galloping across the sand with the pyramids in front of you, and you just think, how did I end up here? It really makes you appreciate what horses can bring into your life.”
What the World Teaches You About Horses
Travel has a way of changing people, but for Caleb, it deepened his sense of responsibility toward animals. Across his time abroad, he’s seen how culture, conditions and care can differ, and how respect is expressed in many ways.
“In some places, horses are part of survival,” he said. “People do the best they can with what they have, and you see both hardship and incredible horsemanship. Some riders can communicate with a horse using nothing more than their body language. It’s humbling.”
Those lessons helped form the foundation for Centaur Horsemanship. Caleb’s approach is about understanding and partnership more than perfection. “What I want Centaur to be is a space where people can experience connection,” he explained. “We’ve all seen those riding holidays overseas where you just show up, ride, and go home. I want something different. I want people to travel with horses and learn from the experience too.”
He hopes to offer guided horsemanship experiences both in Australia and eventually abroad, where riders can explore the world with someone they trust. “Travel can be intimidating,” Caleb said. “But horses make it easier. They give you a reason to slow down, to notice things, and to connect with people. You just need someone to help you take that first step.”
Riding with Heart
Through every adventure, performance and challenge, Caleb’s focus has stayed the same.
“They’re honest,” he said simply. “Horses tell you when you’re right and when you’re not. You just have to listen.”
He doesn’t talk about Africa or Egypt like a checklist. He talks about them like lessons that stayed with him. And when he describes Centaur Horsemanship, it’s with a quiet confidence that comes from having seen the world and come home with perspective.
Whether he’s working with a young horse in Queensland or remembering the sight of elephants crossing a dusty track in Botswana, Caleb carries the same steady belief that good horsemanship comes from empathy and awareness.
“You can’t always plan where horses will take you,” he said as we finished our chat. “You just have to go along for the ride.”
For those lucky enough to ride beside him, that sounds like very good advice.