The Trainer's Wife

What do equine vaulting, psychology, professional bull riding, and reined cow horses have in common? Lizzy Horve-Clark. When Lizzy met Australian bull rider Brendon Clark, she was finishing graduate school and building a very different future. Today, she's the wife of an NRCHA trainer, a horse trainer herself, breeding manager for Red Arrow Ranch, and the steady force helping keep two thriving...

Today’s guest is NRCHA Hall of Fame horsewoman Dema Paul. With nearly $700,000 in NRCHA earnings, multiple Futurity Championships, and a lifetime spent competing at the highest levels of the cow horse industry, Dema has earned her place among the most accomplished women in the sport. Raised in California by parents who knew little about horses, Dema taught herself by watching trainers from the gra...

On this episode of The Trainer’s Wife, I’m sitting down with Kim Lyon. Professionally, Kim is a commercial real estate executive specializing in office and industrial properties, where she has built a successful career rooted in relationships, business development, and strategic leadership. In the western industry, Kim is married to AQHA, NRHA & NSBA professional horseman Bud Lyon, whose progr...

Today’s conversation is one I will treasure for a very long time. This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Marilyn Peters — horsewoman, trainer’s wife, NRCHA and AQHA judge, mother, horse trainer, and truly one of my personal heroes. At 76 years young, Marilyn is still riding horses, breeding mares, and continuing the life she and her husband Pete built together over decades in the hors...

This week’s episode is a little different — and really special to me. Over the last 35 years, today’s guest has helped shape the western equine industry - both literally & figuratively - one hat at a time through craftsmanship, consistency, relationships, and showing up for people. I’m incredibly thankful for partners like Shorty's Caboy Hattery, who believe in what I'm building throug...

One of the things I hear over and over from women in this industry is this: “We love this life… but it’s a lot.” It’s a lot to support it. To build around it. To raise kids in it. And to figure out who you are inside of it. Today’s conversation with Kailey Gay is one I think a lot of you are going to recognize yourselves in. Kailey and her husband, Jason, have built their life in the Western equin...

This episode is a collection of real moments from conversations with women across the western equine industry. Different lives… same themes: – carrying the behind-the-scenes weight – navigating pressure and expectations – learning to support, adapt, and keep going And somewhere in the middle of it all… finding connection, perspective, and a way to keep your cup full. This is what this life really...

There are seasons in life where everything changes at once. For Jodie Scheffel, it wasn’t just one shift—it was all of it. From Clovis, California… to Rice Lake, Wisconsin. From independence… to marriage, motherhood, and building a life alongside a horse trainer. A new place. A new role. A completely new rhythm. And as she’ll be the first to tell you— she had to grow into it. In the middle of long...

✨ This week on The Trainer’s Wife… something new  ✨ For the first time, we’re hearing from the other side of the story — a  Trainer’s Husband. Meet Tucker Robinson. NRCHA Million Dollar Rider. Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion. Raised in a legacy — but built in his own way. And married to someone you already know. Tina Robinson — a cow horse trainer in her own right, with over $247,000 in NRCHA earn...

This week on The Trainer’s Wife… Episode 31  Some people grow up in this industry. And some… grow  into themselves  because of it. This week, I sat down with  Tina Robinson  — NRCHA professional, horsewoman, wife, and mom. With over $247,000 in NRCHA earnings and a career built over years in the show pen, Tina is someone this industry knows and respects.  But what stands out to me isn’t just what...

Nine months pregnant. No job. No health insurance. A mortgage and a baby on the way. When Brooke Johnson found herself suddenly facing one of the most uncertain moments of her life, she did what many horsewomen know how to do best — she figured it out and kept moving forward. In this episode of  The Trainer’s Wife , Jennifer Bishop sits down with Brooke in Weatherford, Texas to talk about resilien...

Some women are born into the horse industry. Some marry into it. Some build their place in it over a lifetime. And some… do all three. This week on  The Trainer’s Wife , I sat down in the Fort Worth Stockyards with Sandy Jirkovsky — Director of Judges & Professional Horsemen for the American Paint Horse Association, industry judge, horse trainer, mother, grandmother… and a woman whose story sp...

