Equestrian Adult Amateur – Details, episodes & analysis

Or maybe more specifically… why does nobody outside of our world care about the top athletes in our sport?In every major sport, there are household names.Golf has Tiger Woods.Gymnastics has Simone Biles.Swimming has Michael Phelps.These athletes became bigger than their sports because media, storytelling, sponsorship, and marketing dollars were invested into making people care.So why hasn’t that happened in equestrian?In this episode, I talk openly about why I personally believe the horse world struggles to grow outside its own bubble — and why even riders *within* the sport often don’t feel connected to the top-performing athletes. We discuss the lack of mainstream media coverage, the absence of long-form storytelling surrounding riders and horses, and how little financial support exists for creating meaningful media around the sport.Because the reality is:People care about stories before they care about results.And if nobody is investing in showcasing the personalities, struggles, journeys, and humanity behind these athletes… how can we expect new audiences to connect with them?This conversation also dives into why projects like **Inside The Ingate** became so important to me personally, and why I believe storytelling is one of the only ways equestrian sport can truly grow beyond its current audience.This episode is opinionated, honest, and probably a little uncomfortable — but I think it’s a conversation our industry desperately needs to have.🤍 Media & storytelling in equestrian sport🎥 Why audience connection matters🐴 The future of equestrian media📈 Why the sport struggles to grow outside its bubble

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, Alexis and I are sitting down for a real life update — and it’s one of those conversations that feels a little messy, a little emotional, and very real.We talk about what’s been going on behind the scenes, especially with my young horse, Oli. After being in training while I was recovering from a broken leg, he’s come back struggling with anxiety and spookiness in a way I didn’t expect. It’s been frustrating, overwhelming, and honestly has pushed me to question what the right next step is — including the possibility of selling him.We also get into the ups and downs of training in general — from regressions in new environments to working through things like lead changes, confidence, and consistency. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes the setbacks hit harder than expected.Outside of the barn, life has been just as full — from navigating big personal decisions, to the stress of everyday responsibilities, to trying to balance it all while still showing up for our horses.This episode is a little bit of everything:The emotional side of owning and training young horsesDealing with setbacks and uncertaintyThe pressure we put on ourselves as adult amateursAnd the reality of trying to hold it all together when things feel a little chaoticIt’s not polished. It’s not perfect. But it’s honest — and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

In today’s episode, I’m catching you up on a very full couple of weeks — from local horse shows to scary moments, derby fun, and prepping for GHJA Finals with Ollie and Sunny. I talk about my love for local shows and our most recent derby event, plus how I use forage-based diets to keep my horses feeling their best.

If you’ve been here awhile, you already know how much I swear by Standlee — their Timothy pellets and compressed bales have been total game-changers, especially for picky eaters. We even did a photo shoot with them recently, which was so much fun! Before the show, I had a pretty frightening moment while hacking Ollie — he tripped hard and almost fell, and it took the wind out of both of us. Because of his past EPM struggles, anything like that sends my anxiety through the roof.

The next day, Sunny and I showed… and let’s just say I briefly forgot how to ride 😅 But we pulled it together and ended up placing 4th in the hack. Both boys made me proud, as always. I also talk a bit about vulnerability, communicating openly in this sport, and how important it is to share the real moments — the wins, the fear, the frustration, and everything in between. If you’re an adult amateur juggling life, overbooking yourself (hi, it’s me 🙋🏼‍♀️), and still doing your best with your horses every day, you are absolutely not alone.

Let me know your thoughts on Standlee, how your show season went, and what goals you're setting for next year. I love hearing from this community, and I’m so grateful we get to do this together. 🫶 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — and share your own horse show stories with me!

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Standlee 

In this episode, we’re recording right from the horse show grounds—Hannah isn’t with us today—so it’s Alexis and her horse stepping into a flat class together. Alexis opens up about the nerves that come with putting a horse in the ring for good, confidence-building experiences, even when you’re not totally sure what’s going to happen.

We talk about how differently we ride now compared to when we were juniors: more grace for ourselves, less pressure to be perfect, and a deeper focus on creating positive moments for our horses. We dive into the unique pressure that comes with riding seasoned horses, the expectations adult amateurs carry, and how much support from the community means in this sport.

Alexis also shares the real-life balancing act of being a mom and a rider—and how learning to ask for help has become part of her growth both inside and outside the arena. This episode is a celebration of the real equestrian life—the nerves, the joy, the community, the parenting juggle, and the constant balancing act of chasing your passion while caring for the horses you love. It’s a reminder that we’re all doing our best, and none of us are doing it alone.

