In this episode of When Nicole Met, supported by Bedmax, Nicole Brown sits down with Swiss Olympian Felix Vogg. From his family’s Olympic heritage to becoming Switzerland’s first five-star winner in over 70 years, Felix shares the pivotal moments of his career, the horses that shaped him, and his ambitions for Burghley and the European Championships.

Episode Highlights

• Family influence: growing up in a household with Olympic history
• A career reset — choosing quality over quantity in his yard
• Producing long-lasting, happy horses as the true measure of success
• Championship milestones and his historic Luhmühlen 5* victory
• Training and producing difficult horses — and what they’ve taught him
• Looking ahead: plans with Cartania, Colero, and the big goals for 2025

Guest Info

• Felix Vogg — Swiss equestrian, three-time Olympic rider, and five-star winner

This episode of When Nicole Met is kindly supported by Bedmax — purpose-made, natural horse bedding designed to protect respiratory health, support hooves, and provide a clean, comfortable stable environment.

In this episode, Nicole Brown is joined first by Matthew Taylor, Director of Racing at Perth Racecourse, to talk about the build-up to the very first Scone Palace International Horse Trials. From pulling the event together in just 10 months to preparing seven cross-country tracks, Matt shares behind-the-scenes insight into course building, ground management, and what it means for Scottish eventing.

Then Spike the Vet steps in to join Nicole for a full preview of the feature classes — the CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S. They run through the EquiRatings Prediction Centre favourites, the ones to watch, and a few dark horses, with plenty of stats, form analysis, and rider backstories to set the scene for the weekend.

Episode Highlights:

• Matthew Taylor on merging racecourse and eventing expertise for year one at Scone
• How the team is tackling ground prep after a dry summer
• CCI4*-L contenders — from joint favourites Wills Oakden & Keep It Cooley to Daisy Berkeley’s Blenheim runner-up
• CCI4*-S favourites — why Laura Collett & London 52 could be tough to beat
• International challengers, dark horses, and form pointers for both classes
• What’s on across the weekend: grassroots championships, showing, show jumping, mounted games, and more

Guest Info:

• Matthew Taylor — Director of Racing, Perth Racecourse
• Spike Milligan — Equine Vet & regular EquiRatings Podcast contributor

Host:

• Nicole Brown

For tickets and event info: www.sconehorsetrials.com

 

Nicole Brown and Sam Watson dive straight into the newly announced Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025 entry list — and the stories behind the names. With the course running in reverse for the first time since 2017 and an elite field taking shape, they discuss the contenders, the challenges, and the drama that could unfold.

Episode Highlights:

• The reversed Burghley track and how it could make time even tougher.
• Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo’s huge Prediction Centre win chance — and the Badminton/Burghley double on the line.
• Vitali’s brilliance, Tim Price’s resilience, and the quest for a Burghley win.
• Colorado Blue’s stamina strengths and Ireland’s hopes.
• Harry Meade’s triple challenge and quest for a first 5* victory.
• Exciting returning and debuting combinations to watch.

Guests:

• Nicole Brown – Host of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast.
• Sam Watson – International event rider, analyst, and EquiRatings co-founder.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

In this Inside Burghley bonus episode, Nicole Brown visits the venue just three weeks before Defender Burghley Horse Trials kicks off for 2025. Event Director Martyn Johnson and Course Designer Derek di Grazia share exclusive insights on final preparations, from reversing the track direction for the first time since 2017 to reimagining iconic features like the Trout Hatchery.

Episode Highlights

• Three Weeks to Go: Why this is crunch time for the Burghley team.
• A New Direction: How reversing the course changes the challenges for riders.
• Design Secrets: The small details — from tree placement to car positioning — that shape the way fences ride.
• Heritage Meets Innovation: Keeping legendary features like Lionbridge, the Leaf Pit, and Defender Valley fresh while showcasing sponsors.
• Fence to Watch: The revamped Trout Hatchery at the seven-minute mark.
• Ground Game: How the team is delivering top-class going despite a dry summer.

Guests

• Martyn Johnson – Event Director, Defender Burghley Horse Trials
• Derek di Grazia – International Course Designer, Burghley Burghley Horse Trials

Host

• Nicole Brown

Check out the Burghley website here.

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We’re nearing the first-ever Scone Palace International Horse Trials — and Scotland’s own Wills Oakden is here to take us behind the scenes. Nicole Brown chats with Wills about what this brand-new event means for Scottish eventing, the work going into preparing the venue, and his own plans for competing on home turf. From fresh challenges to home advantage, it’s a mix of insight, humour, and excitement for one of the most talked-about additions to the 2025 calendar.

Episode Highlights:

• The end of an era for Blair and why Scone is stepping into the spotlight
• Terrain, setting, and spectator appeal — what makes Scone unique
• Wills’ perspective on the cross-country course and preparations
• His horse line-up for the weekend
• How he handles pressure at home events
• Why Scone’s first year is just the start of something big

Guest: Wills Oakden

Host: Nicole Brown

Scone Palace International Horse Trials is running from the 21st to the 24th of August. Check out tickets here. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s Dublin Horse Show week, and things have gone totally rogue at EquiRatings HQ. In this surprise crossover episode, Nicole Brown is joined by a very special crew — jumping podcast host Charlotte Smet, eventing’s newest content wizard Ali Barrett, and the trustry senior analyst Georgia Patrick — for an unauthorised Alphabetti Spaghetti.

