The Equestrian Podcast

[EP 398] The Advantages of Competing In Different Rings with Charlotte Jacobs

Charlotte Jacobs is a professional show jumper with deep roots in riding. She joins us today to share her journey since our last podcast conversation in 2022. Charlotte comes from a family steeped in equestrian tradition, and her path in the sport has been influenced by her upbringing and her family's support. As an integral part of North Star Sport Horses, Charlotte expresses her passion for producing young show jumpers and the fulfillment it brings to her career. Additionally, Charlotte emphasizes the significance of the rider-horse relationship in show jumping, highlighting her role in her horses' development, and the importance of establishing strong bonds. Listen in!

[EP 397] How Mark Bluman Measures Success Through the Support of His Family Business

Mark Bluman is an accomplished rider with a lifelong passion for the sport. From taking his first riding lesson at the age of 3 to becoming the World Children’s Jumper Champion and Colombian National Champion, Mark's journey in horse riding has been nothing short of remarkable. With extensive international experience competing in Nations Cup competitions and FEI-rated classes, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the table. Join us as we explore Mark's career highlights, his role within the family-owned Bluman Equestrian, and the tools and strategies he employs to achieve success in the highly competitive world of show jumping.

[EP 396] Learning How to Enjoy the Setbacks with Ansgar Holtgers Jr.

Ansgar Holtgers Jr. is a young show jumper originally from Germany, who recently clinched his first international Grand Prix victory at the $140,000 KASK CSI3* during Week 6 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Today he joins the podcast coming from a unique story with his horse, Chanyon; a partnership that has evolved to achieve remarkable success. In this episode Ansgar shares about how he first entered the equestrian industry, what fueled his passion for riding from an early age, and the mental preparation he employed to tackle challenging courses while navigating high-pressure situations in the show ring. Listen in! 

[EP 395] Post-Show Recovery and Care with Darragh Kenny

Darragh Kenny is an Irish equestrian sensation who has consistently ranked among the world's top riders in show jumping. He joins the podcast for the third time since we've started with a history of growing up around horses, showing talent from an early age and competing in his first Grand Prix at just 14 years old. Darragh's journey to success led him to the Dublin Horse Show, and got the opportunity with trainers like Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run Stables in Vermont. In 2012, Darragh founded Oakland Stables, a venture that allowed him to both ride and train clients, marking a significant milestone in his career. Darragh's expertise extends beyond the arena, as he shares valuable insights into, training philosophies, and the mindset required for success in the highly competitive world of show jumping. Listen in!

[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!