British Equestrian Podcast

Our big topic for our next Female Health February episode is breast health and what you can do to ensure you’re giving your breasts the best support possible. Rachel is joined by Dr Anna-Louise Mackinnon from the World Class Programme to talk about how you can check your breasts for signs of ill-health and the lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk of a problem. Spoiler alert... riding...

Next up in our series of episodes for Female Health February, we're talking about the menopause and perimenopause. Following up on the outcry for more information on our social media channels, Rachel brings together Ash Wallace from British Equestrian's World Class Programme and coach Mia Palles-Clark for a deep dive into what this period of life means, plus some of the game-changing lifestyle str...

For the first of our full-length podcast episodes for Female Health February, the focus is very much on the turbulent changes that take place in the early years of a young girl’s life. Rachel is joined by three experts from the World Class Programme – sports psychologist Dr Jo Butt, strength and conditioning coach Neil Lewis and eventing coach Christie Wright – to find out more about how the menta...

We are back with a new series of episodes for our Female Health February campaign. With female health topics becoming increasingly talked about, both in sport and society in general, Rachel is joined by Ash Wallace, Ros Cooke and Anna-Louise Mackinnon from the World Class Programme to find out why it's so important for equestrians to be part of the conversation. Plus, there's a taste of what you c...

For our final podcast episode for Equine Health Week 2024 series – and the second part of our Welfare Weekend –  Rachel is joined by Roly Owers and Janet Douglas from World Horse Welfare for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation about how we can make the lives of our horses as happy and fulfilling as possible. Plus, we lift the lid on social licence and why it's a topic that all equestr...

This weekend, our Equine Health Week 2024 podcast series turns its attention to the big – and very important – topic of equine welfare. First up, Jane Nixon and Kezia Allen from the British Horse Foundation join Rachel to discuss the importance of the first few years of a horse's life and how actions taken during this crucial time can set him up for the future. 

For today's episode of our Equine Health Week 2024 series, we're looking at disease prevention and protection. Rachel is joined by vet Celia Marr from Rossdales Equine Hospital and Richard Newton from Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, both of whom sit on British Equestrian's Equine Infectious Disease Advisory Group, to find out more. The discussion covers important topics such as common infe...

Today's episode of our Equine Health Week 2024 series lifts the lid on soundness. Rachel speaks to World Class Programme team vets Liz Brown and Rob Oulton about what we mean when we talk about soundness, some of the common causes of soundness problems, and how to tailor our management and training regimes to promote and preserve soundness. 

In today's episode of the Equine Health Week 2024 podcast series, Rachel is joined by Westgate Director and SQP Claire Shand, and Veterinary Director at The Horse Trust, Nicola Housby Skeggs, to talk about worming and parasite prevention. From how to reduce the risk to your horse to testing programmes and the potential environmental impact of using wormers, this is a fascinating insight into the i...

Today is a double-whammy on equine weight! In the second of today's Equine Health Week episodes, Rachel speaks to Jan Rogers from The Horse Trust and Tamzin Furtado from the University of Liverpool about how you can tailor your horse's management and exercise regime to help promote weight loss – and make it an enjoyable experience for you both, too. 

Today's Equine Health Week 2024 topic is all about helping your horse achieve a healthy weight. In the first of two episodes covering this important subject, Rachel is joined by Ruth Bishop, the World Class Programme's equine nutritionist and Director of Equine at feed manufacturer HJ Lea Oakes. Together, they discuss the health implications of carrying too much weight, techniques for monitoring y...

The British Equestrian podcast is back! For this first episode in our Equine Health Week 2024 series, Rachel is joined by farrier Ben Benson and saddler Mark Fisher from our World Class Programme to discuss equine wellness and the importance of a holistic approach. Plus, there's lots of key information and fun facts about your horse's feet and saddle fit. 