What started as a quiet moment while Diarm was in a meeting quickly spiralled into full-blown podcasting chaos, live from a glass-walled booth in the middle of Dublin.

This is Alphabetti Spaghetti  — jumping meets eventing, first dates are discussed, anger and rage are confessed, and the team may (or may not) be in trouble with Diarmuid Byrne.

In this episode of Through the Owners’ Eyes, Johnny Hornby shares the journey behind Barrington Sport Horses — from his early riding days to becoming one of the most dynamic owners and breeders in British eventing. With 38 horses, major ambitions for riders like Izzy Taylor, and a creative, lighthearted approach to sponsorship through Hawkstone Lager, Johnny offers a refreshing look at ownership done differently.

Episode Highlights

• From Pebworth Vale to 38 horses: how Johnny reignited a lifelong love of horses
• Why Barrington focuses on elite mares and sires — and the real cost of breeding
• Supporting Izzy Taylor’s bid for the top, including LA 2028 dreams
• Backing the next generation: from his own daughters to young stars like Jago
• The origin of Hawkstone Lager — and what happens when you win your body weight in beer
• Big-picture thoughts on prize money, the future of sponsorship, and why we must protect iconic venues

Guest: Johnny Hornby

• Founder of Barrington Sport Horses
• Leading figure in advertising and entrepreneurship
• Owner, breeder, and sponsor championing the future of eventing

Host: Nicole Brown

This episode is powered by EquiRatings Horse Sales — the data-driven way to find your next superstar. From performance metrics to potential and price, EquiRatings helps take the guesswork out of buying and selling horses. Find out more here.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:

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In this episode of The Grassroots Show on the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast, Sam Watson returns to the mic to join Nicole Brown for a brilliantly practical and mindset-focused deep dive into four of the most common mistakes riders make across all three phases of eventing.

From the traps of trying too hard to misunderstanding the true role of rider responsibility, Sam shares hard-earned wisdom, hilarious analogies, and honest advice you can apply at any level. Whether you're trotting down the centreline or tackling a big cross-country track, this one is packed with insight.

Episode Highlights:

• Why "trying harder" isn’t the answer: Success often comes from calm, consistent, simple habits — not more effort in the saddle.
• Dressage: Focus on the process, not the shape: The "one-handed riding rule", the myth of being on the bit, and the trap of chasing outcomes.
• Show Jumping: Control what you can: You can’t control your eye for a stride — but you can control speed, rhythm, softness, and the setup.
• Cross Country: Stay in your lane: Riders have four jobs: straightness, speed, softness, and staying on. The rest is up to the horse.
• Loose jumping, roast dinners, and emotional chaos: Sam makes it relatable with real-life parallels — including why preparing a Sunday roast has a lot in common with a successful eventing round.

Guest Info:

• Sam Watson: Irish international event rider, EquiRatings co-founder, and long-time 'friend' of the podcast.

Presented by Foran Equine, part of the Connolly’s RED MILLS family. Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2025 season on Instagram and Facebook.

In this Red Mills Feed Room Classic, Spike is back in the Feed Room with Louise Jones, a nutritionist at Connolly's RED MILLS, to talk through what you should and shouldn't have in your feed room, along with some key hygiene tips to help you prevent a positive drug test.   Guests: Louise Jones: In 1999, Louise qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Equine Science, during which she specialised in breeding science and went on to graduate with an MSc in Equine Science in 2000. She is also one of only a handful of registered equine nutritionists in the UK. She has an extensive understanding of stud, clinical and performance horse nutrition, and has worked with trainers and breeders in the UK, Continental Europe, and the Middle East.    Sponsors: Connolly's Red Mills are offering 15% off Foran Equine products to Eventing Podcast listeners! Use the code EquiRatingsPodcast15 to receive your discount. View the full collection here.   If you have any other questions regarding feeding click here to ask the Connolly's RED MILLS experts.

In this special episode of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of Scone Palace International Horse Trials—Scotland’s brand new international event stepping in to replace Blair Castle. Host Nicole Brown is joined by course designer Alec Lochore, who shares insight into the event’s dramatic setting, the challenges of launching a new international, and what riders and fans can expect from this exciting new fixture.

In This Episode:

• Why Scone is not Blair 2.0, and what makes it a unique venue
• How the Perth Racecourse infrastructure is transforming event planning and stabling
• What the cross-country tracks will look like—and how the River Tay becomes part of the picture
• How show jumping, Highland ponies, and even ceilidhs are part of the broader festival feel
• Alec’s reflections on being named course designer for LA 2028 and what that means to him personally

Guests:

• Alex Lochore
• Nicole Brown

Scone Palace International Horse Trials is running from the 21st to the 24th of August. Check out tickets here. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.