The Team

Christine Donnelly

Territory Manager | Northern NSW

Horses have been a love and a passion of Christine’s since she was a little girl.

Christine has been fortunate to be involved in teaching riding lessons, pony dressage, showing and pony club.

Recently, Christine has been competing in open and hunter leading rein classes with her daughter Zara, enjoying success at National level. Christine and Zara are active members of the Pony Club community and regularly attend rally days, Interclub competitions, and zone events.

Producing her own ponies, equine nutrition and horse management is something that Christine is passionate about; and she thoroughly enjoys helping riders and horse owners alike with feed solutions for their equine best friend.

Jo Swinton

Territory Manager | South Australia & Western Victoria

With over 30 years of passionate involvement in the equine world, Jo has actively pursued courses in horses’ welfare and nutrition to advance her expertise. Following a distinguished career within the SA Ambulance Service, Jo channels her experience and knowledge to assist horse owners in her current capacity at Benchmark Feeds.

As an accredited Bit Fitter, Jo possesses an exceptional commitment to equine welfare. She prioritizes the well-being of horses through the provision of specialized bit fitting services. Her mission is clear: contributing to responsible horse care, , sharing knowledge, and setting new standards for excellence in South Australia and Western Victoria's equine community.

Sarra Avery

Territory Manager | Tasmania

Sarra’s love of horses started at a young age, riding before she could barely walk magnetised her to the equine world. This fascination ensured she would ultimately land in a career with her equine friends.

While this career path has involved positions in numerous saddleries and feed stores, Sarra quickly identified several common issue’s that impacted everyone.

Taking a holistic approach for both horse and rider, Sarra undertook several years of study, with a focus on body work which allowed her to establish her own successful equine business; Tasmanian Equine Solutions, an equine sports massage and saddle fitting service.

Sarra continues to educate, compete, breed, and enjoy her own horses, and provides a wealth of knowledge to riders in all interest from dressage, eventing, showing, pony club, show jumping and retired and injured horse management.

Sarra has a comprehensive understanding of horse and rider biomechanics, always finding the best solution for your equines’ health and well-being.

Louisa Nicholson

Territory Manager | Queensland

“With a passion for all things horse starting as a toddler and supportive parents to help focus that enthusiasm, Louisa was always destined for a career in the equine industry!

Having grown up attending Drouin Pony Club and competing in all disciplines along the way, to now competing EA dressage and working on the equine athlete through bodywork- Louisa’s love of producing horses to the best of their abilities has always been a passion.

From competing at small Agricultural Shows, to managing a dressage ranch in Los Angeles, riding with some of best coaches in the world, breaking in, training and competing talented ponies and horses, to completing courses in Equine Sports Massage and Equine Photonic Therapy - Louisa has a whole horse perspective at heart and joining the team at Benchmark Feeds makes absolute sense.”

Michelle O'Neill

Territory Manager | Southern NSW

A tribute to our wonderful Benchmark colleague and friend, Michelle O'Neill.

Riding high with the angels. Rest easy Michelle.

Renee Margetts

Territory Manager | Western Australia & Northern Territory

Always loved horses, born into it. My parents started, educated and trained thoroughbreds in their younger years.

During my teenage years, I stabled with and was coached by Olympian Richard Sands. I competed successfully in dressage, show jumping, hacking and dabbled in a little polocrosse.

As an adult, I studied veterinary nursing and I am still currently a registered vet nurse with the Vet Surgeons Board. Always been passionate about equine health & nutrition and have worked in the equine feed industry since 2013.

In recent years, I have developed an interest in training standardbreds and currently hold my Trainer’s Licence. With my parents I part own handy pacer James Coburn, with whom I achieved got my first training win pretty early on He is now currently enjoying paddock life.

Caron Palmer

Territory Manager | New Zealand

Caron has a background in sales in marketing working for large multi-national FMCG businesses, and for the past 5 years she has worked in a marketing consultancy capacity for corporates and SME businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Carons experience in the Australian market is in the equine feed sector providing marketing strategy, brand alignment and communications.

Caron has a passion for horses and all things equine and she enjoys spending her leisure time with her horses and pleasure riding with friends.