TRACEY ALEXANDER
Tracey Alexander
Founder & Managing Director
The Beginning
Tracey discovered her love of horses—especially black horses--at a young age. Fortunately, she was born into a family with a direct connection to the equine world. In the 1950’s, her great-grandfather, Major Tom Dixon, had successfully raised and trained racehorses at Greenbank Farm in Cumbria, which has been in their family for over 110 years. At age 9, head over heels with all things “horse” and desperate to become a jockey, Tracey wrote to a local racehorse trainer, asking what she had to do to become one. No doubt familiar with the fanaticism of young horse-love, he kindly replied that she should come back at 16 when of an age to be considered, and if she was light enough…. Although fortunate enough to have a pony in the early days, much of her time was spent with dogs whom her mother bred and showed. She became UK Junior Dog Handler in 1988 and placed 3rd in the World Championships. Subsequent judging engagements cemented her displeasure with elements of human nature in the competitive world which were more about human gratification as opposed to what was best for the animals. During her later school years, Tracey ran her own dog grooming business. However, her real passion remained in the world of equines.
Thoroughbred Days
Thus started a lifetime with horses, initially in the racing industry (though not as a jockey as her youthful enthusiasm envisioned). She started on the breeding side of the industry, firstly on an Arab Stud followed by a Thoroughbred Stud run by a retired vet who instilled in her the need from Day 1 to check your horses over from head to toe daily to spot any potential problems. After three years at Witney College training in the management of Thoroughbreds for racing, Tracey began working in that area of the industry. It took her to France, the USA, and South Africa. On returning to the UK, she worked at Kempton Park Racecourse as Event Manager and completed a Diploma in Management Studies at Kingston University. When it was time to move on, Tracey faced the choice of becoming a journalist for the Racing Post newspaper or Customer Service Manager for the retail giant John Lewis. Much to most peoples’ surprise, she chose the latter and spent the next three years there putting her mediation and ‘people pleasing’ skills to the test.
The Dream Begins
During a year traveling the world, she became acquainted with the Friesian breed and soon discovered that for her, this breed was “the only”. Tracey dreamed of fields full of these gorgeous, black horses--so when the opportunity presented to take up the next generations’ stewardship of the family property, Tracey moved with her parents to Greenbank Farm.
Wanting to learn more about the Friesian horse and struggling to find information in the UK, Tracey traveled to Friesland, a northern province of The Netherlands where the breed originated. Her research there was aided by the help of many breeders, large and small, as well as trainers and producers, all of whom were keen to share their knowledge and passion for the breed. One important aspect was a respect for the official Friesian studbook which came into existence in 1879. The goal of the studbook was to help protect the health, character and existence of the Friesian breed. Tracey returned from that life-changing visit with four very talented, KFPS studbook registered Friesians: three young stallions (Droomwals, Hoitze, and Hidde) and a mare in foal (Femma, who subsequently gave birth to sweet Vela).
Black Horses, Ltd
To help fund her dream, Tracey decided to establish Black Horses Limited, a commercial carriage driving business. She trained with John Parker, then Chairman of the British Driving Society, who entrusted her with training two young homebred horses. She and these youngsters learned together. Working with them, and under John’s tutelage, gave Tracey valuable insights into the marvelous Friesian breed.
Her Black Horses passion fully firing, Tracey began having great success with her training programs. Her carriage driving business was also doing well with The Boys spectacularly driving many a bride to her wedding, giving carriage rides around the village to delighted patrons, and appearing in photo shoots and the occasional film project.
Professional Involvement and Achievement
Tracey became involved with FHAGBI, the UK Friesian Breed Society. She was invited to become a Director in 2008, and took on the role of President in 2011, serving until 2017 when personal circumstances no longer allowed her the time. In 2021, FHAGBI award Tracey its Highest Achievement Award in recognition of her enviable, unmatched record of success with Friesian horses in the UK, (including three separate Breed Champions who achieved that title a collective five times, Two Model Mares and the only Friesian to qualify for the British Dressage Young Horse finals in the UK).
