The Equestrian Podcast

[EP 245] Celebrating Equitation Month Alongside USHJA with Alex Alston

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.

Alexander Alston is a junior rider from Ohio with experience in all three rings, and major success in the equitation ring. Alex trains with Missy Clark at Northrun Stables, and in 2021 he won the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic aboard his horse Campreoll. Alex was fifth at medal finals last summer and his team won bronze at Young Riders. Finishing out his junior career, Alex has big aspirations to move up in the rankings and continue doing what he loves. Listen in as Alex's shares how to execute the perfect equitation round and join us over at @ushunterjumper on June 24th for an Instagram Live Q&A! 

[EP 244] How Lisa Veltri Creates Fashionable Backpacks for the Every Day Active Lifestyle

Lisa Veltri is a fashion industry veteran and founder of Veltri, a brand responsible for versatile, functional backpacks and accessories which are responsibly made with sustainability in mind. Veltri began in the summer of 2021 as a collection carefully crafted with a luxury sensibility, and thoughtful purpose in mind. All products use the highest quality recycled and vegan materials because environmental awareness and animal rights are at the forefront of all decisions. For Lisa, the goal is to responsibly provide high-end products with the style that an active consumer desires! Being a mom of a daughter who rides, Lisa understood the assignment when it came to spacing and what every rider needs to be able to pack ringside.

[EP 243] Sights Set for 2024 Paralympics and How Andie Sue Roth Makes her Goals a Reality

Andie Sue Roth is an active Pony Club member and a C-2 certified member in Horse Management, Dressage, Traditional Eventing and Western. Aside from her activities in Pony Club, Andie Sue is currently pursuing her riding career in Dressage, and recently she completed her USDF Bronze Medal with her trainer and former guest, Lisa Hellmer. After being adopted from China at just fifteen months old with a severely deformed leg and foot at birth, Andie Sue's leg was amputated below the knee once she got to the United States. At two years old Andie Sue was able to get her first prosthetic leg for walking, and with the help of her surgeons was able to get a prosthetic leg for riding as well.

Andie Sue has her sights set on competing in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

[EP 242] Zac Purton Describes Life as a Successful Jockey during the Height of COVID-19

Zac Purton is a professional jockey based in Hong Kong and is a member of one of the most prestigious clubs in racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. With over 120 wins and 581 rides under his belt in the 2021-2022 season, Zac has been making big moves in the racing industry ever since he got started. Growing up in Australia, Zac decided he wanted to become a jockey at the young age of fourteen and today he celebrates his 1,400th Hong Kong win with $166,008,615 stakes won. Listen in!

[EP 241] How Lissa Bachner Overcame Impossible Odds with her ”Seeing Eye Horse”, Milo

Lissa Bachner, a legally blind rider, has been ranked among the country's leading amateur equestrians with one of the most incredible stories to date. When she was three, Lissa was diagnosed with Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and Uveitis. By the time she was thirty, Lissa had lost her left eye and most of the vision in her right eye. Regardless of her lack of vision, she continued to ride and compete at show jumping's highest level in the hunter ring. Lissa has been ranked among the top 20 amateur riders four times and has led the country twice ranked as the nation's top Adult Hunter Rider. In 2007, Lissa was the top Amateur Owner Rider, and to this day she is the only legally blind equestrian in American who jumps horses over 3'6" fences. As an author, Lissa has been able to share her inspiring story about the horse who changed her life and the incredible bond they shared. Listen in!

[EP 240] Dr. Barbara Murphy Introduces Light Therapy for Breeding and Performance

Dr. Barbara Anne Murphy is the Head of Equine Science at UCD, and creator of The Equilume Light Mask. Prior to her PhD in Veterinary Science from the prestigious Gluck Equine Research Center in Kentucky, she completed a BSc in Equine Science at the University of Limerick. Having worked for both Coolmore and Darley, Dr. Murphy has spent much time within the Thoroughbred industry and is an expert in the field of Equine Chronobiology. Dr. Murphy regularly speaks at international veterinary conferences and contributes frequently to equine publications in relation to the influence of light on equine reproduction and performance. As a native of West Cork, Dr. Murphy drives the R&D component of Equilume, constantly striving to find new, innovative ways to improve health and performance in horses.

[EP 239] How Three-Day Eventing Rider Sharon White Keeps a Positive Attitude when Training for Success

Sharon White is an international CCI5* three-day eventing rider, trainer and Level 4 USEA ICP Certified Instructor based at Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. With over 25 years of experience as a professional equestrian, Sharon is a well-respected and dedicated horsewoman who always seeks to do her best by the horses first. Sharon has 10 visits to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (formerly known as Rolex Kentucky) with five different horses. She has also traveled overseas to contest CCI5* events at Lühmuhlen (France) and Les Etoiles de Pau (France) as well as CCI4* events at Boekelo (Netherlands) and Hartpury (United Kingdom). If you're ever looking for Sharon out on the cross country field, you can be sure to see her sporting the color orange. Listen in! 

[EP 238] How to Find Humor in the Equestrian Space with The 3 Stride Podcast- Laura Fernandez, Julia Hanssen, and Molly Heroy

Introducing The 3 Stride podcast! A newer addition to our space where three equestrians share a little since of humor! Hosted by three adult amateurs who love horses and sharing their experiences is Laura Fernandez, VP- Head of Industry at top audio/tech company SiriusXM, Julia Hanssen, who works in advertising as Account Manager on one of the most iconic brands Ykone, and Molly Heroy, who runs a successful e-commerce + mobile tack store Tack of the Town. Just like all of us, they share one important thing in common: the passion for horses and the sport. Be sure to check out @the3stridepodcast and keep up with all of their personal accounts @julia_hanssen, @lauragailfernandez, and @mollheroy.

[EP 237] Wayne Grafton shares his Favorite Devon Horse Show Traditions

Wayne Grafton is the Chairman and CEO of arguably the most iconic horse show in the United States, the Devon Horse Show. The Devon Horse Show and County Fair is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in the country and this year will be held Thursday May 26th- Sunday June 5th after being canceled last year due to USEF restrictions on spectators. Internationally recognized as one of the premier equestrian events in the country, the Devon Horse Show draws top competitors from around the world and continues to reflect the traditions and lifestyles of the locals. Wayne has served as Chairman and CEO of both DHSCF, Inc and the Foundation for five years. Wayne is involved on a day to day basis for all aspects of operations, finance and facilities.

[EP 236] How Anne Kursinski Promotes the Jumper Sport through USHJA

In honor of Jumper 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 May we will be hosting both a professional and junior rider to discuss Jumper Month and the differences between each competition zone.

Anne Kursinski is a five-time Olympic athlete, and a two-time Olympic silver medalist in team jumping who has been a part of forty-seven nations cup teams and three World Equestrian Games representing the United States. Anne is passionate about the promotion of the sport, and serves as a USHJA Clinician, member of the USHJA and USET Executive Committees, and USEF Board of Directors. In 2017 she was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and has made her name known across the equestrian world. 

cover photo by: @noellefloyd