The Scope Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Early voting is breaking records, and Jen and Karen are talking about where politics and the horse world overlap. No endorsements, just honest conversation. They cover New York City's vote to phase out Central Park's carriage horses by 2028 and what it means for the horses and the people who earn a living with them. They also dig into the two paths Congress is weighing o...

Send us Fan Mail Red Flag, Pink Flag, Green Flag: The Show Barn Edition Jen and Karen are back with a fan-favorite format, this time tackling policies you'll mostly find at show barns. Several of today's topics came straight from Jen's trainer group chat, so expect some real grassroots opinions (the clean version, anyway). Karen hears each policy cold and gives her gut reaction, and...

Send us Fan Mail Should your lease contract include a social media clause? Jen Barker and Karen Tanner reopen the social media can of worms, picking up where their barn branding episode left off. This time the spark is a trainer's post asking how professionals balance kids sharing their riding journey with protecting a horse's reputation, and its owner's. Karen has been on both side...

Send us Fan Mail Jen Barker and Karen Tanner unpack the US Equestrian Federation’s appointment of Sonja Keating as its next CEO. They discuss whether the decision represents meaningful change, question the transparency of the search process, and debate whether members should have a greater voice in selecting leadership. The conversation also explores unity across disciplines and between stakeholde...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Scope, Jen Barker surprises co-host Karen Tanner with a very personal question: what turns a casual riding family into a fully committed equestrian one? They unpack the unexpected pull of competition, the realities of growing a lesson program, and whether being upfront about the costs and expectations of leasing, owning, and showing can scare away potential...

Send us Fan Mail Karen Tanner and Jen Barker decode the hidden language of horse-sale ads in this hilarious episode of Scope. From “game” ponies and “specific homes” to “barn favorites,” “in your pocket,” and horses with "playful puppy personalities,” they translate familiar sales phrases into the practical truths buyers need to hear. Along the way, they share plenty of laughs—and one importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this lively episode of Scope, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into the vibrant world of local horse shows, particularly in the Southeast. The duo explores the abundance of equestrian events in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, discussing how the sheer number of options can impact both trainers and riders. Key Highlights: •Southeast Show Scene: Karen a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive deep into the sometimes rocky relationships between horses and their riders. They explore what happens when a horse might not be the right fit for a rider or when a trainer makes a less-than-ideal match. The conversation highlights critical aspects such as: •Trainer Responsibilities: The obligations of trainers when...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner dive back into the ongoing discussions surrounding the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and its leadership challenges. After receiving a surprising phone call from USEF President Tom O’Mara, the duo reflects on their previous conversations about the organization and the reactions they’ve stirred within the eques...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner dive into the pressing issue of accessibility in the equestrian world, specifically focusing on making horse shows more affordable. As they unpack a range of solutions, they tackle some controversial ideas that may stir the pot among equestrians. Episode Highlights: •Rethinking Prize Money: Jen and Karen propose eliminati...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner revisit their recent judging episode, which sparked a lively debate. Jen receives a text that feels like a summons to the principal’s office, and it turns out to be from their guest, Sissy Wickes. With a mix of humor and seriousness, they dive deep into what they got right and wrong in their previous discussion about judg...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into the intriguing world of equestrian judging with their segment “Red Flag, Green Flag, Pink Flag: Judges Edition.” Drawing on recent discussions surrounding pony finals, the duo explores the complexities and controversies of judging standards, the pressures judges face, and the impact of their decisions on competi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into the charm and community spirit of heritage horse shows, specifically focusing on the beloved Blowing Rock Horse Show. Reflecting on their podcast journey, they discuss the growth in their delivery and editing skills over 70 episodes, while also sharing their candid thoughts on some of their earlier encore episod...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker welcome the esteemed Dr. Rhea Merck, a sports psychologist and author, to explore the intricacies of performance anxiety and mental health in the equestrian world. As a veteran of working with student-athletes, Dr. Merck shares her insights on the psychological challenges riders face, especially those stemming from anxiet...

Send us Fan Mail In honor of one of our favorite events of the year, we’re trotting out this classic episode! In this lively episode of Scope, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner share their thoughts on the excitement and stress surrounding Pony Finals, particularly for parents and young riders. The duo discusses the pros and cons of the event, offering insights from their own experiences—Jen recoun...

Send us Fan Mail In this exciting episode of the Scope Podcast, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into the intriguing world of horse investment. With the backdrop of the World Cup sparking a lively discussion about soccer (or is it football?), the duo transitions into a captivating conversation about the realities of investing in horses. They explore the differences between purchasing a horse...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner dive into the complexities of leadership within the equestrian community, focusing particularly on the recent departure of Bill Moroney from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Their lively banter explores the mixed reactions from the membership, examining the challenges leaders face in a social media-driven w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Scope Podcast, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner dive into the fascinating world of horse show photography with special guest Bailey Smith of Bailey Smith Photography. With over a decade of experience, Bailey shares her journey from casually snapping pictures at events to becoming a sought-after professional in the field. The conversation explores: •The Evol...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into an unexpected journey that intertwines a quest for authentic matcha with the rollercoaster experience of Junior Hunter Finals. The episode kicks off with a lighthearted discussion about Jen’s less-than-stellar social skills, particularly when it comes to navigating an Asian market in search of genuine matcha. As...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Scope Podcast, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into the often misunderstood world of training rides in the equestrian sport. They kick off the conversation with a light-hearted discussion about entertainment choices, touching on everything from Brian Adams to the Magic Mike show, before shifting gears to the essential topic at hand: how training rides...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Scope, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner dive into the world of equestrian education, exploring essential skills that young riders can learn outside the barn. With a lighthearted banter, they discuss how trainers might benefit from outsourcing certain tasks to the wealth of resources available online. The episode kicks off by suggesting that some practical horse...

Send us Fan Mail Join Jen Barker and Karen Tanner in this week’s hilariously insightful episode of The Scope podcast, where they dive deep into the wonderful world of adult amateurs. They tackle the misconceptions that plague this often misunderstood group, from the wild belief that all adult amateurs are flush with cash to the assumption that they’re just in it for the fashion (though, let’s be h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of *The Scope Podcast*, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner explore the intriguing "Katie Van Slyke Effect," a phenomenon centered around the rising star of equestrian influencer Katie Van Slyke. With over 5 million followers on Tik Tok, and nearly 2 million followers on Instagram and a substantial presence across social media platforms, Katie has captivate...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of **Scope**, hosts Karen Tanner and Jen Barker dive into a compelling conversation with Sissy Wickes, an esteemed USEF judge and lifelong horse trainer. Sissy is the executive director of the nonprofit foundation, **Road to the Top**, dedicated to mentoring young equestrians as they navigate the financial and competitive hurdles of the sport.  The discussion kicks...

Send us Fan Mail In this gripping episode of The Scope Podcast, hosts Jen Barker and Karen Tanner dive deep into the shocking true crime story surrounding the shooting at Hawthorne Hill, as chronicled in the Netflix documentary. Join Jen and Karen as they explore the tumultuous relationship between renowned dressage trainer Michael Barisone and his client Lauren Kanarek, whose ambition and obsessi...