The Equestrian Podcast

[EP 394] Discovering the Secrets to Success with Mimi Gochman

Mimi Gochman is a young show jumper making waves at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Fresh off her incredible second place in the $215,000 Mars Equestrian Grand Prix, Mimi joins us to share the inside scoop on her journey from the arena to the winner's circle. Mimi's story is nothing short of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence as she learns to balance school with riding and drawing inspiration from the world's top riders. With a foundation rooted in equitation and a strong performance in the jumper ring, Mimi is redefining what it means to be a young powerhouse in the equestrian world. In this episode we dive deep into Mimi's riding philosophy, her secret to success, and the unforgettable moments that have shaped her into the rider she is today. Listen in! 

[EP 393] Future Stars Unleashed: Inside the World of Young Horse Development with Lauren Crooks-Brennan

Lauren Crooks-Brennan is an international show jumper and Head Rider & Trainer at Crooks Show Jumping, LLC. Lauren competes across the country advocating for young horse development at the top venues in the US, alongside her husband, James. With a career spanning her whole life, Lauren is dedicated to competing at the highest level and nurturing the next generation of equestrian talent. In this episode Lauren not only shares about her training methods, but also her talent for rider-horse matchmaking, as well as the essential balance between physical fitness and mental well-being for horses. Join us for a look at Lauren’s methods, how she overcomes the many setbacks of preparing young horses for long careers, and her strategies for long-term success. Listen in!

[EP 392] The Halfway Point at WEF with Grace Debney

Grace Debney joins the podcast once again (almost a year later since her first episode aired) to talk about her recent week at WEF 2024. Grace is a young, talented show jumper originally from England where she first started her riding career, and is quickly becoming one of the top young riders in the sport today. For her stand out season so far this year, Grace has already won the CSI2* Grand Prix. Some of her other notable wins include two five-star classes- the first one at WEF and the second at Traverse City Horse Show back in 2022, as well as 2nd place in the U25 Grand Prix at WEF in 2023. We're excited to see where her career continues. Listen in!

[EP 391] WEF 2024 Q&A with Bethany Lee

From Saturday Night Lights, to shopping vender row, Bethany Lee takes us through a day in the life at Wellington International for Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) 2024. This season has been a fun one, but it wouldn't be what it is without the camaraderie of the equestrian community within WEF's state-of-the-art facility. Listen in as Bethany answers some listener submitted questions about the Showgrounds, shopping spots, and everything in between.

[EP 390] How to Purchase Horses Overseas with Jorge Valiente

Jorge Valiente is the founder of Equitrials, a pioneering company specializing in test-riding horses on behalf of clients interested in purchasing horses overseas. With over ten years of experience in the sales department as a horse agent, scout, and trials rider for some of Europe's best stables, Jorge brings a wealth of expertise to his services. Equitrials provides clients with unbiased evaluations of horses through recorded trials, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the purchasing process. Jorge's commitment to client satisfaction is evident, boasting a 100% rate of happy clients and having tried over 100 horses across 10 countries. Beyond test-riding services, Jorge has expanded his offerings to include training programs for horses purchased overseas, ensuring they arrive in the US ready for their new owners. Listen in!

[EP 389] Dedication to Equine Careers and Horse Racing with Kaitlin Christopherson

Kaitlin Christopherson is the CEO at Grand Slam Social, soon to be renamed to GSS The Agency, a social digital media consulting agency working with clients to build comprehensive and actionable social media plans. Kaitlin is also a co-host for Amplify Horse Racing podcast and has much knowledge for the horse racing industry. Back in 2014, Kaitlin joined WinStar Farm to spearhead marketing efforts and execute social media campaigns for the farm and its world-class stallions.  Since then, she has worked for Executive Jet Management before eventually coming back to horses and becoming Head of Operations at GSS. Listen as we discuss careers, her horse, Charles, and more! 

[EP 388] Exploring Multiple Disciplines with Emily and Sarah of Sisters Horsing Around

Sisters Horsing Around was founded by sisters Emily and Sarah in 2018 as a movement aiming to bring diversity, understanding, and shared love for horses to equestrians and non-equestrians alike. As first-generation horsewomen, the sisters recognized a gap between those within the horse world and those outside of it. Their mission is to bridge that gap by sharing their experiences, wisdom, and the sheer joy of being part of the vast equestrian community. Listen in as we dive into their journey from making beginner mistakes to becoming multi-discipline riders, trainers, judges, and advocates for unity in the equestrian world.

[EP 387] A Push for Para-Showjumping with Laura Goodall

Laura Goodall is a UK-based showjumper who was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2015. Laura faced a daunting crossroads that threatened her passion for competitive riding and was initially sidelined by symptoms that disrupted her vision, muscle strength, and balance, but she refused to let MS dictate her future. Laura navigated the challenges of MS with innovation and adaptability, devising unique strategies to manage symptoms while making a return to the show jumping arena. Her comeback marked by impressive wins and achievements competing both against para-riders and able-bodied competitors, is a testament to her unwavering spirit. Listen in!

[EP 386] Pivoting for Success in the Dressage World with Micha Knol

Micha Knol is a USDF Gold Medalist and a multifaceted personality in the equestrian world. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Micah's passion for horses ignited at a young age, leading him through an illustrious journey encompassing show jumping, a corporate stint in banking, and ultimately a full-time commitment to dressage. With a background competing internationally in show jumping and transitioning seamlessly into the world of dressage, Micha's career is a testament to adaptability and pursuing one's true calling. Micah is now located in Wellington, where he's flourished as a trainer, competitor, and entrepreneur, co-founding MRK Dressage—a thriving venture specializing in sourcing and selling high-quality dressage horses. Listen in!

[EP 385] How to Take Opportunities Out of Your Comfort Zone with Cosby Green

Cosby Green is an eventer with an intrinsic passion for horses who traces her fascination back to early childhood. Raised on the eventing-centric Champagne Run in Lexington, Kentucky, Cosby's exposure to events like the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event fueled her love for the sport. As student at the University of Kentucky and a pivotal member of the UK Eventing Team, Cosby excels both academically and in the eventing world, showcasing her dedication to education and sport. Her achievements include individual accolades like an NAYC bronze medal in 2019 with Takine de la Barbais and being the CCI3*L National Young Rider Reserve Champion in 2021. She has also been named to the USEF U25 Emerging Athlete List for 2022, 2023, and 2024. After transitioning to the UK and basing herself with Tim and Jonelle Price at Chedington Equestrian Centre, Cosby has marked a significant milestone in her career, culminating in a top 20 finish in her first 5* at Pau, riding Copper Beach, fondly known as "Sean." Cosby's continuous progression, including her recent advancements to the CCI4*S level with horses like Copper Beach and Highly Suspicious, underscores her readiness for higher levels of competition and her pursuit of excellence in the sport. Listen in!