The Trainer's Wife

In this episode, I sit down with Tammy Hays — wife of NRCHA Professional and World's Greatest Horseman, Shawn Hays. Our conversation covered a wide range of topics: raising kids, investing in real estate, pushing through hard times, offering emotional support — and even how being covered in frozen afterbirth can totally shift your perspective. I’ve known Tammy since the mid-1990s and have alwa...

In Episode 14, I welcome Mrs. Carol Williamson from Rio Verde, Arizona. Carol is the wife of life long horseman, cowboy and trainer, Doug Williamson. In August of 2024, Carol lost her best friend but his legacy and their love live on in our western performance horse industry. At 82, Doug had earned many titles, such as NRCHA Million Dollar Rider, NRCHA Hall of Fame Member, and two time Snaffle Bit...

In Episode 13, Pam Crawford shares her story with us shedding light on not only the early years, but her career as a breeding manager, realtor and trainer's wife. She and husband Todd, have just celebrated 45 years of marriage! As we spoke she revealed layer upon layer of what has made their marriage work in the western performance horse world as Todd grew to be an icon in not only the reined...

Episode 12, of The Trainer's Wife, was recorded during the NRCHA Derby in Scottsdale, AZ, with local wife, Mindy Barkemeyer, who says she married her best friend, over twenty years ago and has never looked back! Brad is an NRCHA Professional, World's Greatest Horseman Finalist, and has NRCHA earnings of $240,000 to date. Most importantly, they have a beautiful family, thriving business, an...

In the episode, I talk with Chelsi Johnson, from Twin Falls, Idaho. She is the wife of NRCHA Professional, JD Johnson who has started to excel in the reined cow horse arena over the last several years. The couple splits their time between Idaho and Arizona, taking advantage of all the Grand Canyon State has to offer during long winter months up north. Chelsi shares stories about being the wife of...

In the episode, I talk with LaDona Emmons, from Ione, CA. She is the wife of Ron Emmons ~ Two time, World's Greatest Horseman, NRCHA Professional and Hall of Fame Member. LaDona shares important lessons about business and finance, and how she and Ron manage those things together with transparency. She also recognizes the importance of the support and connection with other wives in the business...

In this episode, I talk with Brianna Koch, wife of NRCHA Million Dollar Rider, Matt Koch. She tells us about life growing up in Alaska, and her journey into the horse world. She also opens up about the sacrifices she and Matt have made to enhance the life of their child. Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife. A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s i...

In the episode, I talk with Jennifer Gillespie. She is the wife of NRCHA Professional, Judge and Commentator, Taylor Gillespie. Jen is candid with us about how she learned to manage their income taxes in a way to allow a self employed horse trainer to obtain a home mortgage - great information to have! She also talks about her husband's military career and their new opportunity with War Horses...

In this episode, I welcome Tricia Gilson of Sanger, California. She is the Horse Division Manager of Booth Ranches, as well as being the wife of Professional Horseman, Tracer Gilson, who trains reined cow horses and reiners . Tricia brings us very insightful information in regard to finances, raising children in the industry and remembering how to be a soft place to fall for your husband, in a wor...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife. A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife.  A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife.  A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife.  A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife. A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife.  A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...

Welcome to, The Trainer’s Wife.  A podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers. These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train...