The Equestrian Podcast

[EP 341] How Kelly Giordano Prioritizes the Dream Behind Avenue Equestrian and Building Her Business

Kelly Giordano is the CEO of Avenue Equestrian, Executive Director for the Equestrian Podcast, and a certified Horse Girl! When she's not riding, Kelly enjoys working with new businesses at Avenue Equestrian as an Equestrian Business Consultant & Strategist. Kelly has many years of experience under her belt working in corporate positions, starting her own business, and helping other business grow to their full potential. After taking a break from the equestrian world in college, Kelly returned to horses at full spend and enjoys riding her own horse, Crosby. Listen in!

[EP 340] Never Giving Up in the Wake of Loss with Paige Jardin

Paige Jardine is a 29-year-old Showjumper operating out of Guardian Stables with her boyfriend Nicky Galligan. Originally from Australia, Paige has been living abroad in the US for the last 10 years. She’s had a challenging last year, losing her beloved mare Chaccara Blue, but is more committed than ever to pursue the highest levels of this sport. Listen in!

[EP 339] The Importance of Correct Saddle Fitting with Amanda Anderson

Amanda Anderson is a trained saddle fitter with over 20 years of experience helping horses and riders better understand saddle fit and its impact to performance. With over 4,800 hours of instruction from a German Master Saddler, Amanda focuses on how anatomy and biomechanics influence saddle fit. Using “science and common sense” Amanda is passionate about helping riders understand how their saddle works and resolving common problems that are impacting our horses. Listen in!

[EP 338] Philip Richter Shares the High Points of Lake Placid Horse Show

Philip Richter serves as Treasurer of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show, and is on the board of directors for the Hampton Classic Horse Show, the United States Equestrian Federation and more. Additionally, Philip is the president and co-founder of New York-based Hollow Brook Wealth Management, LLC, a leading independent wealth management firm that manages and advises capital on behalf of families, foundations, endowments, pension plans, and individuals. In his spare time Philip is an amateur equestrian show jumper and has successfully campaigned his horses on the “A” circuit for over three decades. Listen in!

[EP 337] Changing the Role of Hunter Judging with U.S. Equestrian Federation R-rated Judge Sissy Wickes

You may recognize her from the judges stand or perhaps from her articles in the Plaid Horse Magazine- Sissy Wickes is a Princeton University (New Jersey) graduate, a lifelong rider and trainer, a U.S. Equestrian Federation R-rated judge, a freelance journalist, and an autism advocate. Her resume includes extensive show hunter and jumper experience and she has served on the USHJA board of directors and the USEF National Breeds and Disciplines Council. Sissy currently lives with her family in Unionville, Pennsylvania, and Wellington, Florida. Listen in!

[EP 336] An Introduction to Positive Reinforcement with Shawna Karrasch

Shawna Karrasch is a pioneer in the use of Positive Reinforcement Training with horses. Her powerful and humane behavioral training techniques are an eye-opening experience for equine professionals, competitors, and amateurs alike. She has produced books and videos, and traveled worldwide to teach the concepts of bridge conditioning and positive reinforcement for horses. Shawna began her training career far outside the equestrian world, and when she was introduced to top equestrian competition, Shawna saw immediately how reward-based training could be used to engage the horse’s willingness in equestrian pursuits. Shawna has worked with many equestrians, most notably, John + Beezie Madden, and helped Beezie’s horse to overcome his fear of water. Listen in!

[EP 335] How Changing Your Mindset Becomes the Greatest Benefit to Strength and Conditioning with Coach Tony Sandoval

Tony Sandoval (aka Coach Sando) is a D1 Strength and Conditioning Coach who got his start in the equestrian space after he worked with a severely injured rider to bring her back to competition. Soon after her progress, Coach Sando decided working solely with equestrians was his passion. Being a rider himself, Coach Sando knows how to help riders feel connected to their horses and sharp in the ring by understanding how to increase their physical and mental skills. Coach Sando loves watching his students ride and compete in order to help them achieve their goals, and his team is passionate about using their experience to help riders become more athletic, ride with less pain, and feel more confident about their abilities. Listen in!

[EP 334] Tamie Smith Recaps Her Historic Win at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event

Tamie Smith is an accomplished equestrian and ICP Level 4 Certified Instructor with over 25 years of industry experience. Specializing in Eventing, Tamie recently became the first US Winner of the Kentucky Land Rover 3 Day Event in 15 years, the first woman to win the event in 12 years, and the first US woman to win the event in 18 years. In addition to having ridden Dressage at the Grand Prix level and having earned multiple Show Jumping accolades, Tamie has made a name for herself with career highlights including being named to the United States Developing and Elite Rider List multiple times (a proven training ground of the United States Olympic Team), participating as the fourth member of team USA and the traveling reserve in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, winning team silver at the 2022 World Equestrian Games, and more. Tamie takes great pride in each horse she works with and has developed excellent training skills. Achieving her long time goal of representing the United States in an Olympics or World Equestrian Games would be a dream come true and culminate her already fantastic equestrian career. Listen in!

[EP 333] How Ashlynn Meuchel Transitioned to a New Riding Discipline

Ashlynn began riding horses at a young age in Kalispell, Montana. She began competing in three day eventing at age eleven in the Northwest area of the country. Since then, her career in three day eventing has taken her all over the United States. She spent time on the eventing circuit in California before graduating college and moving to the East coast in order to pursue eventing as a full time career. Ashlynn works with horses and riders to achieve results through consistent education. Ashlynn has recently decided to pivot her personal career goals to focus on show jumping. She still trains her eventing clients, using what she learns across both disciplines to develop top horses and riders. Listen in!

[EP 332] How Christian Simonson Developed A Learning Framework for Balancing Life and Being in the Saddle

Christian Simonson is an accomplished dressage rider with many diverse interests. Inspired by his mother’s interest in riding, Christian discovered Dressage at the young age of six. He quickly became the protégé of USDF Gold Medalist, Gail Hoff Carmona and when, by the age of 13, Christian was ready to start showing at a national level, began training under the tutelage of Olympian, Jan Ebeling in Moorpark, Ca. He subsequently won both the Gold Team medal and Silver Individual medal in the 2016 Adequan/FEI NAYC, and the Silver Individual medal at the 2017 Adequan/FEI NAYC. Additionally, he was awarded the USDF Bronze and Silver medal that year. Christian and his horse Sonny were recently ranked number 1 in the CDIO 1* world rankings, along with Zeaball now second in the CDIO1* horse rankings. Listen in!