The Freelance Remuda: Navigating the Equine Media Frontier

Welcome to our milestone episode 60! In our first segment, we have important news to share about our Freelance Remuda podcast—you don't want to miss it. In our second segment, we have a great interview with Tayler Bicandi, Chief Social Strategist with Incanto Sports Group . She's an equine media pro who leads digital storytelling for top Western athletes and brands. We hope you enjoy our conversat...

Welcome to Episode 59, where we are unpacking media package pricing! The rise of private media hasn't slowed, and more freelancers are finding their niche helping clients shine at horse shows. Today, we have Chelsea Lothrop of Chelsea Lothrop Photography with us, who covers English events for clients. Chelsea loves numbers, so she helps break down pricing for packages, plus we chat about creating...

In today's episode, Abigail & Kate talk about our summer activities—work related and otherwise— and then visit with Ross Hecox , who we've both worked with in various capacities. We talk about his career and shifting with the times, and we really appreciated his insights on the state of publishing, and being lifelong storytellers. We hope you enjoy!

We have a nice long episode for you today! Kate and Abigail discuss their hectic recent weeks, including a fun story-gathering trip and Freelance Remuda retreat together in South Dakota, then we chat with Solo Select Horses founder Melanie Smith about how she uses marketing to promote her multiple equine businesses. Lastly, fellow equine media pro Jennifer Denison joined us during our Freelance Re...

In today's episode, Kate and Abigail talk about our experiences with equine event media policies, we have a great conversation with event photographer Stacy Judd , and we end by a short discussion about publication freelancer contracts and guidelines. We hope our conversation today offers insights on equine event media, and we'd love to hear your thoughts!

Welcome to our first episode of 2025! Kate and Abigail discussed goals and upcoming projects for The Freelance Remuda, and then we sat down with marketing expert Chelsea Sutton . Chelsea's unique skill set includes solid business and marketing knowledge , plus a deep background in equine events. She's a notable horse show announcer and podcast producer, and brings an infectious energy to our conve...

In Episode 54, we're chatting about small businesses and defining your version of success! Abigail and Kate discuss their experiences and challenges in balancing horse show life with freelance work, and then dig into interviews with two social media and marketing experts: Kelly Giardano of Avenue Equestrian , and Denise Alvarez of Stormlily Marketing. These guests shared strategies for marketing a...

In Episode 53, we're chatting about social media! Our extended interview is with social media consultant Lydia Kyle, where she gives LOTS of great advice. And in our intro segment, we're announcing our upcoming Freelance Remuda Cowboy Country Workshop.

In Episode 52, Abigail and Kate are talking about equine books! First, Kate and Abigail discuss Abigail's experiences writing her first book , which is coming out this summer. Next, we chat with Rebecca Didier, managing editor and graphic designer at Trafalgar Square Books, the leading publisher of equestrian books and videos. We hope our conversations are helpful, whether you're looking to write...

In this episode we are digging into marketing: freelancing as a marketing professional, and promoting your services and brand authentically. We discuss how we're handling summer schedules and upcoming pitching season, and dive deep into conversations with Ashton Kirkeide and Mackenzie Kimbro.   **This is the FULL episode with nearly 30 extra minutes. The previous Episode 47 cut off at 52 minutes,...

In Episode 51, Abigail and Kate visited with two movers and shakers in the equine video and Western television media scene! First, we talked to Lily Rhodes, a digital marketer and social media manager who creates content we love for equine brands. Next, we chatted with Karlee Peterson, an executive producer at The Cowboy Channel, about her rise from interning at the National High School Rodeo Fina...

In Episode 50, we're talking with two equine media professionals about AI – Artificial Intelligence – and how it is changing the way we create! We visit with photographer Shelley Paulson about how she's seen AI affect photographers and the images being generated. In segment two, we visit with writer and marketer Katie Navarra Bradley about how AI can be used to a writer's benefit. We hope you find...

