Heels Down Happy Hour

Not everybody has the privilege of riding at a big training barn. This week, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of riding at home and showing alone. Show jumpers are taking a page out of the eventing safety playbook and did you know Idris Alba has a horse allergy? Guests and Links Episode 74: Link for sight impaired – Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, Internat...

We get it, horse people can confuse the heck out of non-horse people. This week, we share our favorite muggle stories and get a 101 lesson on biomechanics from one our favorite Olympic dressage riders, Jacqui Brooks. Thanks for tuning in.  Guests and Links Episode 73: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Host: Jacquie Brooks, Two-t...

Everybody could use a good reason to laugh in 2020. This week, we’re talking to one of our favorite comedic writers in the horse world, what horse show is cancelled now and where, and what’s the etiquette on riding horses for other people. Thanks for tuning in. Guests and Links Episode 72: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Host:...

If you know, you know: There’s something about loving horses that makes us all just a little bit crazy. This week, we’re talking to New York Times journalist and author, Sarah Maslin Nir about her new book, how girthing affects breathing and the new Tokyo 2021 schedule. Thanks for tuning in.  Guests and Links Episode 71: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Host: Jessica Payne, Int...

Diversity is top of mind right now, including horse sports. This week, we’re talking about what to do when you feel burnt out, how eventer Kanyon Walker balances horses with his college football career and what does one horse have to do with fortune cookies? Thanks for tuning in. Guests and Links Episode 70: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International E...

If only we could ALL be the Queen of England, and spend our quarantine period riding horses every day. This week, we’re discussing what horse shows will look like in the After Times, and by that we mean, After-Corona-Times. And we’ll get some tips on how one equestrian entrepreneur is staying busy despite the state of the world right now.  Thanks for tuning in.    Guests and Links Episode 69: Host...

To pull shoes or not to pull shoes? That is the question. Like everyone else, we’re trying to stay sane while stuck in quarantine. This week, we’re talking about our favorite tips and wardrobe picks for the sunny and warm spring season and how to battle allergies. Thanks for tuning in. Guests and Links Episode 68: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, Internati...

Tired of hearing about coronavirus? Us too! This week, asked a super show jumping mom how she got her nerve back to jump the big sticks after having a baby. Horses are athletes and we discuss tips on how to help reduce fatigue. Thanks for tuning in. Guests and Links Episode 67: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Host: Ellie Wozn...

It’s normal to feel the pressure in competition. But how you learn to keep your cool in the moment? We asked an expert for help. This week, we’re talking about Beezie Madden’s announcement and our biggest pet peeves in the barn. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 66: Link for site impaired – Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for...

Is it appropriate to message a new trainer on Facebook? This week, we’re talking about the etiquette of barn and trainer shopping, and the effects of late-night classes on horses and grooms. P.S. - Did you know the coronavirus affects horses, too? Thanks for tuning in. Guests and Links Episode 65: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider...

Every horse girl dreams of owning their own farm one day. But are they really prepared for all the work that’s involved? This week, we’re celebrating Payne Baby No. 2, discussing turnout politics and how much does it really cost to show in Wellington, anyway? Thanks for tuning in. Guests and Links Episode 64: Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International...

Can you believe it’s almost 2020? This week, we’re celebrating our new year's resolutions, talking about our favorite highlights of the year, and discussing the best cardio tips to stay motivated in the winter riding season. Listen in… Guests and Links Episode 63: Link for site impaired –  Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Host...

For this episode we have hour eleven of the 2019 HRN Holiday Radiothon, Heels Down Happy Hour hosts get the party started with some fun holiday madness and special guest Ellesse Jordan Gundersen. We share our annual holiday drink recommendation and enjoy some awesome listener-submitted holiday songs, poems, and greetings.  Plus, we give away a bunch of prizes from Equitana, Heels Down Soaps and Ho...

Having trouble finding the motivation to stay fit in winter? Us too. This week, we’re talking to show jumper Danielle Goldstein on how to ignore cyberbullies and the USEF finally banned DEPO, but what does it all mean? Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 61: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired:  Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Ride...

Is it already time to be worrying about winter riding clothes? Yikes. This week, we’re talking about the differences between the jogs from one discipline to another, and have you thought about adding your horse to your will? Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 60: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired:  Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with  Host: Jessica Payne, International Even...

A special preview of the 5th Annual 12 Hour Live Holiday Radiothon by State Line Tack on Dec. 2nd with over 20 hosts, 20 guests and over $5,000 in prizes. Listen in...

Nobody looks good in tight white breeches. I repeat: nobody. This week, we’re talking with a dietician about body image and proper dieting for equestrian athletes. It’s been a while since Facebook cracked down on horse ads, so how are people selling horses? And when is it too cold to hose down your horse? Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 59: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired:  Host: Justi...

Horse show costs can be daunting, depending on the level you ride at. But are we pricing out some competitors with all these exorbitant fees? This week, we’re sharing stories of the dumbest things we’ve done for horses, and Jess dishes on how handle working in the barn while managing morning sickness. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 58: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired:  Host: Justine G...

Trouble on the Burghley cross-country course has sparked a deeper conversation about safety in eventing. This week, we’re talking about balancing safety devices and pushing the technical boundaries of cross-country, our favorite healthy snacks for horse shows, and our favorite tips and tricks for hacking outside the arena. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 57: Link to Sound File for Sight Impa...

Everybody fails, even the pros. This week, we’re reminiscing on our biggest mess-ups and what we learned from them. Georgina Bloomberg joins us to talk about how she balances horse sport and rescuing animals while living in the Big Apple. And, we ask her all the important questions about her furry friends. Listen in... Guests and Links Episode 56: Link to Sound File for Sight Impaired:  Host: Just...

Everyone’s got an opinion on SafeSport, but who actually knows how it works? We brought in an attorney to explain.  This week, we’re talking about how to get over the fear of speed when in the saddle and holy cuteness alert: you might be seeing more mini horses on airplanes pretty soon. Listen in...

They say it takes a village to care for horses and to participate in this sport, and they were right. This week, we're paying homage to our non-horsey support network, and Ellie shares what it's like to ride and train while battling MS. Listen in...

Being “straight” in the saddle is harder than it sounds. This week, we’ll share tips on how not to be crooked, thanks to the German Riding Instructor. We’re also talking to a hunter rider who has made it his mission to rescue as many adorable, abandoned mini ponies as he humanly can, and could you imagine washing and plaiting ONE horse for 10 hours? Yikes.

Rehabbing a horse out with a long-term injury is crazy enough, but how do you stay sane during this laid up period? This week, we’re discussing what does "feel" actually mean, and is horse poop actually bad for the environment? Thanks for tuning in...

The barn is often where we meet our best friends. This week, we’ll discuss how to find your horse people, what it’s like to be selected for a team headed to the Pan American Games, and finally, somebody asked the horses how they feel about rein pressure.  Listen in...