Fit for Halter Podcast

Ever find yourself standing at the rail thinking… “I’m a pleasure rider… but I keep watching the halter.”? 👀 That’s exactly how Alexis Gooding found her way into the halter world. Coming from a strong pleasure background, Alexis shares what it was like to step into a completely different side of the industry — from asking all the questions to understanding the idea of form to function. In this ep...

In this episode, I’m joined by Guy Williams of Venning Quarter Horses, coming to us from the Hunter Valley of Australia. We talk about: ✨ What actually separates an elite halter horse ✨ Why “big and fat” isn’t the same as fit ✨ How fitness, cross-training, and mental well-being show up in the pen ✨ And why loving the job matters more than the perfect pedigree Guy brings a thoughtful, honest pe...

If you’ve shown your halter horse in Michigan, there’s a good chance this guest has called your name over the loudspeaker. On this episode of Fit for Halter, we're joined by Mike Huntoon — halter horse enthusiast, accomplished show announcer, and trainer with a voice many exhibitors instantly recognize. If you love halter horses, horse show culture, or just a good “how I got here” story… this is f...

I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Kaylynn Wilson — who along with her husband Gene, are known for quality, longevity, and undeniable impact in the halter horse industry. For decades, the Wilsons have bred, owned, and shown some of the most recognizable horses in the country. Their program has produced standouts known for balance, bone, beauty, and that unmistakable presence that turns...

This week on the Fit for Halter podcast, Amy sits down with Sally Griffin — a lifetime APHA director, dedicated leader, and lifelong Paint Horse enthusiast who has done it all — from amateur halter exhibitor to rule maker, show organizer, and advocate for the next generation. Sally shares her incredible journey that began in the 1970s as a youth and amateur exhibitor, showing standout halter horse...

Meet Melanie Fransen, an amateur halter exhibitor whose story is equal parts heart, hustle, and humor. From growing up “basically born in a barn” to sharing the show pen (and plenty of laughs) with her mom, Melanie brings the fun side of showing to life. In this episode, recorded live at the Fall Color Classic in Lansing, MI, Melanie shares: - How a “fill-the-class” moment turned into a halter pas...

By request, Stephanie Sickafoose is back on on the podcast — and this time, she’s taking it a step further.  She takes us on a detailed journey through her daily program. From 4:30 a.m. mornings to long trotting across rolling hills after a full day’s work, Stephanie’s routine is all about structure, commitment, and results. Ever wonder what it really takes to succeed as an amateur in the halter p...

This week on Fit for Halter, we’re chatting with someone who truly does it all. Sydney Miller is a non-pro, mom of littles, and alongside her husband, runs Miller Quarter Horses — a successful hunter under saddle training operation now based in Boerne, Texas. While her husband focuses on the performance side of the industry, Sydney has carved out her own lane (and love!) in the halter pen — recent...

From growing up in a family of horsemen to building her own successful training program, Cathy Sasser has lived a life centered around great horses — and even greater people. In this episode, Cathy shares her journey in the halter horse industry, the pivotal moment that reshaped her career, and the philosophy that guides her barn today. She shares how she defines success beyond the trophies and wh...

This week on Fit for Halter, I’m joined by Stephanie Sickafoose, an amateur exhibitor who’s had an incredible season in the halter pen. From her DIY prep at home to big wins with her standout yearling filly — a daughter of a young stallion already making waves — Stephanie’s story is full of grit, lessons, and memorable moments. She also shares how her background, breeding program, and even a world...

What do you do when life throws you a curveball and the path you’ve been on isn’t possible anymore? This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Subrina Hobart, whose journey in the show pen took an inspiring turn. Subrina started out in the pleasure arena, but when health challenges made riding unsafe, she wasn’t ready to give up her love of horses or showing. Instead, she discovered a brand-new passi...

This week on the podcast, we meet the team from Iron Horse Ranch —a powerhouse in breeding, training, and showing halter horses.   Tawni Jones Ledbetter and her team share what it takes to manage over 127 horses, build a successful show program, and—most importantly—create a ranch culture rooted in teamwork, trust, and shared meals around the table.   From early mornings and long days in the barn,...

