The Equestrian Podcast

[EP 344] How Emily Wendt Manages Anxiety Around Riding

Emily Wendt spent her childhood riding, quickly moving from weekly lessons to riding and showing multiple horses a day. After a break from riding going into college, Emily found herself dying to get back in the saddle. Not long after her return, Emily discovered that new anxiety around riding was keeping her from doing the thing she loved. Set out to find a solution, Emily created Rider’s Relief - a company dedicated to providing relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, & stress to equestrians as well as their cats & dogs through the use of high potency Nano CBD products. Listen in!

[EP 343] Starting New Disciplines and Finding the Right Career for Your Horse with Madelyn Houser

Maddie Houser is a United States Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver Medalist with many years of dressage experience under her belt. Maddie remains passionate about the sport to this day and is known on Instagram as “The Blonde and the Bay” where she showcases her life with horses. She began her blog as a way to share photos and updates of her riding career, and since its start in 2015 has continued to share the successes, struggles, and everything in between. In 2021, Maddie and her husband acquired a 2012 model AQHA gelding affectionally known as "Ryder" who has become her western pleasure "reject" turned upcoming dressage superstar. Listen in!

[EP 342] Focusing on the Longevity of Grooming with Courtney Carson

Courtney Carson began her equestrian career in eventing and eventually become the head groom and barn manager for Payne Equestrian in North Carolina, home of Olympic eventer Doug Payne. Courtney has been head groom at several five-star competitions, Nations Cups, the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and the Tokyo Olympics back in 2021. Though it was a successful position, Courtney left Payne Equestrian last year to pursue an even higher equestrian calling. Courtney became a founding board member of the International Grooms Association (IGA) in 2021, and now serves as the U.S. coordinator for the organization. Listen in!

[EP 341] How Kelly Giordano Prioritizes the Dream Behind Avenue Equestrian and Building Her Business

Kelly Giordano is the CEO of Avenue Equestrian, Executive Director for the Equestrian Podcast, and a certified Horse Girl! When she's not riding, Kelly enjoys working with new businesses at Avenue Equestrian as an Equestrian Business Consultant & Strategist. Kelly has many years of experience under her belt working in corporate positions, starting her own business, and helping other business grow to their full potential. After taking a break from the equestrian world in college, Kelly returned to horses at full spend and enjoys riding her own horse, Crosby. Listen in!

[EP 340] Never Giving Up in the Wake of Loss with Paige Jardin

Paige Jardine is a 29-year-old Showjumper operating out of Guardian Stables with her boyfriend Nicky Galligan. Originally from Australia, Paige has been living abroad in the US for the last 10 years. She’s had a challenging last year, losing her beloved mare Chaccara Blue, but is more committed than ever to pursue the highest levels of this sport. Listen in!

[EP 339] The Importance of Correct Saddle Fitting with Amanda Anderson

Amanda Anderson is a trained saddle fitter with over 20 years of experience helping horses and riders better understand saddle fit and its impact to performance. With over 4,800 hours of instruction from a German Master Saddler, Amanda focuses on how anatomy and biomechanics influence saddle fit. Using “science and common sense” Amanda is passionate about helping riders understand how their saddle works and resolving common problems that are impacting our horses. Listen in!

[EP 338] Philip Richter Shares the High Points of Lake Placid Horse Show

Philip Richter serves as Treasurer of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show, and is on the board of directors for the Hampton Classic Horse Show, the United States Equestrian Federation and more. Additionally, Philip is the president and co-founder of New York-based Hollow Brook Wealth Management, LLC, a leading independent wealth management firm that manages and advises capital on behalf of families, foundations, endowments, pension plans, and individuals. In his spare time Philip is an amateur equestrian show jumper and has successfully campaigned his horses on the “A” circuit for over three decades. Listen in!

[EP 337] Changing the Role of Hunter Judging with U.S. Equestrian Federation R-rated Judge Sissy Wickes

You may recognize her from the judges stand or perhaps from her articles in the Plaid Horse Magazine- Sissy Wickes is a Princeton University (New Jersey) graduate, a lifelong rider and trainer, a U.S. Equestrian Federation R-rated judge, a freelance journalist, and an autism advocate. Her resume includes extensive show hunter and jumper experience and she has served on the USHJA board of directors and the USEF National Breeds and Disciplines Council. Sissy currently lives with her family in Unionville, Pennsylvania, and Wellington, Florida. Listen in!

[EP 336] An Introduction to Positive Reinforcement with Shawna Karrasch

Shawna Karrasch is a pioneer in the use of Positive Reinforcement Training with horses. Her powerful and humane behavioral training techniques are an eye-opening experience for equine professionals, competitors, and amateurs alike. She has produced books and videos, and traveled worldwide to teach the concepts of bridge conditioning and positive reinforcement for horses. Shawna began her training career far outside the equestrian world, and when she was introduced to top equestrian competition, Shawna saw immediately how reward-based training could be used to engage the horse’s willingness in equestrian pursuits. Shawna has worked with many equestrians, most notably, John + Beezie Madden, and helped Beezie’s horse to overcome his fear of water. Listen in!

[EP 335] How Changing Your Mindset Becomes the Greatest Benefit to Strength and Conditioning with Coach Tony Sandoval

Tony Sandoval (aka Coach Sando) is a D1 Strength and Conditioning Coach who got his start in the equestrian space after he worked with a severely injured rider to bring her back to competition. Soon after her progress, Coach Sando decided working solely with equestrians was his passion. Being a rider himself, Coach Sando knows how to help riders feel connected to their horses and sharp in the ring by understanding how to increase their physical and mental skills. Coach Sando loves watching his students ride and compete in order to help them achieve their goals, and his team is passionate about using their experience to help riders become more athletic, ride with less pain, and feel more confident about their abilities. Listen in!