The horse world doesn't always agree on everything, but it can agree on this: The cost of competing is becoming prohibitively high. In fact, the cost of most things related to horses seem to be creeping up every time we turn around.

How did showing get so expensive? Are enthusiastic riders getting priced out of being able to compete even just a few times a year? What is the sport's leadership's view on this and what's driving the bottom line at show venues?

To discuss, Caroline Culbertson is joined by USEF CEO Bill Moroney, CEO of West Palms Event Management Dale Harvey, and a Texas based adult amateur named Meg Walsh. As you can imagine, it's not a straightforward issue with straightforward answers, but the four try to untangle the strings in this discussion.

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Taylor flury is doing something not that many professionals in the US are doing -- she isn't just breeding show jumping horses for top sport, she's breaking them and bringing them along herself. At only 34, Taylor has taken numerous young horses previously not started undersaddle and developed them into competitive FEI Grand Prix Jumpers.

But Taylor still faces the frustrations, doubts, and questions that many of us face when developing young horses. She thrives on the process, but she's not immune to the moments of, 'Should I send this horse to someone else?' or 'Will this ever get better?' that many of us face. The difference is that Taylor has honed this skills and mindset to bust through those moments and make it to the other side. She's sharing that with us today, as well as how her frightening diagnosis of a brain disease as a young rider turned into a blessing fork-in-the-road moment for her career as a horsewoman today.

This episode is also sponsored by #WeRideTogether. Their Out of Bounds video series has gone viral, viewed over 10 million times in just a few weeks. Check it out here.

Most riders think their horses are fit enough for the job they're asked to do. But according to equine fitness expert Jec Ballou, only 30 percent of sport horses actually are.

In this episode, we dig into the reasons behind that surprising number and aim to give you a more sophistocated understanding of what 'fitness' means for your horse. We discuss how horses really gain strength, the one area of fitness most riders don't know much about, and how to build a weekly program that creates real, lasting athleticism. If you care about your horse's longevity, soundness, and performance, this one's essential listening.

Caroline interviews USEF Chief of Sport David O'Connor about the newly introduced 'Know the Signs' guidelines aimed at promoting horse welfare in equestrian sports in the US. They discuss the purpose of these guidelines, the emotional dynamics in competition, the role of officials, and the evolving nature of regulations, particularly regarding the use of whips.

To view the guidelines, go to https://www.usef.org/horse-welfare/protecting-horses

This episode is proudly sponsored by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order at checkout.

Perfectionism and an outcome-focused mindset is not only a pretty lousy mindset for performance, but it also makes us miserable. And - relying on results and outcomes when you're in a sport with a 1200 lb animal who can die suddenly of a stomach ache, or essentially drain your savings account if he steps funny in the field, is just not very low risk. but But luckily, we're going to go through some strategies to combat perfectionism and reclaim some joy with today's guest.

Dr Darby Bonomi is a sport and performance psychologist who works with riders, entrepreneurs and other business professionals to elevate their game. She work with all disciplines of riders, but mainly hunter/jumper, dressage, and three day eventers, & has been a practicing psychologist for over 30 years. She went to UC Berkeley and then the California School of Professional Psychology. She shows in the amateur owner hunters and has 3 horses. Learn more at www.darbybonomi.com

This podcast is supported by #WeRideTogether. Keep sport safe for everyone - go to www.weridetogether.today for more info and resources.

Trigger Warning: Topics of sexual abuse

Join Caroline for a short chat with Carrie Kehring, founder of #WeRideTogether, about the special project highlighting the experience of victims of sexual abuse.

Go to www.weridetogether.today to watch the PSAs & roundtable discussions.

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services.

I recorded this conversation a couple of months ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. It's a story of perseverance, of reinvention, and of the quiet power of hope — the kind of story that might just be what you need to hear right now. Because you never know what's waiting for you around the corner.

