Niamh O'Connell and Emily Kocubinski

OTTB on Tap

Education EN ↓ 94 episodes

OTTB on Tap is a podcast focused on all aspects of Off Track Thoroughbreds. Hosted by Emily Kocubinski and Niamh O'Connell, the podcast explores the care, retraining, and experiences of OTTBs after their racing careers. The show features special series like the 'RRP Trainer Chronicles,' highlighting trainers preparing horses for the Retired Racehorse Project, and 'OTTB Underdogs,' sharing stories of horses overcoming the odds.

Author

Niamh O'Connell and Emily Kocubinski

Category

Education

Podcast website

ottbontap.com

Latest episode

Jul 2, 2026

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Episodes

Ep 19: "Go Vinnie, Go!" Heather Gillette and 'The White Wonder' take on the Kentucky Three Day Event 23.04.2024

Join us for Episode 19, where we chat candidly with Heather Gillette, 5-star event rider, graduate 'A' Pony Clubber from Spring Valley Hounds PC in NJ, USEF Licensed Eventing Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate, Co-Chairperson of the USEA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Co-Founder of Strides for Equality Equestrians. Not only is Heather a very experienced eventing competitor, as...

Ep 18 - Scouting the Way: Niamh's Strategic Journey to Fund Her Dream Horse 16.04.2024

Have you ever wondered if there was a shortcut to saving up to buy your dream horse? Well... maybe there is no shortcut, other than winning the lottery. But, you can buy and sell a series of horses in order to build enough capital to make that big purchase. In this episode, Scouting the Way: Niamh's Strategic Journey to Fund Her Dream Horse , our co-host, Niamh shares her path to eventually buying...

Ep 17 - OTTB on Tap Clinic Recap: Riding OTTBs with Olympian William Fox-Pitt 09.04.2024

William Fox-Pitt needs no introduction to Eventing fans: The British 3-Day Event Rider’s many awards include multiple Olympic, World Equestrian Games, and European Championship medals. In 2011, he became the first rider to win five different five-star events, having won the Burghley Horse Trials a record six times, Rolex Kentucky three times, Pau twice, the Badminton Horse Trials twice, and the Lu...

Ep. 16: Eventing Long Format on an OTTB, Part 3: Emily Makes a Splash at Rolex Kentucky 02.04.2024

In today’s episode, we continue with Part 3 of Emily’s story as she tells it to co-host Niamh about training and competing her OTTB, Alexander, up to the Advanced level of eventing. While still a Young Rider, she rode him at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in 1999. We’ll talk about the highs and lows of competing at the highest levels of eventing while also being a working student, competing on...

Ep 15: Eventing Long Format on an OTTB, Part 2: The Journey of Emily and Alex continues! 26.03.2024

Welcome back to OTTB on Tap, where we uncork the stories of off-the-track Thoroughbreds and the adventures they share with their devoted riders and trainers. In today's episode, we continue on the saga of Emily and her beloved OTTB partner, Alexander. Step back into the late 1990s and join Emily as she sets her sights on the advanced level of eventing, and in this episode, moves up with the challe...

Ep 14: RRP Trainer Chronicles: Where the Journey to Greatness Begins 12.03.2024

Episode 14 of OTTB on Tap is out now, and we're thrilled to introduce our latest series: "OTTB on Tap: RRP Trainer Chronicles – Where the Journey to Greatness Begins." In this episode, we're diving into the world of the Retired Racehorse Project Makeover 2024! Get ready to meet our four exceptional OTTB trainers: Annika Greaney-Stanger, Julianne Pangal, Chelsey O'Brien, and Lauren Garrett-Bond. Ea...

Ep. 13: What's a price tag? The value of buying an OTTB from a trusted reseller 27.02.2024

What's in a price? Let’s talk about the taboo topic of pricing an OTTB. Join us as we dive deep into the world of Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) and the often misunderstood practice of buying from resellers. Hosted by Niamh and Emily from OTTB on Tap, this episode features a candid conversation with Jessica Redman, founder of Benchmark Sporthorses, as we dissect the intricacies of determining...

Ep.12 -- Go Slow To Go Fast: Unlocking The Power of Bodywork for your OTTBs Transition w/Alisa Pitt 13.02.2024

Join us on this episode of OTTB on Tap as we delve into the world of post-track transitions with Alisa Pitt from ALP Equine, an equine bodyworker specializing in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs).In this insightful interview, Alisa shares her expertise on guiding OTTBs through their crucial first year off the racetrack. We explore the importance of evaluating an OTTB's needs right upon arrival,...

