Meet Ami & Kendall Bennett — a dynamic mother-daughter team who share not just their halter horses, but the road trips, early mornings, late nights, and the heart and hustle that come with this sport.

From Ami’s first halter horse to their current string of champions, their story is one of family teamwork, passion, and balance. You’ll hear how they choose horses with the perfect temperament for kids, the special backstory behind their world show yearling, and how even their riding horse with “quirks” has a place in the show lineup.

* How they got started in halter horses

Meet Aynslee Gavey: founder of The Arena Admin, a virtual assistant service tailored specifically for horse business owners and western entrepreneurs.

Learn more about:

🔹 How her passion for horses + business mindset led to The Arena Admin

This week, we sit down with Kathy Smallwood of Kathy Smallwood Quarter Horses — a renowned breeder and trainer whose halter babies shine in the pen and leave a lasting legacy.

Hear how Kathy’s passion began at a very young age, how she evolved her program through decades of dedication, and how she’s preparing the next generation of champions for the fall futurities. We talk daily prep, confidence-building in young horses, breeding insights, and what it really takes to peak at the right time.

Whether you're raising your first foal or fine-tuning your show calendar, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

This week we’re shifting from the show pen to the camera lens to explore the artistry behind great equine photography. Whether it’s an ad, horse and rider sessions, horse show candids or those amazing black background shots, guest Brittany Callahan of Brittany Callahan Photography plays a huge role in how our horses are seen and remembered.

Tune in as Brittany shares:

*Her journey from the show pen to the photography world

Find her on Facebook here!

What if you could connect your tail extension in seconds or use the same tail extension for more than one horse?  This week we’re joined by RJ Tail Designs, the creators of a revolutionary quick connect tail system for show horses. 

This little detail makes a big difference in the show pen.  They created a system that saves time and protects your horse's real tail on those long show days while still accomplishing the full and beautiful tail we’re looking for in the pen.  We look at how it works and why it’s a game-changer for trainers and amateur exhibitors.

What happens when passion turns into profession? On this week’s Fit for Halter Podcast, we’re joined by two rising stars in the halter world who just made a major move—turning in their amateur cards to step into the ring as professional trainers. Leighton Wetzel of WC Show Horses and Logan Lorenz of Lorenz Quarter Horses share their journey and give us a glimpse of the next generation of leaders in the halter industry.

We’re talking about what pushed them to take the leap, what life as a new trainer really looks like, and the lessons they’ve learned on the business side of the barn.

💥 Bonus: Dalton Collins joins the conversation and asks the questions other amateurs are wondering too.

Have you ever wished you could search, filter, and compare breeding stallions based on what your mare really needs—from height and bloodlines to color genetics and more? This week, we're talking to the brilliant mind who made that possible.

Meet Natashya Vince, the founder of Stallion Compare—a powerful, data-driven platform created out of her own curiosity and passion. With a background in web design and a love for horses, she built the ultimate tool for mare owners to make informed breeding decisions.

From detailed genetic panels and four-generation pedigrees to robust filtering by breed, location, and discipline—Stallion Compare is changing the way we select stallions. Natashya shares her journey, her vision, and how this platform levels the playing field for ALL stallions, not just the famous ones.

www.stallioncompare.com

If you’ve ever struggled to find a pair of jeans that truly fits and functions when you’re riding, you’re going to love this episode. We sat down with Whitney Lloyd, founder of MarkWest Denim, to talk about the jeans she couldn’t find — so she made them herself.

After years in the saddle and just as many years frustrated with the options on the market, Whitney set out to design the perfect pair of riding jeans for women. No fashion background — just horse sense, grit, and an eye for detail. The result? Eight rounds of saddle-tested prototypes and performance features made with real cowgirls in mind. 

From a hidden, secure phone pocket to the flattering fit that still works after a full day of showing, Whitney is solving the problems no one else was.

www.markwestdenim.com

From show pen to stitch line, we’re talking all things custom cowboy hats with the talented Heather Werkema Smith of Initial Impressions by HWS!

Heather joins us to share how her lifelong love of horses, shaped by her amazing family, led her on a winding journey through the show world—and ultimately into the art of designing one-of-a-kind cowboy hats. What started as a side hustle has become a thriving business built on bold creativity, precise craftsmanship, and a passion for helping people express themselves through custom hats.

Hear how Initial Impressions by HWS helped fund her family's showing dreams, how she blends tradition with trend, and what truly makes a cowboy hat yours. This episode is packed with information for Western fashion lovers, horse show families, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of turning their side hustle into something beautiful.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Ashley Koeller of MJK Quarter Horses—a trusted name in horse transportation from coast to coast. Ashley shares how she and her husband Mike built a business and team of drivers rooted in care, communication, and commitment to the horses in their trailer.

We dive into what it takes to earn trust in the hauling world, logistics, gear, and emergency prep, stories from the road and life on the move, and tips for prepping your horse for a smooth haul.