🎙️  This week on  The Trainer’s Wife Podcast , I’m honored to welcome  Susan Marvin —a woman whose story is rooted in faith, discipline, and building something lasting from the ground up. Susan and her husband, Tommy Marvin spent decades shaping a respected legacy in the cutting horse industry. Tommy is a Hall of Fame member with over $2.3 million in  National Cutting Horse Association  earnings a...

Permission Without Punishment — Episode 3 of my mini-series is finally here. This one is about the quiet ways we keep paying for things we’ve already learned from. If you’ve ever thought: “I should be past this by now.” “I haven’t earned ease yet.” “I can’t slow down.” You’re not alone. This episode is an invitation to release what no longer serves you — without losing your integrity. 💛 Thanks fo...

Today’s guest embodies grit, grace, and quiet excellence in the Western performance horse world. Meet  Veronica Swales . Professional horse trainer. Wife to a professional horse trainer. Mom. Competitor. Survivor. 💙 Veronica and her husband, Clay Volmer, are both Top 30 riders in the NRCHA — representing the very best of the reined cow horse industry. 🏆 Over $748,000 in NRCHA earnings🏆 NRCHA St...

Lowering My Shield  🛡️ I’ve spent most of my life being very good at working hard, pushing through, and figuring things out on my own. Resilience has always been a strength for me. But recently, I’ve been learning that resilience can also become a shield — one that protects us not just from pain, but sometimes from receiving something good. This solo episode is an honest reflection on what it look...

Today’s episode is a little different—and deeply meaningful. I’m honored to share a conversation with  Jessica Draper —wife of a U.S. Army Green Beret and the Director of Organizational Development at  War Horses for Veterans . Jessica’s passion for service extends far beyond one role. In addition to her work supporting veterans and first responders through the War Horses Network, she is also a hi...

We hear a lot about being resilient—and are even praised for it. I’ve always thought it was a strong character trait. Recently, though, I’ve been learning how resilience may be better relied upon as a tool rather than something that defines us. I want my character to be defined by how I connect with others—and how I stay connected to myself. This mini-series is where I begin to explore what that l...

Have you ever heard cheering in a quiet arena? One steady voice rising above the silence—not because success is rare, but because there’s  always  something worth celebrating. Effort. Try. Heart. Progress. Commitment. Today, you’ll meet  Ramona Wold . I can honestly say I have never met a woman so unwavering, so devoted, and so confidently proud in her support of the people and passions she loves....

In today’s episode, I sit down with Cameron Baldus — the heart behind Baldus Horsemanship and the wife of accomplished horseman Ben Baldus. While the Baldus name is well known across multiple arenas, this conversation centers on Cameron and the many roles she holds that make both their business and life possible. Cameron is a successful Western wear model, a budding chef, and the full-time adminis...

Welcome to Episode 20 of  The Trainer’s Wife ! It’s a milestone episode for the podcast—and it arrives at the perfect moment for our guest, Nina Hammerness, wife of NRCHA professional Luke Hammerness. Luke wrapped up 2025 as not only a two-time Intermediate Open Finalist at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, but this year he also earned a spot in the Open Finals. With just over $120,000 in NRCHA earnings,...

In this episode, I sit down with  Beth Steffen , wife of  Shane Steffen—2021 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman and one of the association’s newest Million Dollar Riders . Beth and Shane make their home in  Prineville, Oregon , where they’re building their new facility and raising their family, while cultivating a thriving equine business rooted in faith and purpose. As the Steffens continue to grow...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with  Mrs. Cheryl Winters , the wife of renowned Natural Horsemanship Clinician and NRCHA Professional  Richard Winters . Together, the two have built a thriving partnership both in marriage and in business over the past forty years, with Cheryl playing an essential role in shaping their shared success. Cheryl is a remarkable example of the many...

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Dare, who is the wife of NRHA Professional and earner of $1.9 Million in the sport of Reining, Trevor Dare! Laura brings a unique perspective to The Trainer's Wife, as a Non Pro Cutter (NCHA), equine nutrition enthusiast, mother of 2, and self-proclaimed Chaos Coordinator. We had a wonderful conversation about her early years as an equine pharmaceutical r...

In this episode, I sit down with Rhonda Holmes — wife of NRCHA Professional and winner of multiple AQHA World Championships! This conversation took place during the 2025 Riata Buckle Championship at the Lazy E in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Rhonda and Jay loaded the trailer with the team roping horses and made the journey from Florida. This couple has been successful in Cutting, Roping, and Reined Cow hors...