Horse Person

This episode is proudly sponsored by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order at checkout.  Perfectionism and an outcome-focused mindset is not only a pretty lousy mindset for performance, but it also makes us miserable. And - relying on results and outcomes when you're in a sport with a 1200 lb animal who can die suddenly of a stomach ache, or essentially drain your savings accoun...

Trigger Warning: Topics of sexual abuse Join Caroline for a short chat with Carrie Kehring, founder of #WeRideTogether, about the special project highlighting the experience of victims of sexual abuse.  Go to www.weridetogether.today to watch the PSAs & roundtable discussions.  

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services .  I recorded this conversation a couple of months ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. It's a story of perseverance, of reinvention, and of the quiet power of hope — the kind of story that might just be what you need to hear right now. Because you never know what's waiting for you around the corner. My guest today...

This episode is proudly presented by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your order.  We're living in a horse world that often rushes. Young horses are expected to mature fast, to progress on human timelines, and to succeed by a certain age—or else we worry they've "missed their chance" or they wont be sellable. But today, I'm joined by someone who makes an excellent case for...

In the first interview of this kind, US Equestrian's COO and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, is speaking to the frustrations shared by USEF membership regarding the perceived lack of action and enforcement on horse abuse in sport in the United States.  On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled  USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse , written by Caroline Howe. That s...

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse , written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website , seemingly in response to Caroline's piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a...

This special LIVE episode is made possible by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 to get 15% off your entire order at checkout.  This episode is also supported by WeRideTogether.today . We all have a part to play in preventing abuse and misconduct in equestrian sports. Learn more on their website.  Dr. Jenny Susser is a renowned, Olympic level sport psychologist who has supported athletes from the b...

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Welcome to Horse Person: MADE — where we explore the stories behind the brands, businesses, and visionaries shaping the horse world. This isn't just about entrepreneurship — it's about the real, human journey: the risks, the resilience, the detours, and the drive it takes to build something meaningful in this industry. T...

This episode is presented by Nikovian . Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order.  The bit is one of the most powerful—and potentially harmful—tools we use, yet most riders choose one without fully understanding its impact. In this episode, we unpack why choosing a bit and understanding that bit is actually a huge responsibility that we really need more focus and more education on.  I'm joine...

This episode is presented by Nikovian .  Saly Glassman spent nearly four decades leading one of the largest retail investment practices in the world, but she walked away to help people heal through horses, and isn't looking back.  In this episode, we dive into how Saly combined her passions for psychology, philanthropy, and horsemanship to create the Kindle Hill Foundation , a cutting-edge equine-...

Emma Chapman has been a professional groom at the top of show jumping competition for almost 2 decades and in that time, she's learned a thing or two. Today, we get to learn from her.  Emma, who manages WEG gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht's operation, gives us an inside look at the essential role of grooms in horse care and competition. We also dive into the evolving career path for grooms and w...

You know her from riding in the biggest arenas in the world as an elite US dressage rider, or from her beloved social media following documenting her life as a top athlete. But there's so much more to Anna Buffini and her story than what meets the eye, and today, we're peeling back some of the layers on this incredible young woman who is rightly becoming a role model for many up-and-coming riders....

If the only things certain in life are death and taxes, we sure do a poor job talking about the former. Let's change that.  In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline Culbertson and renowned sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser explore the complexities of grief, particularly in relation to the loss of beloved horses. They discuss personal experiences with anticipatory grief, the emotional toll of pre...

Paige Jardine is a 5* Australian show jumper whose symptoms started small. Some discomfort, some nausea. But as time went on and she kept pushing through, with doctors providing little insight or treatment, things got worse, until she collapsed at the ingate during an FEI show.  Paige spent years seeking a diagnosis, and is now speaking out about the power of removing the shame from women's health...

If you've ever had a horse turn and walk away from you in the field when you're trying to catch them, or turn away from you in the stall - you are so not alone. That moment can be confusing, annoying - at best it's inconvenient and at worst it's dangerous. But we're going to walk through understanding this avoidant behavior today, give you some perspective on how to understand why your horse is do...

Money is a factor in our sport - there's no getting around that. But dang if it isn't encouraging when we hear stories of riders who have made their way without extravagant wealth, by doing it themselves, and while prioritizing their horses' well-being.  That's the story we have for you today with Skylar Wireman.  Skylar Wireman has been called 'The future of show jumping', but she hasn't let her...

Have you ever felt like it was hard to find your place in the horse world? Maybe you didn't want to be a pro rider, but you wanted to be involved more than just as a hobby. You didn't feel pulled down the veterinary route, but your grades in biology didn't cut it (Caroline raises hand).  There are so many ways to be involved, professionally or not, in horses - and Tori Repole is joining us today t...

'How can I improve my riding outside of the saddle?'  'How can I become a calmer competitor?' 'I only have x hours to ride per week, how can I still make progress?'  While there are tons of resources for horse/riding/training education (hit us up if you need some recommendations!), today's episode is focused on how to become a calmer, more focused, more balanced rider when you DO get that barn tim...

Lessons from an FEI dressage rider for $5? What's the catch?  That was my reaction - and the reaction of lots of other riders - when they saw Meghan Laffin's post. But on further investigation, this was an approach to a multi-pronged problem that Meghan identified in the dressage industry: 1) Many riders are feeling the financial strain of pursuing their goals in their sport, 2) Many riders felt a...

The culture of your barn can make or break your experience there. And if you're a trainer, it can attract the clients of your dreams... or your nightmares. It's time to get intentional about choosing and building culture in our barns and stables. How do we build cultures that are led by the values we choose, instead of the bad habits we fall back on? How do we decide what is most important to us,...

Today's episode is a special one for me as I sit down with long-time friend and my former boss, Noelle Floyd. This episode might sound a little different, and that's because we had the really lovely opportunity to sit down together at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and record this conversation live in the expo center. And that's exactly what this episode is - an honest, unscripted conversation. N...

At this point, we collectively know and acknowledge that nearly everyone who rides horses will experience fear at some point - it's the cost of doing business with 1000lb+ creatures who are strong, fast, and have their own instincts. For some folks fear might be momentary or fleeting, and for others, fear may become an unwanted, consistent passenger that seems to take over their experience with th...

At 27, Marcela Pomphrey moved to the UK without knowing a lick of English language. At 30 she began working in a sporting industry she had no experience in. At 31, she started a business. At 40, she started riding.  Now, the 46-year-old has a goal of riding at the Prix St. Georges level in dressage by age 60.  In this episode of Horse Person, Marcela shares her journey of decades of longing for ho...

When 5* event rider Matt Brown was finally listed as an alternate for the Rio Olympics, it was the realization of a life-long dream. It was also simultaneously the highest and lowest point of his career. He was in a position that he'd worked so hard for, made many sacrifices to get to, and yet, something didn't feel right.  "Someone within the sport recommended I do something… that was not legal....

If you've ever driven home after a clinic and felt like everything you heard the clinician say has promptly exited your brain stage left, you're not alone. It's so easy for those experiences to pass in a blur, leaving you feeling like you didn't have the experience you were hoping for, or that the time and money spent didn't have a true impact on your training trajectory.  So let's address it! In...