The Equestrian Podcast

[EP 255] New Generation Polo and How to Handle Burnout in the Height of the Game with Agustin Arellano

Agustin Arellano is currently on TEAM USA for polo and will be competing in the Federación Internacional de Polo (FIP), known as the polo Olympics. He has been officially announced as one of 8 top players on the USA Team who will compete in the XII FIP World Polo Championship. Agustin is a 3rd generation polo player, as his father is Julio Arellano, who is notably was one of the highest-rated polo players in America. His mother, Meghan Arellano, worked alongside his father to train the horses throughout his whole career. At the age of nine, Agustin realized he wanted to pursue a career in polo after his father won the triple crown, the three-26-goal tournaments in Wellington that hadn’t been won in decades. Agustin has already won more than 20 cups as a professional polo player, including the Texas and Kentucky Open. In addition to polo, Agustin shares a passion for wildlife conservation and models for an agency in his spare time. Listen in!

 

[EP 254] How Rebecca Hart Highlights Communication between the Horse and Rider

Rebecca Hart has been a part of the equestrian sport since 1998. Born with a rare genetic disease called hereditary spastic paraplegia, a progressive impairment that causes muscle wasting and paralysis from the middle of the back down, Rebecca found her love for horses and soon got involved with the Paralympic movement at a regional competition in Atlanta, Ga, during which she decided to aim for international competition. Now Rebecca is a 4-Time Paralympian (Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo) Bronze medalist, a World Equestrian Games Silver and Bronze medalist, and recently named to the 2022 US Para Dressage World Championships. Listen in! 

[EP 253] Sustainably Improving the Life of Working Equids with Annie Henderson

Annie Henderson is the Executive Director of the Equitarian Initiative, a global program that supports local communities and animal caregivers to deliver basic and advanced veterinary care to working horses, mules, and donkeys of the developing world that represent 90% of the world's horse population. The mission for Equitarian Initiative is to sustainably improve the health and welfare of working equids for families around the world who depend on these animals for trade, commerce, and transportation. Located in areas with less access to farm equipment and motor transportation, these families rely heavily on working equids as part of their livelihood, making veterinary care essential for both the animal and owner's survival.

[EP 252] How Gleneayre Equestrian Program Provides a Healthy Outlet for those Desiring a Connection with Horses

Gleneayre Equestrian Program is an equine facilitated learning opportunity and working student program that provides a hands-on, experience-based learning environment for people in difficult situations, including children, families, and military personnel. The Gleneayre Equestrian Program is centered around equine facilitated mental health and uses the powerful connection between horses and people to teach, learn, grow, and heal. With the help of Gleneayre Equestrian Program Founder, Ellen Healey and Executive Director, Bill Rube this program is able to thrive and support people through caring for horses.

[EP 251] How Rob Jacobs hones in on Building a Better Community for the Joy of Riding

Rob Jacobs (R.L. Jacobs) wears many hats within the industry but is probably best known for being a USEF "r" rated judge and a columnist for popular equestrian media source, Sidelines Magazine. Rob is also a well-known rider/trainer at Aleron Show Stables in Seattle, Washington, and is a USHJA certified trainer assisting in the development of individual talent. Rob has developed a talent for patiently bringing along horses & riders and helping them excel in the Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation rings. His attention to detail and passion for the sport is evident in his teachings. Listen in! 

 

[EP 250] Understanding Wild Horse Management Practices with Ann Souders

Ann Souders is a Community Engagement Coordinator for the Mustang Heritage Foundation, a non-profit, educational campaign focusing on raising awareness, providing education, and increasing the placement of wild horses and burros. Established in 2001, the Mustang Heritage Foundation maintains a goal of decreasing the number of wild horses and burros in BLM (Bureau of Land Management) holding facilities, by increasing the number of successful adoptions and placements into private care. The Mustang Heritage Foundation has a few programs to encourage the training and care of wild mustangs, including the Extreme Mustang Makeover, a training competition with a purpose to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of American mustang. Listen in!

 

 

[EP 249] How Horses bring out the Best in People with Bill Rube

Bill Rube is lifelong equestrian who has experience of all levels in the sport. Bill is currently Executive Director of the Gleneayre Equestrian Program, which offers Equine Facilitated Learning, Equine Facilitated Mental Health, and a unique Working Student Program for driven youth to match with horses in order to learn more about horse care and responsibility. Aside from his experience with Gleneayre, Bill has worked with USHJA to emphasizes the history of equestrian sport. After several years taking a break from the saddle, Bill started riding again during the pandemic and returned to the show ring as well once he realized it was something he needed in his life. Listen in!

[EP 248] How Pat Parelli Coined the name Natural Horsemanship

Pat Parelli is a living legend who began with creating a natural horsemanship program in 1982 with a purpose to improve the relationship between humans and horses. Pat's program is famous for promoting the concept of love, language, and leadership and has been nothing short of effective ever since. In 1984, Pat began teaching clinics, and eventually coined the name Natural Horsemanship in 1991. Pat Parelli has been featured in over 1,000 magazine articles and has had the opportunity to present privately for the Queen of England, President Reagan, Tony Robbins, Gene Autry, and Tom Selleck. 

[EP 247] How Jonathon Millar and Kelly Soleau-Millar Implement Care into their Expansive Training Program

Jonathon Millar and his wife, Kelly Soleau-Millar are accomplished equestrians based at Millar Brooke Farm in Perth, Ontario. Operating a busy training and sales business, the couple competes throughout North America and Europe, and recently opened new facilities in Wellington, FL. Jonathon has made quite a name for himself in the jumping ring and is the son of Canadian showjumping legend, Ian Millar. Kelly is a competitive Grand Prix rider who represented the United States in December of 2015. Together they are unstoppable. Listen in! 

 

[EP 246] How Archie Cox Lays the Groundwork for Judging Top Equitation Rounds for USHJA

In honor of Equitation Month over at @USHJA, we are celebrating alongside the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association in launching the We Are U.S. Hunter Jumper Campaign! For the month of June we will be hosting both a professional and junior rider to discuss all things Equitation Month.

Archie Cox is a well-known trainer and judge for some of the top Hunter/Jumper shows across the country. Currently based out of Southern California, Archie works with many different clients and horses in training at his very own Brookway Stables. Archie is highly regarded for one of his top wins back in 1985 as he became the first male rider in over ten years to win the United States Equestrian Team Gold Medal. Join us over at @ushunterjumper on June 24th for an Instagram Live Q&A with Archie Cox and Alexander Alston.