My guest today is someone many of you will already know by voice: Catie Staszak. You've likely heard her on FEI TV, CBS Sports Network, ESPNEWS, or ESPNU. She's a leading multimedia journalist in the equestrian world and a talented show jumper herself, having made her FEI Grand Prix debut earlier this year.

In this episode, Catie opens up in a way we rarely get to hear. She shares the financial strain she's faced in trying to pursue a career in this sport, her battle with an eating disorder, and becoming a caretaker for her father after his Parkinson's diagnosis — all while continuing to chase a dream that often felt just out of reach.

We talk about the trainer who once broke her confidence as a young rider, and the Olympic rider who later offered her a moment of belief that changed everything.

Catie's story is raw, honest, and incredibly human. Through all the challenges, she's held on to something that's too often in short supply in this sport: hope. Hope that even when time, money, or opportunity is limited, the dream is still worth chasing.

This episode is proudly presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

We're living in a horse world that often rushes. Young horses are expected to mature fast, to progress on human timelines, and to succeed by a certain age—or else we worry they've "missed their chance" or they wont be sellable. But today, I'm joined by someone who makes an excellent case for slowing down - wayyy down. For the horse's physical longevity, but for their mental wellbeing.

Today, we're joined by Zac Salmeron—trainer, horseman, and someone who's quietly but profoundly changing the way we think about young horse development. His work reminds us that the best progress often comes when we stop trying to prove something, and start meeting horses where they actually are.

He's also going to introduce you to a new idea - the idea that giving a horse years off in their youth might just be the best foundation you can give them—and he's got proof: horses that are in their 20s and look as robust as a 6 year old, still competing, still joyful in their work.

Zac believes training should be simple. Clear. Kind. Sometimes, it's 10 minutes of work. Nothing more, nothing less—just one thing at a time, until the horse understands. Because when a horse understands, they don't just obey—they offer. They show up fully. They give 200%, and they even ask questions back. That's not compliance. That's partnership.

If you've ever felt pressure to hurry up—whether in your riding or your life—this episode is your permission slip to slow down and do it right.

This episode is supported by #WeRideTogether.today, an organization working tirelessly to end sexual abuse in sport.

In the first interview of this kind, US Equestrian's COO and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, is speaking to the frustrations shared by USEF membership regarding the perceived lack of action and enforcement on horse abuse in sport in the United States.

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline's piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a number of measures they have taken, and some that they plan to take, to address horse abuse in sport.

It's clear from Sonja that USEF does acknowledge there's a lot of room for improvement - but in order to know where we're going, we have to take stock of what's not working right now. I think this conversation provided some clarity on the current systems and conversations happening at USEF and the broader horse community around how we're not preventing and responding to horse abuse well enough.

To reach out to USEF, please use the email address [email protected]. Your feedback is encouraged.

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline's piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a number of measures they have taken, and some that they plan to take, to address horse abuse in sport.

The response to these 2 articles was massive. On social media alone, they garnered hundreds and hundreds of comments, shares, and the general consensus that the memebrshsip is frustrated with the level of abuse happening to sport horses, and both the lack of action as well as the timeliness of USEF on the matter.

I reached out to both the author of the opinion piece - Caroline Howe - and US Equestrian. They both agreed to speak with me to unpack these issues a bit more in a raw, lightly edited for clarity and flow, conversational format. That's what you're about to hear.

First up, Caroline Howe.

Caroline Howe is an amateur hunter/jumper rider who has competed in equestrian sport for over half her life as both an owner and a rider. In 2021, after learning of the dire welfare outcomes many horses face post industry involvement, Caroline founded North Carolina-based Horse Welfare Collective, a 501c3 nonprofit that researches horse industry practices and their impacts on horse welfare. Her work ranges from researching and raising awareness about horse slaughter marketing channels, to consulting across various disciplines and industries to study how we can help competing and noncompeting horses avoid negative welfare outcomes during all phases of their lives.

You can contact Caroline Howe via her website - horsewelfarecollective.org