Heels Down Happy Hour

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!

We’re doing our best to stay caffeinated thanks to a fun new horse brand of coffee. Also this month, we’re talking about our mental prep for the sport, and how do we make the buying and selling process of horses more transparent and accessible for everyone? Thanks for tuning in. 

Guests and Links Episode 139:

• 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 David Power and Monarch Creative
• Drink Recipe: Affogato
• Guest: Adam Enger, Founder of Show Jumping World
• Guest: David Power, Show Jumping Coach
• Link: It was an exciting finish in Arville between Germany and Team USA
• Link: Victoria Colvin shatters records after winning at Derby Finals for the fourth time
• Link: Heels Down Holiday Gift Guide | Email Justine at [email protected]
• Product Review: Happy Horse Coffee
• 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 and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Did anyone else watch Mai Baum make his final run at Rebecca Farm and ball their eyes out? Just me? OK. This week, we’re talking about the hunters taking over Europe and sharing out best tips on how to keep thise arenas dragged, pristine and perfect for our horses. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 138:

• 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 Yanmar Tractors America
• Drink Recipe: Hugo Spritz | Full Recipe
• Link: Mai Baum officially retires from top level eventing
• Link: The science behind the new USEF hair testing rule
• Link: The Baran Classic is such a cool concept, inviting top American hunter pros to Europe and European show jumpers trying their hand at the North American sport of hunters
• Product Review: Benefab Therapeutic Pastern Wraps | Benefab Smart Therapeutic Poll Pad
• 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: Yanmar, Belt It Out Goods (Coupon code: “heelsdown20” for $20 off), and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Ellie is fresh off a trip from New Mexico where she learned more about the world of positive reinforcement training about horses. We dive right in to learn more. And we caught up for the Kentucky 3-Day Event 4* winner ahead of his overseas trip to CHIO Aachen. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 137:

• 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
• Guest: Will Coleman
• Featured Image: Courtesy of Ellie Woznica
• Drink Recipe: Sante Fe Sunset
• Link: The FEI is doubling down on double bridles
• Link: Study: Bias Against Thoroughbreds In Upper Level Eventing Is Unfounded
• Link: Wild pony born without a hoof gets a prosthetic
• Product Review: Favorite fly remedies for summer time? | Kinetic Vet roll-on fly spray + dema cloths
• 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: Yanmar, Belt It Out Goods (Coupon code: “heelsdown20” for $20 off), Horse Spot, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

It’s Spring! And we have the latest fashion trends for your riding outfits (hint: there’s no florals). This week, we’re talking about how the Payne’s designed and built their dream barn, and a special friend of the show stops by. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 136:

• 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
• Guests: Michael and Lindsay Lenard of The Horse Spot
• Guest: Sally Spickard of the Go Eventing Podcast
• Featured Image: Courtesy of Payne Equestrian
• Drink Recipe: Michigan Mule
• Link: Three U.S. Riders, Three Different Paths To World No. 1
• Link: Aachen entry list
• Product Review: Belt It Out Goods - New Spring Colors | Lilac, Spring Green, Willow Blue, Poppy Pink
• 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: Yanmar, Belt It Out Goods (Coupon code: “heelsdown20” dor $20 off through May), SynNutra Equine (SynChill PURE), Traverse City Horse Shows, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

The countdown is on my friends. It’s going to be an action-packed Best Weekend All Year in 2025, thanks to very big five-stars: the Kentucky Three Day Event and the Kentucky Invitational. We’re talking to the riders hoping to conquer some of the biggest eventing and show jumping tracks in America this month. Thanks for tuning in. 

Guests and Links Episode 135:

• 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
• Guest: Will Coleman
• Guest: Alex Granato
• Guest: Mary Bess Davis
• Featured Image: Traverse City Horse Shows
• Drink Recipe: Velvet and Vice from Cast & Crew
• Link: Kentucky 5* entry list 
• Link: Kentucky Invitational 5* entry list 
• Link: Favorite things to do in Lexington
• Product Review: SynChill Pure
• 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: SynNutra (Livello® Sleep), Traverse City Horse Shows, The Vertical from Ecogold (Coupon code: “happyhour” 15% off through April 25) and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

What makes some ingredients illegal when it comes to supplements and medications and horse showing? This week, we’re talking to a veterinarian on what goes into that process. Spring is here, which means you’re likely inundated with mud, like the rest of us. But don’t fret, we’ve got some tips. Thanks for tuning in...

Guests and Links Episode 134:

• 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
• Guest: Dr. Edwin “Ted” Simpson, Founder and CEO of SynNutra Equine
• Guest: Charlotte Jacobs, show jumper
• Featured Image: Traverse City Horse Shows
• Drink Recipe: St. Patrick's Mint Martini (Thanks to Marlene in our Facebook group and Total Wine)
• Link: An update on the new FEI noseband testing protocol
• Link: Game on: USA wins big in the Longines League of Nations Ocala
• Link: Spring is mud season. Here are some tips to manage it
• Product Review: Ecogold + Armatec collab | Coupon code: “happyhour” 15% off through April 25
• 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: Traverse City Horse Shows and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Dreaming of the spring horse show season? Us too. This week, we’re sharing our favorite DIY tips to make training tools you can easily use in your home arena. Thanks for tuning in. 

Guests and Links Episode 133:

• 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
• Guest: Derek Braun, Split Rock Horse Shows
• Guest: Danielle Burgess, Founder of Instagrooms
• Featured Image: Traverse City Horse Shows
• Drink Recipe: Le French
• Link: Pony conformation class drama
• Link: Laura Kraut in the show jumping hall of fame
• Product Review: DIY Training Tools for Your Arena
• 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: Traverse City Horse Shows and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

It’s January, and horse sport is in full swing. Whether or not you’re in sunny Florida or just dreaming about it, we’ve got all the updates. As as you gear up for your own riding season, we’ve got somebody who can help visualize your goals. Thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 132:

• 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
• Guest: Dr. Sam Fielding
• Featured Image: Heels Down Magazine
• Drink Recipe: Lychee Mai Tai
• Link: Nosebands Now Option in Danish Dressage
• Link: Updates from WEF: Richard Vogel, Henrick von Eckermann, Nayel Nassar among the first CSI3* wins of the season so far | Down the road at Adequan Global Dressage Festival, American Olympian Adrienne Lyle is off to a good start
• Link: How to help equestrians affected by the LA wildfires
• Product Review: Thia Cal from Finish Line Horse Products 
• 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, All Things Equestrian, Belt It Out Goods, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!

Wow, what a year it’s been. This week we’re breaking down the highs and lows and getting excited for what’s in store in 2025. Sit down, grab a drink and join us. And as always, thanks for tuning in.

Guests and Links Episode 131:

• 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: Heels Down Magazine
• Drink Recipe: Naughty But Nice Christmas Cocktail
• 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: All Things Equestrian, Belt It Out Goods, and listeners like you! Thank you to our sponsors!