Horse Person

This episode is proudly sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services Irish Olympic dressage rider Abi Lyle didn't come from money or an equestrian legacy. In fact, when she decided to give serious dressage training a go in her mid-20s, she was working in retail.  Abi has overcome far more in her 40 years than many people, including extreme domestic abuse, the death of her brother,...

Caroline is joined by a special guest to announce a change about the show.  Weigh in - we want to hear from you! DM us on Instagram @horsepersonpodcast or email me - caroline[AT]horsepersonpodcast.com 

Today I'm going to do something a little different on the podcast and I'm going to read a letter written to the equestrian community by husband and wife team Matt Brown and Cecily Clark. Matt and Cecily were one of the first interviews I did for this podcast, and I really enjoy their perspective and respect their willingness to put bold ideas and statements forward, especially with regard to horse...

This episode is proudly sponsored by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 for 15% off at checkout.  This episode first appeared on The Horsewoman's Almanac. Click here to subscribe to that show - for free! In this episode, Clare Staples shares her journey from a horse-loving child in England to becoming a leading advocate for wild horses in America. She discusses the deep spiritual connection she fee...

The horse world doesn't always agree on everything, but it can agree on this: The cost of competing is becoming prohibitively high. In fact, the cost of most things related to horses seem to be creeping up every time we turn around.  How did showing get so expensive? Are enthusiastic riders getting priced out of being able to compete even just a few times a year? What is the sport's leadership's v...

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Taylor flury is doing something not that many professionals in the US are doing -- she isn't just breeding show jumping horses for top sport, she's breaking them and bringing them along herself. At only 34, Taylor has taken numerous young horses previously not started undersaddle and developed them into competitive FEI G...

Most riders think their horses are fit enough for the job they're asked to do. But according to equine fitness expert Jec Ballou, only 30 percent of sport horses actually are. In this episode, we dig into the reasons behind that surprising number and aim to give you a more sophistocated understanding of what 'fitness' means for your horse. We discuss how horses really gain strength, the one area o...

Caroline interviews USEF Chief of Sport David O'Connor about the newly introduced 'Know the Signs' guidelines aimed at promoting horse welfare in equestrian sports in the US. They discuss the purpose of these guidelines, the emotional dynamics in competition, the role of officials, and  the evolving nature of regulations, particularly regarding the use of whips. To view the guidelines, go to  http...

This episode is proudly sponsored by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order at checkout.  Perfectionism and an outcome-focused mindset is not only a pretty lousy mindset for performance, but it also makes us miserable. And - relying on results and outcomes when you're in a sport with a 1200 lb animal who can die suddenly of a stomach ache, or essentially drain your savings accoun...

Trigger Warning: Topics of sexual abuse Join Caroline for a short chat with Carrie Kehring, founder of #WeRideTogether, about the special project highlighting the experience of victims of sexual abuse.  Go to www.weridetogether.today to watch the PSAs & roundtable discussions.  

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services .  I recorded this conversation a couple of months ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. It's a story of perseverance, of reinvention, and of the quiet power of hope — the kind of story that might just be what you need to hear right now. Because you never know what's waiting for you around the corner. My guest today...

This episode is proudly presented by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your order.  We're living in a horse world that often rushes. Young horses are expected to mature fast, to progress on human timelines, and to succeed by a certain age—or else we worry they've "missed their chance" or they wont be sellable. But today, I'm joined by someone who makes an excellent case for...

In the first interview of this kind, US Equestrian's COO and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, is speaking to the frustrations shared by USEF membership regarding the perceived lack of action and enforcement on horse abuse in sport in the United States.  On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled  USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse , written by Caroline Howe. That s...

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse , written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website , seemingly in response to Caroline's piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a...

This special LIVE episode is made possible by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 to get 15% off your entire order at checkout.  This episode is also supported by WeRideTogether.today . We all have a part to play in preventing abuse and misconduct in equestrian sports. Learn more on their website.  Dr. Jenny Susser is a renowned, Olympic level sport psychologist who has supported athletes from the b...

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Welcome to Horse Person: MADE — where we explore the stories behind the brands, businesses, and visionaries shaping the horse world. This isn't just about entrepreneurship — it's about the real, human journey: the risks, the resilience, the detours, and the drive it takes to build something meaningful in this industry. T...

This episode is presented by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order.  The bit is one of the most powerful—and potentially harmful—tools we use, yet most riders choose one without fully understanding its impact. In this episode, we unpack why choosing a bit and understanding that bit is actually a huge responsibility that we really need more focus and more education on.  I'm joine...

This episode is presented by Nikovian .  Saly Glassman spent nearly four decades leading one of the largest retail investment practices in the world, but she walked away to help people heal through horses, and isn't looking back.  In this episode, we dive into how Saly combined her passions for psychology, philanthropy, and horsemanship to create the Kindle Hill Foundation , a cutting-edge equine-...

Emma Chapman has been a professional groom at the top of show jumping competition for almost 2 decades and in that time, she's learned a thing or two. Today, we get to learn from her.  Emma, who manages WEG gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht's operation, gives us an inside look at the essential role of grooms in horse care and competition. We also dive into the evolving career path for grooms and w...

You know her from riding in the biggest arenas in the world as an elite US dressage rider, or from her beloved social media following documenting her life as a top athlete. But there's so much more to Anna Buffini and her story than what meets the eye, and today, we're peeling back some of the layers on this incredible young woman who is rightly becoming a role model for many up-and-coming riders....

If the only things certain in life are death and taxes, we sure do a poor job talking about the former. Let's change that.  In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline Culbertson and renowned sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser explore the complexities of grief, particularly in relation to the loss of beloved horses. They discuss personal experiences with anticipatory grief, the emotional toll of pre...

Paige Jardine is a 5* Australian show jumper whose symptoms started small. Some discomfort, some nausea. But as time went on and she kept pushing through, with doctors providing little insight or treatment, things got worse, until she collapsed at the ingate during an FEI show.  Paige spent years seeking a diagnosis, and is now speaking out about the power of removing the shame from women's health...

If you've ever had a horse turn and walk away from you in the field when you're trying to catch them, or turn away from you in the stall - you are so not alone. That moment can be confusing, annoying - at best it's inconvenient and at worst it's dangerous. But we're going to walk through understanding this avoidant behavior today, give you some perspective on how to understand why your horse is do...

Money is a factor in our sport - there's no getting around that. But dang if it isn't encouraging when we hear stories of riders who have made their way without extravagant wealth, by doing it themselves, and while prioritizing their horses' well-being.  That's the story we have for you today with Skylar Wireman.  Skylar Wireman has been called 'The future of show jumping', but she hasn't let her...

Have you ever felt like it was hard to find your place in the horse world? Maybe you didn't want to be a pro rider, but you wanted to be involved more than just as a hobby. You didn't feel pulled down the veterinary route, but your grades in biology didn't cut it (Caroline raises hand).  There are so many ways to be involved, professionally or not, in horses - and Tori Repole is joining us today t...