Decades in the halter horse industry. A once-in-a-lifetime horse that sparked a world-class breeding program. Countless champions, memories, and lessons learned along the way.   In this episode, Kathy Pettit shares her remarkable journey — from saving for her first horse as a determined 17-year-old, to working with some of the most influential trainers in the business, to raising and showing horse...

Behind every winning halter horse program is someone making sure everything runs like clockwork. In this week’s episode, meet Natasha “Tosh” Bothwell — the right hand to top halter trainer Andy Staton. From sunrise feedings to late-night prep, Tosh shares what it’s really like to work 12–15 hour days at major shows like Congress and the World Show. Hear how Tosh keeps a top program running smoothl...

This week on the podcast, we’re heading to Australia to meet Melissa Eeles — a respected amateur halter horse exhibitor, breeder, and program builder with a passion for confirmation and class. From working at the largest equine hospital in the Southern Hemisphere to preserving legendary bloodlines like Statutory and Mighty Awesome, Melissa shares her journey, her breeding goals, and what it’s real...

Meet Ami & Kendall Bennett — a dynamic mother-daughter team who share not just their halter horses, but the road trips, early mornings, late nights, and the heart and hustle that come with this sport. From Ami’s first halter horse to their current string of champions, their story is one of family teamwork, passion, and balance. You’ll hear how they choose horses with the perfect temperament fo...

Meet Aynslee Gavey: founder of The Arena Admin, a virtual assistant service tailored specifically for horse business owners and western entrepreneurs. Running a business in this world takes grit, hustle, and a whole lot of heart — and The Arena Admin is all about taking the weight of the administrative chaos off your shoulders so you can focus on doing what you do best. Aynslee has created a busin...

This week, we sit down with Kathy Smallwood of Kathy Smallwood Quarter Horses — a renowned breeder and trainer whose halter babies shine in the pen and leave a lasting legacy. Hear how Kathy’s passion began at a very young age, how she evolved her program through decades of dedication, and how she’s preparing the next generation of champions for the fall futurities. We talk daily prep, confidence-...

This week we’re shifting from the show pen to the camera lens to explore the artistry behind great equine photography. Whether it’s an ad, horse and rider sessions, horse show candids or those amazing black background shots, guest Brittany Callahan of Brittany Callahan Photography plays a huge role in how our horses are seen and remembered. Tune in as Brittany shares: *Her journey from the show pe...

What if you could connect your tail extension in seconds or use the same tail extension for more than one horse?  This week we’re joined by RJ Tail Designs, the creators of a revolutionary quick connect tail system for show horses.  This little detail makes a big difference in the show pen.  They created a system that saves time and protects your horse's real tail on those long show days while sti...

What happens when passion turns into profession? On this week’s Fit for Halter Podcast, we’re joined by two rising stars in the halter world who just made a major move—turning in their amateur cards to step into the ring as professional trainers. Leighton Wetzel of WC Show Horses and Logan Lorenz of Lorenz Quarter Horses share their journey and give us a glimpse of the next generation of leaders i...

Have you ever wished you could search, filter, and compare breeding stallions based on what your mare really needs—from height and bloodlines to color genetics and more? This week, we're talking to the brilliant mind who made that possible. Meet Natashya Vince, the founder of Stallion Compare—a powerful, data-driven platform created out of her own curiosity and passion. With a background in web de...

If you’ve ever struggled to find a pair of jeans that truly fits and functions when you’re riding, you’re going to love this episode. We sat down with Whitney Lloyd, founder of MarkWest Denim, to talk about the jeans she couldn’t find — so she made them herself. After years in the saddle and just as many years frustrated with the options on the market, Whitney set out to design the perfect pair of...

From show pen to stitch line, we’re talking all things custom cowboy hats with the talented Heather Werkema Smith of Initial Impressions by HWS! Heather joins us to share how her lifelong love of horses, shaped by her amazing family, led her on a winding journey through the show world—and ultimately into the art of designing one-of-a-kind cowboy hats. What started as a side hustle has become a thr...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Ashley Koeller of MJK Quarter Horses—a trusted name in horse transportation from coast to coast. Ashley shares how she and her husband Mike built a business and team of drivers rooted in care, communication, and commitment to the horses in their trailer. We dive into what it takes to earn trust in the hauling world, logistics, gear, and emergency prep, stori...