Ep. 11 -- My First OTTB: All the Mistakes I Made (and a few things I did right) 06.02.2024

Description: Join Emily and special guest Niamh in Episode 11 as they delve into the highs and lows of Niamh's first OTTB ownership experience with Riley. From the excitement of acquiring a horse to the challenges faced during their first year together, Niamh opens up about the mistakes she made and the valuable lessons learned. Emily, who played a pivotal role in Riley's journey, shares insights...

Ep. 10 -- OTTB Aftercare Spotlight: After The Races 30.01.2024

In this week's episode, we chat with Bonnie McRae, founder of 501(c)3 non-profit organization After The Races, a rehabilitation and rehoming program in Elkton, MD. We get to know Bonnie and her fascinating background, we learn about how and why she started After The Races, and get down to business discussing their current capital campaign to save their farm. They are currently at risk of losing th...

Ep.9 From Racetrack To Show Ring -- Using Exercise Rider Smarts When Restarting OTTBs 23.01.2024

In this week's episode, We delve into the journey or Emily Daignault-Salvaggio, a former exercise rider at the track who transitioned into the world of showjumping. Discover how her experiences, including competing at the Retired Racehorse Project have uniquely shaped her perspective on buying horses. Gain insight into the intricacies of her selection process, as she draws from her track backgroun...

Ep.8 --Assessments and First Rides, The Benchmark Way 16.01.2024

In this week's episode, we sit down again with Jessica Redman of Benchmark Sporthorses to pick her brain about how evaluates and assesses horses upon arrival and her process for a successful first ride. She gives us a firsthand behind-the-scenes look at her operation and shares some industry tips and tricks for setting your OTTB up for success.

Ep.7 -- What Resellers Wish You Knew About OTTBs 19.12.2023

In this week's episode, we use answers from a poll we took in our Facebook group OTTB Market where we asked Resellers, "What is one thing you wish buyers knew about OTTBs" -- we break down the answers into themes and discuss the responses and share some of our experiences, thoughts and opinions as well.

Ep. 6 -- Eventing Long Format: Why you wanted to be sitting on an OTTB 12.12.2023

In this week's episode, we talk to Emily (my cohost) and hear about her very first Classic Long Format (which just happened to be the NAYRC Championships) with her OTTB, Alex. We break down the elements of the long format and the training and preparation needed to compete in the late 90s. Emily gives us a first-hand account of what it was like getting her OTTB to his first long-format event and al...

Ep. 5 -- From The Reseller's Mouth: How to establish yourself as a reputable buyer 05.12.2023

In this week's episode, we join forces with Jessica Redman from Benchmark Sporthorses and discuss how to become a reputable buyer through the eyes of one of the most prolific resellers in the US. We go over some of the characteristics that resellers in a busy program would like to see from buyers, general etiquette, and things you can do to gain their trust and respect throughout the buying proces...

Ep. 4 -- Buying OTTBs in the 90s 21.11.2023

This week's episode features an interview with Emily by Niamh, digging deep into the background of how she acquired her upper-level horse, back in the 1990s. Buying horses of any kind 30 years ago looked a lot different from the luxury of online shopping today. Listen in to hear about how she factored budget, availability, conformation, gut feeling, and athleticism (and a little bit of luck) into...

Ep. 3 OTTB on Tap Buyer's Guide 13.11.2023

This episode is a walk-through of a buyer's guide we created to help navigate the process and information when you're searching for an OTTB. The PDF will be available for download at https://www.ottbontap.com/ep-3-ottb-on-tap-buyers-guide/

Ep.2 -- What's the one thing you wish you knew before buying your first OTTB? 07.11.2023

In this episode, we discuss answers given in our Facebook group OTTB Market. We asked the members to share with us what they wished they knew before they got their first OTTB. Emily and Niamh discuss the answers and share their experiences.

Ep.1 -- Meet your hosts! 28.10.2023

In this episode, you meet the hosts of OTTB on Tap, Emily Kocubinski, and Niamh O'Connell -- two lifelong horse girls who connected over their passion for OTTBs. We tell you about how we met and our individual backstories.

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