The Friesian Experience – Early Days
Tracey’s success at the inspections and her knowledge of training Friesians for all disciplines made her increasingly sought out for advice by prospective and current Friesian owners. The Friesian Experience came about in order to formalize that reality, focusing on education—about the attributes of this wonderful breed as well as more practical aspects of ownership, breeding, and training--and the importance of factoring wellness into all decisions. She began offering prospective owner visits and phone consults, and took on horses for training at the Farm over a period of months.
The Unintended Necessity of Sanctuary
Over time, experience informed Tracey’s view of what The Friesian Experience needed to be and could be, and the broader impact and benefit it could have for both horses and humans.
Several Friesians Tracey had taken on for training were abandoned at the Farm by their owners. Quit paying their bills, cut off contact. Despite having arrived with specific issues--some physical, others emotional—and through no fault of their own, these horses would not be sold on or euthanized but given care and a permanent home. These abandonments not only had significant financial impact to the Farm in lost revenue and increased expense but highlighted the lack of a safety net for humans that put their Friesians in jeopardy. This led to establishing The Friesian Experience as sanctuary along with two programmes: the Friesian Foster Programme, a network of verified, like-minded people able to foster Friesians in need, short- or longer-term, and the Rescue and Surrender Programme, creating a pathway for owners no longer able to care for their Friesians to get them into care and assessed for rehoming. These programmes would provide valuable back-up if the Farm was at capacity and unable to provide front-line help. (You can find more detail about these programmes on our Sanctuary page.)
Growing Meaning and Purpose
Several other realities started to expand the meaning of Education and Wellness in TFE’s mission. Tracey was increasingly being contacted by people who didn’t own horses but were very attracted to and interested in learning about the Friesians. Because she knew of the special, therapeutic nature of horse energy, particularly that of the gentle, human-loving Friesian, Tracey envisioned this practical learning had additional potential. Through offering a variety of direct experiences, visitors could access what interested them—from practical knowledge about the individual horses and their breed to enjoying extended time with one horse to a curated, therapeutic session opening to the energetic gifts of the horse. All these Experiences could create higher meaning, leading to greater mutual understanding and compassion between humans and horses. Perhaps they could change the calculus between humans and the rest of the animal world as well…change how we view and treat them…perhaps how we treat each other. Maybe younger generations having a Stable Stays experience would grow up with new perspective on what it means to love an animal and spend life with them. The thought of being able to share all of this with others took shape. No matter their previous experience with or impression of horses, The Friesian Experience could be accessible to everyone—and the internet made it possible to share the ethos and community of TFE globally.
Making the Future Present
Today, Tracey’s Black Horses Dream continues to manifest with the help of supporters worldwide. In partnership with her sister, Tamara, who left her life in the south of England and returned to the Farm in 2017 when their father unexpectedly passed away, they work tirelessly to keep the Farm going.
TFE goals continue to be providing best care and lifelong sanctuary for the Friesians at Greenbank Farm and for those Friesians in need by maintaining the Foster and Rescue/Surrender programs, and striving to make every Experience personally memorable for our visitors. In 2025, we hope to increase access by launching a “Sponsor or Be Sponsored” Programme designed to make therapeutic sessions in our Friesian Friendship Barn available to those most in need. As funds allow, we continue to pursue physical plant improvements to this historic Farm that directly impact and benefit the horses’ wellbeing. To date, we have never been approved for government business development grants, despite meeting all stated criteria. Unbelievably, horses are not classed as agriculture in the UK—so it’s only through hard work and the generosity of individuals that we continue to succeed.
From a business perspective, aside from maintaining viability, there is always focus on our core team, encouraging growth as individuals and in their roles at the Farm, and providing sufficient compensation. And of course, the goal of planning and building a space especially designed for enhanced programming is ever-present.
The Dream continues...and Tracey looks forward to manifesting it with like-minded dreamers around the world in the years to come.