Between the Flags

What do you get when you mix a gutsy country kid, some difficult horses, a four-star eventing career and a 2:50 am alarm? You get Jess Rae! Jess joins Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes to chat about growing up riding ponies in western NSW, chasing the dream of becoming an elite eventer, and the horses that have shaped her journey. From buying Indy for just $2,000 to breeding and producing the quirky b...

At the request of our listeners, it's time for a change of seats on Between the Flags! This time, Prue Barrett takes over the interviewer’s chair and puts co-host Fiona Hughes in the hot seat. From Pony Club beginnings to a long career in eventing, riding, coaching and mentoring, Fi shares some of the experiences, people and lessons that have shaped her journey — with plenty of laughs and a few do...

Sammi Birch has spent nearly 30 years chasing the biggest prizes in eventing - but the Olympic start she still wants is what keeps her coming back for more. She opens up about the horses, the heartbreak, the stubbornness, and the wild journey that took her from the Hunter Valley to five Olympic reserve selections and some of the sport’s toughest tracks. Prue and Fi go right back to the start with...

Some horses are special from the moment you sit on them. Others take years, a mountain of patience and a few spectacular moments of “well… that didn’t go to plan!” Christine Bates has produced some of Australian eventing’s best horses and she’s got the stories to prove that getting to the top is rarely a straight line. Christine joins Prue and Fi for a cracking chat about growing up in WA, heading...

From a horse-mad kid growing up in suburban Melbourne to competing on the world stage, Sophia Hill’s journey is a story of horses, family, determination and elite eventing. In this episode we chat with Sophia about the horses that have shaped her career, including her incredible partnerships with Humble Glory (Huey) and Tulara Baltango (Tango), and what it takes to balance family life with the dem...

Charlotte Andrews takes us behind the scenes of elite eventing to reveal what it really takes to prepare a horse and rider for championship competition. From Australian team camp in Belgium to Aachen, Adelaide and Paris, Charlotte shares the routines, pressure, timing and split-second decisions that can make all the difference. Because at the top level, a groom does far more than keep the horse lo...

Andrew Cooper is one of Australia's leading high-performance event riders, with 13 horses produced to 4 & 5★ level, three Oceania Championship appearances, and a reputation for developing elite event horses. In this episode, Andrew shares the grit and determination that shaped his journey—from growing up in Wagga Wagga without a horsey background to becoming one of Australia's most respected h...

What does it take to become Australia's Equestrian Team Veterinarian? In this episode, we chat with Dr Nathan Anthony about his journey from growing up in Queensland to supporting Australia's elite eventing teams at World Championships, Olympic campaigns and international competitions. Nathan shares the commitment, attention to detail and teamwork required to keep high-performance horses competing...

Will Enzinger's journey from riding school kid to Australia's High Performance Director is a story of persistence, passion and unexpected opportunities. In this episode, Will shares the experiences that shaped him as a rider, coach and leader, along with insights into developing talent, building successful teams and guiding Australia's international ambitions. Throw in a few stories about singing,...

In this episode of Between the Flags , we sit down with Yona Lloyd for an honest conversation about resilience, taking chances, and staying committed to the sport you love. From his upbringing in Tasmania to building a life in Western Victoria, Yona shares the experiences that have shaped him as a rider, coach, husband, father and horseman. We talk about the tough times, the setbacks that test you...

The conversation with Janet Houghton covers her introduction to the eventing community, her early days and involvement in eventing, her role in the squad program, event organization and management, and the importance of Melbourne in eventing. The discussion highlights the challenges and rewards of event organization, as well as the support and significance of the eventing community. The conversati...

At 22, Oliver Barrett has already claimed his first Adelaide five-star win—proving that talent alone isn’t enough to reach the top. In this episode, Oliver shares how discipline, strategy, and the legacy of his family’s Sandhills program shaped his rise in Australian eventing. From riding ponies as a kid to managing ten horses a day, he reveals the routines, mindset, and pressure behind competing...

Prue and Fi Chat with Katie Taliana, it's a journey from trail rides and childhood dreams, to competing at five-star events. That passion, perseverance, and a little cheekiness can take you anywhere. From coaching in caravans to working overseas with Zara Phillips, her story is full of surprises — like how she met her husband online and navigated the highs and lows of eventing. Her story of resili...

Nat Blundell shares her journey in the world of eventing, from her early days in New South Wales to her experiences with horses like Billy Bathgate and Algebra. She also discusses her role as a course designer and her passion for darts. Takeaways Eventing Journey Horse Partnerships Course Designing Darts Champion Chapters 00:00 The Early Years and Introduction to Horses 06:21 Success with Billy Ba...

The conversation covers Golly's journey in eventing, her early years, the horses that shaped her career, career highlights and lows, the Holly and Golly show, her transition to Belgium and her eventing family, and concludes with quickfire questions and a conclusion. Takeaways True grit Family influence Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Golly's Journey 06:00 Growing Up and Early Pony Stories 14:27 Ca...