This is our last episode of 2023, and today Kate Bradley Byars and Abigail Boatwright discuss our thoughts on the current state of equine media—print, digital, social media and more. We are then joined by the king of equine podcasts, Glenn Hebert for an insightful chat about where podcasting is today. Holly Caccamise of Horse llustrated rounded out our conversation as we discussed print and digita...

In today's episode, you'll hear conversations with "Cowgirl Comedian" Chelsea Edsall and quintessential freelancer Lizzie Iwersen. Both of these amazing women are carving their own career paths out of opportunities that present themselves through friendships and connections they have made in the horse world. In our first segment, Kate and Abigail chat about our new freelancer retreat, and some of...

In this episode Kate and Abigail are digging into marketing: freelancing as a marketing professional, and promoting your services and brand authentically. We discuss how we're handling summer schedules and upcoming pitching season, and dive deep into conversations with freelance marketing pro Ashton Kirkeide and Western influencer Mackenzie Kimbro.  Let us know what you think of this episode - you...

In this episode, Kate and Abigail discuss some recent adventures with work, and in the main segment we visited with author Liz Hughey about her children's book series featuring mule packing. We also share a preview of the self-marketing for freelancers panel that we are co-moderating at the upcoming American Horse Publications annual conference, and a bit about two other sessions in which we are p...

In Episode 45, Abigail and Kate explore how to get the most out of learning opportunities: workshops, online courses and other means to improve your craft and broaden your niche. We talked with photographer Chris Dickinson about his photography journey and his sought-after photography retreats, and Nicole Poyo Brennan about her evolution from Virginia college student to Great Basin ranch photograp...

Welcome to Episode 44 of The Freelance Remuda. In this episode, Abigail and Kate talk about Kate's recent trip to the Art of the Cowgirl and Abigail's current book project. We also interviewed two photographers: rodeo photographer Christopher "Click" Thompson, and equine/wildlife/fine art photographer Phyllis Burchett. Our wonderful guests shared so much of their interesting experiences, as well a...

Welcome to another episode of The Freelance Remuda! Today, Kate and Abigail kick us off by discussing how we found the right audience for each of our businesses. Next, we talked with equine portrait photographer Rachel Griffin about how she established her business in a new location and how she's rebranded. And finally, we discussed building a client base, rebranding, and how trainers work with eq...

In today's episode, Kate and Abigail discuss what working at max capacity looks like, and how we figure out what the ideal workload is for ourselves. We also interviewed Jessie Jarvis, founder and CEO of ag and western job site Of the West about finding a job in the agricultural world; and Freelance Remuda's first repeat guest, Jen Paulson of Jen Paulson Creative, about the importance of community...

Welcome to the 40th episode of the Freelance Remuda Podcast! You may notice a few changes starting with this episode, mainly a new format. We're experimenting with recording several segments for one episode, and we'd sure love your feedback! Whether this is your first episode with us or your 40th, we're glad you're here, and we're thankful you're spending your valuable time with us.  Nichole Chiri...

Today Abigail and Kate talked with Catie Staszak, a multimedia equine sports journalist. She has been an announcer and color commentator at major showjumping events and has appeared on television for a variety of sports television networks. She's also written for many major equine magazines. Catie is the CEO of Catie Staszak Media Inc, a boutique media agency focusing on storytelling-based marketi...

If you're wanting to get your feet wet in freelancing for equine media, event coverage is an excellent place to start. There is a real need for more writers to cover the vast number of horse shows occurring all over the place for magazines and websites. HOWEVER, event coverage is a unique form of journalism. Before you head out to your local rodeo, we want to talk about what you need to know to do...

We talk a lot about writing and photography on this podcast, but another important role in equine media is graphic design. Graphic artists are critical to producing eye-catching logos, layouts, infographics and websites…the list is endless. Here to talk with us today is Avery Shifflett from Denim and Velvet, an all-in-one agency serving Western brands. We are so excited to chat with Avery, and we...