Equestrian Adult Amateur

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, we’re having a conversation that isn’t always comfortable — but it’s necessary.

We talk openly about the pressure to be perfect in today’s equestrian world and how that pressure has evolved over the years. The horses are more athletic, more powerful, and the expectations — from judges, trainers, owners, and even social media — are higher than ever. Somewhere along the way, fl...

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, I’m joined by Maxi Witrak — a comedian, actor, and lifelong horse girl whose story perfectly blends humor, heart, and honesty.

Maxi grew up riding horses in Seattle before moving to Los Angeles, where she built a career in comedy and acting. We talk about how her mom first introduced her to the horse world, the many disciplines she explored growing up — from Arabians and Morg...

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, I’m taking a step back to reflect on a year that stretched me in ways I didn’t expect — personally, professionally, and within the horse world. 2025 was hard. I struggled, I questioned myself, and I watched so many other adult amateurs go through similar seasons. I even managed to break my ankle in a ball pit while playing with my nephew — a reminder that life doesn’t always ...

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 bale...

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 ourselv...

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, a...

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. ...

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 thei...

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 ...

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 fr...

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...

In this heartfelt episode, Alexis opens up about the challenges of being a new mom while also balancing life as an adult amateur rider and equestrian enthusiast. She shares the guilt she often feels for not being able to spend as much time with her horses as she once did and reflects on how motherhood has shifted her priorities and daily rhythms.

Alexis also discusses the difficulty of finding joy outside of being a mom, reminding ...

In this episode, Alexis and I finally got to catch up after being apart for a bit! We started with some updates, including hair, a new Garmin watch, and the fact that Alexis has been getting very little sleep, before diving into what’s new in our horse lives. Alexis opened up about how challenging it’s been to ride regularly since becoming a mom, and what it felt like to ride her friend’s very well-trained horse. She shared how fun...

In this episode, I reflect on the incredible experience of premiering Season 2 of Inside the Ingate at the Devon Horse Show. From seeing the show on the big screen to watching riders and viewers react, it was a moment full of pride, nerves, and excitement. I dive into the mission behind the series—showcasing the behind-the-scenes world of equestrian sports, giving riders and participants the chance to tell their own stories, and ex...

This week on The Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, we’re at the Wills Park Benefit Show and sitting down with some incredible guests who are shaping the equestrian community in unique ways!

• Brooke Bryant (Dillard’s) talks about why Dillard’s sponsors events like this one and shares the hottest trends for fall.

• Kelly from Harbin Agency breaks down the importance of equine insurance, how it protects both horse and rider, and ...

This week has been a whirlwind! Episode 3 of Inside the Ingate premiered at the Will’s Park Benefit Show, and I’m so grateful for the incredible support this community has shown. In this episode, you’ll also see Nick and Matthew in the International Derby at the Devon Horse Show; their rides reminded me of the importance of patience, partnership, and listening to our horses.

I also open up about my own training journey with my hors...

In this episode, I sit down with Haleigh Holom, a mental performance coach who helps riders push past mental and physical barriers so they can reach their goals. We talk about some of the biggest challenges adult amateurs face—things I’ve struggled with myself—like comparison, performance anxiety, and fear in the saddle.

I open up about my own journey with comparison, especially the frustration I used to feel when I couldn’t afford...

In this episode of The Equestrian Adult Amateur, I sit down with Piper Klemm, the powerhouse behind *The Plaid Horse Magazine*, to dive deep into her journey through equestrian journalism and what continues to inspire her work in the horse world. Piper shares what it’s been like navigating the industry as a young woman, building credibility, and staying authentic in a space that’s often slow to change. She also opens up about being...

This week on the Equestrian Adult Amateur podcast, I sit down with three of the biggest names in the hunter ring: Nick Haness, Traci Brooks, and Carleton Brooks.

Together, we talk about what it takes to build a winning program — from horse selection and team dynamics to mentorship, mental preparation, and behind-the-scenes organization.

Nick opens up about what allows him to focus fully in the show ring, trusting that everything be...