It’s been a minute, but we’re back! After a short break this summer we’re here with a jam-packed episode and full of excitement after watching the 2026 World Championships in Aachen. We’re also talking about respiratory issues in horses and sharing our favorite hacks for the horse trailer in hot weather. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 149:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Drink Recipe: Swimming Pool Cocktail
• Featured Image: Courtesy MM Photography
• Link: Do color perceptions affect jumping performance?
• Link: USEF issues new guidance for high heat, poor air quality during horse shows
• Link: Aachen recap
• Link: More girth fitting tips
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: Ecogold, HITS Horse Shows, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

It’s the end of an era: we’re mourning the death of our favorite riding goods catalog. But there’s good news too: new research in EHV-1 detection could help minimize horse show outbreaks. We’re also talking about how to maximize your rides in hot hot summer and discussing solutions to our sport’s ever evolving affordability crisis. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 148:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Drink Recipe: Limoncello Cocktail
• Featured Image: Heels Down
• Link: Dover Saddlery going out of business
• Link: Horse welfare through perception of sport in photos study
• Link: EHV-1 airborne testing coming to horse shows?
• Product Review: Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control by Farnam | Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: Farnam and Ecogold, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

It’s like Christmas in … April for anyone who loves the sport of three-day eventing. We’re gearing up for the Best Weekend All Year with a heartwarming story about three Kentucky eventing veterans that will make you smile. Also this month, we’re putting some of the best tech for equestrians to the test. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 147:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Drink Recipe: Classic Brown Derby Cocktail
• Guest: Doug Payne
• Guest: Courtney Carson
• Featured Image: Heels Down
• Links: CCI4*-S Entries & Ride Times | CCI5* Entries & Ride Times
• Link: Amateur Overcoming Heartbreak to Make His Five-Star Debut
• Link: Alex Conrad With a Special OTTB
• Link: What’s Coming Out of Split Rock - Who Is Doug Bringing? Other Riders You Anticipate Coming This Year? Any Changes to the Format, Etc.
• Tech Worth the Investment - Doug's Recommendations: farm camera list | trailer system | insta360 and drone | polo clip | jump day clip
• Justine's Tech Recommendation: Garmin Blaze Wellness System
• Product Review: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: Farnam and Ecogold, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

What happens when some serious horse people get together to try to better the sport? We’re about to find out. On this episode, we’re talking about what’s next for the Thoroughbred aftercare industry and do weight-loss drugs exist for horses? Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 146:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Drink Recipe: Negroni Blanco
• Guest: Daniel Geitner, Grand Prix Show jumper and owner DFG Stables in Aiken & Ocala with his wife, Cathy
• Guest: Kirsten Green, Retired Racehorse Project
• Featured Image: Heels Down
• Link: Germany wins at Longines at WEC
• Link: Tamie Smith wins three divisions at Carolina
• Link: GLP-1s for horses?
• Product Review: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: HITS, Ecogold, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Ever wanted to go to Florida for the winter but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. This month, we’re talking about what Justine learned from attending an equine dissection and… haven’t you always wanted to try combined driving? One of the world’s leading athletes tells us all about it. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 145:

1. Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
2. Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
3. Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
4. Drink Recipe: Bloody Maria
5. Guest: Doug Payne
6. Guest: Chester Weber
7. Guest: Gabby Hale, Victory Equine Services
8. Featured Image: Erin Gilmore Photography
9. Link: Mimi Gochman Clinches World Cup Final Spot With Ocala Win
10. Link: USEF Drops Talent Search Finals Horse Swap To Reflect Direction Of Modern Jumping
11. Link: National Horse Show Plans Move To Tryon
12. Product Review: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
13. Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
14. Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
15. This episode is presented by: Live Oak International, HITS, Ecogold, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Happy 2026 y’all, the Year of the Fire Horse. We promise we lunged it before we all got on. This month, we’re kicking off the year with some of our favorite horse shows and settling in for the tougher topics of horse ownership. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 144:

1. Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
2. Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
3. Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
4. Featured Image: Erin Gilmore Photography
5. Drink Recipe: Dirty Coconut Coke Mocktail for Dry January
6. Guest: Laura Reiman, MS, NPCP-CPT, is the owner of The Pilates Powerhaus in Alexandria, Virginia, and author of ‘Pilates for Horses’. Follow for more tips on Instagram at @Pilatesforhorses or online at Pilates4horses.com
7. Guest: Chloe Reid, Live Oak International
8. Link: Is It Kissing Spine, Or Are You Just a Bad Rider?
9. Link: Updates out of Wellington
10. Link: Boyd Martin named international equestrian of the year but USEF, Greya is Horse of the Year
11. Link: EHV Update
12. Product Review: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
13. Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
14. Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
15. This episode is presented by: Zoetis, Horse Spot, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

It’s our last episode of the year and wow, what a year it’s been. Thanks for everybody for listening. And we’ve got a great show for you tonight, with fun guests who will make you laugh, hopefully teach you something, and inspire you to keep kicking on into 2026. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 143:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Featured Image: Courtesy of Heels Down
• Drink Recipe: The Classic Eggnog
• Guest: Dr. Holly Helbig
• Guest: Sydney Stevenson aka Bookipsies (Find her on Instagram: @bookipsies_)
• Product Review: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: Zoetis, Horse Spot, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

It’s here! All the goodies on our holiday wish list for 2025. This month, we’re also talking to the founder of a brand new jumping and dressage circuit that wants to be the opposite of USEF. And ever wonder what goes into breed inspections for stallions and foals? You’re about to find out. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 142:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Featured Image: Courtesy of Heels Down
• Drink Recipe: Werther’s Hot Toddy
• Link: JJ Torano squeaks out the win in the Maclay Final
• Link: Mud, Moisture, and Scratches: Fall Skin Challenges You Shouldn’t Ignore
• Link: HDHH is in the Washington Post!
• Guest: Doug Payne of Payne Equestrian
• Guest: David Reichert of UDJC
• Product Review: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: Ecogold (Introducing The Vertical, the latest innovative saddle pad from Ecogold) and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Spooky season is here! This month, we’re talking about horse health tips you don’t want to skip on during fall, and preparing for the most festive time of the year.

Guests and Links Episode 141:

1. Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
2. Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
3. Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
4. Featured Image: Courtesy of Zoetis
5. Drink Recipe: Pumpkin Spice White Russians
6. Link: Laura Kraut first female to break the top 10 rankings in years
7. Link: One rail keeps Coleman from the win, but Boyd is a class act at Morven Park US Equestrian Open Final
8. Link: The internet just won’t let horse girl fashion go
9. Link: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
10. Product Review: "Buy Less Dewormer Campaign" by Zoetis
11. Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
12. Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
13. This episode is presented by: Zoetis and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

1. Do not use Quest Gel or Quest Plus Gel in foals less than 6 months of age or in sick, debilitated and underweight horses. Do not use these products in other animal species, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result. Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasitism.

Do you ever feel like you love horses but sometimes you feel lost? Or like you’re not good enough? We’ve all been there. This month, we’re talking about how to get yourself in the right headspace on those tough days. Plus, we have the best horse show hacks to share. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 140:

• Host: Justine Griffin, Award Winning Journalist with Down Magazine
• Host: Jessica Payne, International Event Rider for Payne Equestrian
• Host: Ellie Woznica Owner/Trainer of Double Barrel Creek
• Featured Image: Courtesy of Farah Butt
• Drink Recipe: Apple Cider Spritz
• Link: The benefits of standing “square”
• Link: Kent Farrington is unbeatable in the world cup qualifier in Traverse City
• Link: USEF Releases Guidelines To Outline Equine Welfare Best Practices
• Link: USEF Approves First General Blood Rule
• Link: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Product Review: Amend GI All-Natural Stomach Health Support
• Subscribe: The Brief | Heels Down Spark | Donate | Our Patreon
• Join our Facebook Group: Search for “Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Lounge“
• This episode is presented by: HorseSpot and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!