Walking and Talking With Karl Cook

Let’s explore one of the most unique features of the Swelham Bit — the swivel mechanism. Unlike traditional bits where the shanks move together, the swivel action allows the bit to move independently, providing riders with more flexibility, easier turns, and a lighter feel in the hand. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference! More precision, more options, but also more responsibility for t...

WALKING AND TALKING!!! Caracole for the win in Saint Tropez League of Nations 5*!! Three CSIO grand prixs in a row!! Rollie, I love you so much!! Thank you, everyone @pomponioranch and @usajumping, for the opportunity. Now it is on to the Nations Cup final!!!

WALKING AND TALKING!!! Holy FOXY lady! Five Star Clear! Getting to know a horse is always a journey of discovery and adaptation. The job is to change who you are and how you ride to meet your horse where they are. You have to think and train accurately, so when you get in the ring, you can just ride. Do, don’t think.

WALKING AND TALKING!!! KALINKA, you show us every day that with a true heart and deep grit, anything is possible. We have had a long journey together so far, but you wake up every day and say, Watch this! Your character lifts us all up. You demand a lot from all those around you, but you give all in return. You were born with wings. I love you. @pomponioranch

WALKING AND TALKING!! Let’s talk about @fei stewards, deep breath, it’s not what you think. Stewards being hired, fired, and paid by the show management is a blatant conflict of interest, like students hiring and paying their teachers. How stewards are hired and the pathway of how they are paid needs to be changed to improve their independence. Furthermore, the repercussions for misusing and break...

WALKING AND TALKING!! Let’s talk about nosebands and the new protocol for noseband tightness testing. This little wedge has caused quite the ruckus, I feel, which has all been directed in the wrong direction. Going from a subjective test to an objective one is fantastic, and I applaud @fei for their effort. Unfortunately, their marketing department has been a bit too cavalier with their messaging.

WALKING AND TALKING!! Fox laying down another amazing round. Each round, I feel I am getting closer and closer. We made some changes in the bit and some changes in the ride, which are bringing everything into a great window. We’ll go back down for a calm 130/140 before we make our next step up. LETS GOO!

WALKING AND TALKING!!! Europe recap while cruising around on miss Caracole at home. Every day I am more and more amazed with Caracole and everything she is. She impels everyone around her to be better in the most inspiring way!

WALKING AND TALKING!!! The Rolex Falsterbo Grand Prix. Queen Caracole! What more can be said! You are everything! I love you so much. What an amazing show and amazing experience.

We’ve had a few people reach out asking where to find our Walking & Talking products—like our signature Hoof Oil, made for healthy, show-ready hooves, and the Swelham Bit, designed for precision and versatility in the ring. Both are available through our official store. Just tap the link in our bio to explore the full collection.

Big news. I’ve officially partnered with @Ariatequestrian as my exclusive team clothing sponsor. For years, I’ve held off on sponsorships because I valued the freedom to choose what worked best, especially when it came to gear that impacts how we perform. But Ariat’s consistency, commitment to quality, and deep roots in American horse sport made this decision feel not just right but necessary. The...

WALKING AND TALKING!!! Let’s break down the key differences between European and American shows. The pros, the cons, and what we can learn from both. This can be a touchy topic, it’s not about which one is better but about what we can learn from each.

WALKING AND TALKING: It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am to be back in the ring with Kalinka. This was her first show back after a long road of recovery, and just walking into that arena with her again was emotional. I missed her fire, her focus, and that incredible feeling she gives each round. We’ve taken our time, done the work, and trusted the process. It felt amazing to have her out...

WALKING AND TALKING!! Let’s talk about the Rome Nations Cup and how jumping the course twice allows for adjustments to tried and tested methods. Super interesting, especially the last line, where I rode it two different ways with different results. It was a super cool learning experience for me.

WALKING AND TALKING!! It’s Foxy time! Finally, show time! We have been slowly and methodically doing our work, and it was finally time to show, and boy, did Foxy not disappoint. So many people have been a part of this journey so far, from @victorbettendorf and his family to everyone @pomponioranch thank you so, so much. Here we go, y’all!

Walking and Talking - The round pen is a key part of the training process. Its shape encourages the horse to stay engaged and focused while allowing for consistent direction and pace. It’s an ideal space for building communication, reinforcing cues, and working through foundational exercises.#RoundPenTraining #HorseTrainingBasics #KarlCook #Horsemanship #EquestrianEducation

Walking & Talking: Counting strides is more than just knowing the number between fences; it’s about planning your ride. Whether it’s a forward five or a holding six, knowing the count lets you make the right call for your horse’s stride, pace, and balance. It’s especially critical in combinations and related lines where rhythm and adjustability make or break a round. Dialing in your plan with...

WALKING AND TALKING!! We have new Swelham sizes! Get excited; we are adding different sizes of the swelham to our catalog. We have listened to you all, getting shorter shanks and softer mouthpieces. There are plenty more to come as well.

WALKING AND TALKING!! Let’s keep learning about the swelham. I have received a lot of great questions, both online and in person, so let’s talk about them. This may be the perfect bit for you or maybe not today, but the more we know, the better.

WALKING AND TALKING!!! I am so excited! @vogel has finally brought my dreams to life. After many years of work with other manufacturers, it is finally time to show the world our brand-new tall boot design. It meant to solve all of the problems I was having while maintaining a beautiful aesthetic. These are unlike anything you have seen or felt, and you must try them, whether custom or off-the-shel...

WALKING AND TALKING!! Let’s goo Home Run, we had the 4* in Wellington last week and she was amazing I am so proud of her. When moving up there are some things to think about and consider which I go over. Let’s also update on miss lady Foxy! @grace_tituss @pomponioranch @kask_equestrian @vogel_equestrian @ariatequestrian

Walking and Talking!!! Let’s goo Home Run!! No seriously her name is Home Run. We have had a great few classes in Florida so far. I feel it will be super interesting to see how I take learning from one round and carry it to the next to make rapid change in how fast we are able to go. Homie you’re amazing and thank you @mtengell and @riderinbalance for the bottle from @feddie_ocean_distillery. Let’...

WALKING AND TALKING!! There is so much talk about the ‘ideal’ footing. Sometimes, the ideal footing is specific for the precise work you want your horse to do. In that vein, given specific particular goals, let’s consider how slippery grass can be beneficial. Generally, good proprioception in your horse is built with multiple types of footing, not one ‘ideal’ footing. #Equestrian #HorseTraining #S...

WALKING AND TALKING!! When it comes to your home arena footing, everyone has an opinion—but what truly matters? In this video, I break down the process of building our own show-jumping footing from scratch, explaining the key factors that influence performance, safety, and longevity. The Most Important Rule? Consistency! Before you fine-tune materials or maintenance, your footing must feel the sam...

WALKING AND TALKING!! My boy Mac is killing it! 2* gp here in thermal. He killed it today, and his groom, Sarah, had the best day!