Ever wanted to know more about the equestrian sport of endurance? In the first episode of 2020, Rachel meets Pony Club Endurance Chairman Robert Blane to find out how the sport works, the type of horse you need to get involved and the valuable skills you can learn as you progress. 

Riding on the roads is unavoidable for the majority of equestrians in the UK, but incidents with cars and other vehicles are widely reported. To support Road Safety Week, Rachel sits down with Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety at the British Horse Society, to find out what riders can do to make sure they and their horses are as safe as possible when riding on the roads. They also discuss what the Br...

Rachel is given a crash course in the fast-paced sport of mounted games when she goes to watch the Pony Club's Prince Philip Cup at the Horse of the Year Show. Pony Club Chairman – and mounted games super-fan – Marcus Capel explains what the sport is all about, then members from each of the competing Pony Clubs share why they love mounted games so much. You'll be signing up to have a go in no time...

With the great and the good of British eventing heading to the CCI5* at Pau, Rachel reflects back to when she sat down with Gemma Tattersall earlier in the year. They chat about Gemma's season, her up-and-coming stars – two of whom are at Pau this year – and dream holiday locations. Plus, there's a round-up of essential horsey viewing for this weekend and the low-down on the equestrian awards seas...

Volunteering is a vital part of the equestrian industry – without it, we simply couldn't function. In this episode, Rachel heads to Pony Club HQ to talk to CEO Marcus Capel and Development Officer Zoe Pulling to find out about the Young Equestrian Leaders Award, which is a scheme designed to encourage young people to get involved with volunteering. Then, she catches up with Sophie, who's recently...

Following the formation of the BEF's Equality Engagement Group (EEG), Matt and Rachel discuss the topic of diversity in equestrian sport. The BEF's Head of Participation, Anna Hall, explains why the EEG was set up and what they hope to achieve, then Rachel speaks to group members representing Ebony Horse Club and The Urban Equestrian Academy – two equestrian projects already working closely with d...

Matt and Rachel are back! This week, they're reflecting on their trip to beautiful Blenheim Palace Horse Trials, where Rachel caught up with Downton Abbey star and event horse owner Michael Fox. Plus, super-groom Jackie Potts reveals what it's like to be a groom working at the event. 

It's Burghley weekend! Rachel is riding solo for this one because Matt has abandoned her in favour of a few (well-deserved) days off, so prepare for self-conscious rambling while sitting on a cross-country fence. She catches up with Oliver Townend, Piggy French and winner Pippa Funnell, then talks to World Champion Ros Canter, who was a surprise face at Burghley on Thursday. Plus, fourth-placed Sa...

And just like that, it was all over. Finally back in the UK, Matt and Rachel reflect on the final day in Luhmühlen that led to Great Britain winning a team silver medal and Kitty King finishing as the highest placed British rider. Plus, Tina Cook shares her thoughts after her clear showjumping round. 

The adrenaline has been running high all day as the Team GBR riders tackle Luhmühlen's tough cross-country track. There's been elation and heartbreak, so Matt takes over the microphone to catch up with Pippa Funnell, Kitty King and Oliver Townend after their stellar rounds. 

Dressage day two? Smashed it! With four British riders in the top ten and the team currently in silver medal position, Matt and Rachel recap what's happened on Friday in Luhmühlen, including the tests from Tina Cook, Kitty King and Oliver Townend. 

The Union Jack is at the top of the leaderboard on Thursday evening, following a fantastic performance from Laura Collett and London 52 – who happens to be one of Rachel's biggest pony-crushes. Hear what Laura, and fellow squad members Pippa Funnell and Piggy French, had to say to the media following their tests. Matt and Rachel also reflect on what's coming up in the second day of dressage. 

The cross-country course has been revealed! Rachel catches up with Piggy French after the first team course-walk to get her take on what the squad will face on Saturday. Plus, Matt and Rachel reveal which riders will be competing for a team medal and who will be running as individuals, and also the dressage times for Thursday and Friday.