Athletic Equestrian: Riding In College Podcast

Rob   Jacobs  is a trainer, judge and clinician based in Seattle.  Rob  has his BA and MBA from St Andrews University and takes the listeners through his journey from his college search through his current position as assistant trainer at Aleron Training Stables and the development of his organization that provides clinics to all riders regardless of financial

Dana Lesesne is a lifelong equestrian who started in Pony Club and worked her way up . up tp 1* level and recieved her Pony Club "A" rating. She has a BA in English from Sweet Briar College and studied Mass Communications and Public Relations at the University of South Carolina. She worked in PR before accepting the position as the Director of the Randolph-Macon College Equine Program in Ashland,...

Lily Rhodes is a Junior at the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA. Listen in as she takes us on a journey from an accident when she was 14 to riding Para-Dressage to where she is today as a Hunter Seat Equitation rider in the IHSA.

Leslie Threlkeld is the Chair of the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Committee and lives in NC.  Leslie discusses the origins of  collegiate eventing and how it has grown and progressed through the years to over 2500 riders today.

Daniel   Stewart  joins the podcast for part two of his interview on equestrian sport psychology, athletics and performance.  In this episode  Daniel  enlightens the listeners on developing motivational playlists, "mojo mantras" and how to pressure proof their riding.

We are celebrating the 50th episode with special guest Coach Daniel   Stewart . Daniel  has been coaching for the past 25 years, is an acclaimed author of four books and is one of the world's leading experts on equestrian sport psychology, athletics and performance.

Dr. Elizabeth James is the founder of Equine Career Coach which helps students and clients achieve their dream careers.  Elizabeth earned her BS from the U. of Nebraska, her MA from U. of CA Davis and her PhD from the U. of KY.  Elizabeth also discusses the ins and outs of running Double Dan Horsemanship and the founding of the International Liberty Horse Association.

Marin Gilliland from Honolulu, Hawaii is in her first year as a Division I student athlete for the Univ. of CA Davis NCEA Equestrian Team.  Listen in as Marin describes what it's like to ride in Hawaii and what it took to be the first junior rider from Hawaii to compete in the Maclay and Dover Equitation Finals.  

Listen in as Stanford Coach Vanessa Bartsch interviews podcast host Sally Batton about raising children in the equine industry, the state of equine programs today and the pros & cons of the IHSA and NCEA. www.athleticequestrian.com  

The tables are turned on podcast host Sally Batton as she's interviewed by Stanford Head Coach Vanessa Bartsch. Listen in to this episode as Sally discusses her new book The Athletic Equestrian as well as some insight into Sally's teaching style. www.athleticequestrian.com

Randi Heathman is the Founder of The Equestrian College Advisor and has her BA from Albion College and her MA from Spring Arbor University.  She is an independent educational consultant who helps families navigate the waters of their collegiate search. www.equestriancollegeadvisor. com

The Athletic Equestrian Riding in College series podcast has just won the 2021 Best Educational Podcast Winnie Award from the Equus Film & Arts Festival.  Founder and Director Lisa Diersen discusses the origin of the Film & Arts Festival and its growth to where it is today. www.equusfilmfestival.net www.mustangdiscovery.com

As a Division I Equestrian athlete and a two-time Paralympian, Staci Mannella has proven that her dreams are limitless regardless of her Achromatopsia, a genetic eye condition that has caused her to be legally blind. Staci discusses her road to her B.A. degree from Dartmouth, her M.Sc from the U. of British Columbia and her current doctorate work and offers some tips on sports psychology.

In 2018 Weisinger was named the head coach of then newly formed UC Davis equestrian team. In the 3 years since she was named head coach she has grown the team to consist of 3 coaches, 27 horses and 35 student-athletes. Today UCD remains the youngest Dual Discipline Team. Prior to her success at UC Davis, Weisinger led Texas A&M's horsemanship squad. During that time, the Aggies captured the 2017 N...

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) is the oldest collegiate riding organization in the country at 72 years old!  NIRA Commissioner  Roger   Walters  joins the podcast to discuss the 130 schools and over 3500 athletes currently competing across the US.  He clarifies the various disciplines offered including Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling and Bull Riding for the men and R...

Brittany   Veninger  Friesner is the Head Coach of the University of Findlay's IHSA Hunt Seat Team located in Findlay, OH and the Hunter/Jumper instructor for Findlay's Equestrian Studies program.  Listen in as  Brittany  discusses the amazing riding opportunities offered at Findlay, including the opportunity to back young horses as well as ride seasoned veterans.   Brittany  has both her BS and M...

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is an organization which allows 4th-12th graders the opportunity to compete in a catch-ride format and is celebrating its 20th year.  Listen in as Co-Founder and Executive Director Roxane Durant and Equine Sales Rep Megan Taylor talk about the history of the IEA as well as where it is today. www.rideiea.com

Steve Shank is the Equestrian Program Director for Alfred University located in Alfred, NY and is also the Western IHSA Team Head Coach.  Steve discusses the various tracks available to students at the school as well as the various varsity teams including Western, Hunt Seat and Dressage team.  Steve has his BBA and MBA from Niagara University in Lewiston, NY. shank@alfred.edu

Rachel Salera Kay graduated from Delaware Valley University in 2016 with a degree in Media and Communication and a minor in Equine Management.  Rachel works as a Product Manager for Schneider's Saddlery and is also the Assistant Coach of the IHSA Hunt Seat Team at Del Val.

Listen in as the tables are turned on podcast host Sally Batton and she's interviewed about the Athletic Equestrian League, a riding league for 1st-12th graders and adults.  AEL coach and Ferrum College Head Coach Margaret Cornwell talks to Sally about how the AEL started and where it's at today and how the league prepares student athletes for riding in college.  

Dirk Fogg is the Head Coach of the Johnson & Wales University Varsity IHSA team located in Providence, RI.   Dirk has his BA from Skidmore College and his MBA from Johnson & Wales.   He has been on the faculty of the Johnson & Wales Equine Department for 18 years and has been on the IHSA Board of Directors for 15 years as a Regional President.  dirk.fogg@jwu.edu

Amy Sherrick-von Schiller is an Associate Professor of Equine Business Management and Head Coach of the Cazenovia College IHSA Team located in Cazenovia, NY. Amy has her BA from Hamilton College and her MBA from Averett College and has been at Cazenovia since 2005. Amy has coached the Caz team to numerous Regional, Zone and National placings as well as numerous individual IHSA National Championshi...

Equitana USA celebrates the horse through education, entertainment and a trade fair at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct 1st through 3rd in Lexington, KY.  The Equitana Event Director Meghan Margewicz discusses some of the booths, seminars, clinics and entertainment that will be offered at Equitana, including three sessions by podcast host Sally Batton:  a mounted Equicize clinic, a seminar on Riding in...

Ginger Henderson is the President of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) and is the Chair of the Equestrian Studies department at Averett University in Danville, VA.   She is a graduate of Averett University and has her Master's from Lynchburg University.   Ginger is the Head Coach of the Averett IDA team which won the IDA National Championships in 2017 and she was named the 2011 IDA Co...

Boo Major enters her 24 th year as the Head Coach of the University of South Carolina (USC) NCEA Equestrian Team.   Boo has both her BA and MA from the University of South Carolina and was named the NCEA Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015.   Boo has led the USC team to three NCEA Overall Championships and three consecutive NCEA Jumper Seat Championships. fsmajor@sc.edu