The Equestrian Podcast

[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

[EP 235] Celebrating Jumper Month alongside USHJA with Junior Rider Hailey Royce

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, including an Instagram Takeover hosted by yours truly, Bethany Lee. We will be talking with both a junior and professional rider to answer listener questions, and sharing a prize giveaway you won’t want to miss. Tune in over Instagram on May 20th at 6pm Eastern Time over at @ushunterjumper to join us! Follow along on social media using #WeAreUSHunterJumper

Hailey Royce began her riding career in dressage, and at the age of nine quickly transferred over to the jumper ring. Hailey won her first Grand Prix in partnership with her horse, Sonic Boom, and the two have been succeeding ever since. Riding for North Run stables, Hailey joins the podcast to talk about her junior career competition moments, including her team winning gold at the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships.

[EP 234] How Cait Luca gives Rescue Horses a Second Chance and What We Need to Know

Cait Luca known as @cowgirl.cait, is the founder of horse rescue service 501(c)(3) Lucky Break Rescue and Corral West Horse Adventures. With her classy tagline “Save a Horse, Ride a Rescue” Cait's mission for Corral West Horse Adventures is to rescue at-risk, slaughterhouse pipeline, auction, kill pen, and owner surrender horses by giving them a new life under proper care and training. The entire herd at Corral West is made up entirely of rescued horses that are now used to take out-of-town visitors on trail rides to catch a glimpse of all the west coast has to offer. In this episode we share the value of female entrepreneurship, responsible breeding, the realities of horse rescue, and what we can do to better help these horses.

[EP 233] Lisa Hellmer Shares her Passion for Para-Dressage Development

Lisa Hellmer is a USDF Bronze and Silver medal trainer and Silver USEF Para Dressage coach who provides quality, personalized dressage training for all types of horses using a cross training approach. Based in Ocala Florida, Lisa runs LCH Equestrian with her sister out of their new family stable, Sunflower Hill Farm, where she is currently in the process of developing her own Grand Prix horse. Lisa was recently appointed the USEF Para Dressage Development Coach where she is continuing to help riders accomplish their riding goals. Listen in!

[EP 232] What Makes a Good Driving Team with Chester Weber

Chester Weber is the most decorated driver in the United States. His numerous accolades have yielded prestigious recognition throughout the world. Raised in Ocala, Florida, Chester started driving competitively at a young age, under mentor Jimmy Fairclough. In 2008, Chester made history by becoming the first American to win an Individual Silver Medal in the Four-in-Hand FEI World Driving Championships. He won Royal Windsor (GB) CAI3* two consecutive years, receiving personal congratulations from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Chester is a 18-time U.S. Equestrian Federation Four-in-Hand National Champion, and regularly ranks in the top 3 for FEI world rankings. He has won 4 silver medals at World Equestrian Games, and a historic team gold in 2018 at the WEG in Tryon. Listen in!