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In this episode, we chat with a Product Marketing Manager from Garmin about their groundbreaking new wearable for horses — the Garmin BLAZE Smart Heart Rate & Health Monitor. They share the behind-the-scenes story of how this revolutionary product came to life — from testing on horses across different disciplines to uncovering new insights about equine health and fitness.

The BLAZE tracks your horse’s heart rate, temperature, activity levels, and recovery, helping riders make data-driven decisions about training and wellbeing. We also get a sneak peek at Garmin’s next innovation, the Garmin™ Wearable GPS, which takes equine health monitoring even further with features like sleep tracking, fitness metrics, and recovery data.

If you’re passionate about horses, tech, or performance tracking — this episode is a must-listen!

👉 Check out their amazing product!
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1277934/

Xoxo,
Kelly

In this episode, Alexis and I dive into a topic that so many riders can relate to — dealing with toxic trainers in the equestrian world. We’ve all either experienced it ourselves or watched someone else go through it, and it’s time to have an open, honest conversation about it.

We share our personal experiences and unpack what really makes a trainer “toxic,” from emotional manipulation to poor communication and blurred boundaries. We also talk about the responsibility that both trainers and clients share in keeping relationships professional and healthy — and why setting boundaries, being honest, and communicating clearly matter so much in this sport.

We even touch on whether horse trainers should be regulated, how to find the right fit for you, and how to protect your mental health and peace in a sometimes chaotic industry. At the end of the day, we both believe that training should be something you enjoy — not something that causes stress — and, as we like to say, communication is lubrication.

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In this special one-year anniversary episode, we celebrate a full year of being on air and building an incredible equestrian community! Joining us for this milestone conversation is Kali Crosby, a gifted animal communicator who helps her clients connect with their animals on a deeper level to uncover what they truly need.

Kali shares how she discovered her unique ability to speak with animals, the process she uses to tune into their emotions, and how her work has transformed relationships between horses, pets, and their people. From solving behavioral challenges to helping owners better understand their animals’ emotional and physical needs, Kali’s insights are both fascinating and heartwarming.

We reflect on the journey this podcast has taken over the past year—every story, laugh, and connection that’s brought our community closer together. It’s a celebration of growth, purpose, and the magic that happens when passion meets authenticity.

We love you guys and happy 1 year together! 

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In this episode, I sit down with Brad DiMaggio from Scrapyard Media to talk all things filmmaking, pre-production, and the chaos of shooting in the performance boating world. Brad and I first met while working for a mutual client — and let’s just say, things got a little wild when we got kicked out of a boat race mid-filming!

From there, we dive into what makes great content actually work: planning, teamwork, and the power of good pre-production. We also chat about our shared experiences filming the Devon Horse Show, dealing with unpredictable weather, troubleshooting on the fly, and why great audio can make or break a story.

Brad shares how Scrapyard Media started, their goals for the future, and what it’s like balancing creative vision with real-world logistics. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to pull off a big production—or just want some behind-the-scenes laughs from the field—you’ll love this one.

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, I sit down with Courtney, who opens up about the emotional journey with her mare, Frida.

When Courtney first brought Frida home, she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something wasn’t right, even though the mare had passed a pre-purchase exam. Over time, that intuition proved true.

Frida was later diagnosed with multiple neck injuries, including internal stenosis and a fractured bone. Courtney shares the long and difficult road of seeking answers, advocating for her horse, and ultimately making the decision to pursue multiple surgeries to help Frida breathe and live comfortably again.

This conversation is raw, honest, and filled with hope, a reminder that sometimes, listening to your gut can make all the difference!

Hosting a live episode of The Plaidcast during the Inside the Ingate Season Finale Watch Party was such a special moment for me. There’s something about being surrounded by my local horse people community — sharing stories, laughter, and memories — that reminds me why I love doing this! For this episode, I had the chance to talk with Cheryl Simms, the Horse Show Manager at Wills Park Equestrian Center, and Piper Klemm, Publisher of The Plaid Horse. Wills Park has been a vital part of the Atlanta horse community for decades, and hearing Cheryl share its history and her vision for its future was truly inspiring. We discussed how the park has evolved, the renovations and fundraising efforts that sustain it, and Cheryl’s mission to ensure it remains affordable, welcoming, and community-driven. Piper brought great insight into why it’s so important to preserve spaces like this — places where riders can grow, connect, and feel at home in the sport. For me, this conversation really highlighted the heart behind what we do. Wills Park isn’t just a showgrounds — it’s a reflection of how much love and dedication go into keeping equestrian life alive at every level.