Horse Show Bestie

This week we’re catching up on life updates and welcoming Scott back to the podcast before diving headfirst into designing the ultimate adult horse camp. We talk about transitioning horses, the social side of horse shows, and why horse people are all secretly craving more community, connection, and camaraderie in the industry.

From choosing venues and clinicians to balancing educational sessions with fun, low-pressure activities, we’re basically building our dream horse girl summer camp in real time. Expect conversations about team-building, non-horsey activities, late-night hangs, and what it takes to create an experience that feels equal parts educational, social, and genuinely fun.

If you’ve ever wished horse showing felt a little less isolating and a little more collaborative, this episode is for you.

Support our sponsors!

NAC Equine: www.nac-equine-services.com

Kirstie Marie Jones of Kirstie Marie Photography joins us for a conversation that goes way beyond just taking pretty horse photos. From practical photography tips to building a business in multiple disciplines, this episode is packed with insight for horse girls, photographers, and anyone trying to carve out a lane in the industry.

We talk about the little things that make a huge difference in photos, like preparing your horse before a shoot, paying attention to light sources, and yes, even cleaning your camera lens. Kirstie also breaks down concepts like the rule of thirds in a way that actually makes sense and explains how thoughtful details can completely change the outcome of an image.

The conversation also dives into the evolution of KMP Learn and how education became such a major part of her business. Kirstie shares her background riding across different disciplines, the challenges that come with marketing yourself to multiple audiences, and why versatility has become one of her biggest strengths both behind the camera and in the saddle.

This episode is really about keeping a wide perspective in the horse industry. Learning from different trainers, stepping outside one discipline, and being intentional about growth can open more doors than most people realize.

Links!

NAC Equine: nac-equine-services.com

KMP learn: kmplearn.com

Crysta Brown Horsemanship: CBhorsemanship.com

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a training program, this episode is for you. Crysta sits down with Brian Henry to tackle some of the biggest trainer vs amateur debates from the trainer’s perspective.

They get honest about client expectations, horse show disappointment, communication issues, green horses and riders, maintenance, show spending, and the emotional realities of horse ownership. Brian also shares what life actually looks like as a professional trainer, and why so many problems in the horse world start with expectations that were never properly discussed.

It’s funny, practical, slightly uncomfortable at times, and very much one of those “horse people will understand” conversations.

Support us by supporting our sponsor!

NAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/

Okay bestie… this one’s a little different.

For the first time ever, it’s just Crysta. No co-host, no back-and-forth. And it's just a hair all over the place. But sometimes we have to show up for our bestie when he gets busy at work!

This episode is part life update, part info dump on all of Crysta’s current hyper-fixations… and all of it is very on brand.

She gets into the real side of building a career in the horse industry right now, including:

• Why some business models work and others don’t
• Her favorite training lessons
• Rider biomechanics and the small habits that are quietly affecting your results
• Why adaptability matters if you want to stay in the game

There’s a clear thread through all of it: growth. Sometimes we have to rethink things, take responsibility, and adjust even when it’s inconvenient.

It feels like a late-night, post-show conversation. Honest, a little unfiltered, and grounded in real experience.

Things might look a little different this week, and that’s the point. Besties show up in every season.

We’ll be back together soon. For now, you’ve got Crysta.

Support Horse Show Bestie by supporting our sponsor:

NAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/

Links from episode discussion:

Crysta Brown Horsemanship: www.CBhorsemanship.com

Centered Riding by Sally Swift: https://www.amazon.com/shop/crystadbrown/list/CVP9BIZ51OBF?ref_=aipsflist

Your Horse Show Besties are back in your ear, catching you up like you missed a few group chats.

Scott’s on the mend and ready to get back into the saddle, so we get into what that actually looks like... the weird in-between phase, the mental side of coming back, and how much patience it really takes.

We also went down a few rabbit holes you’ll probably have opinions on. Things like not picking fights you can't win, what’s actually fair when it comes to day fees at shows, and the ongoing amateur vs. pro conversation that never seems to go away.

There’s a lot in here about speaking with authority when you're new to the sport. That rolls right into a bigger conversation about how we treat each other in the industry, both in person and online.

We also talk through the less polished stuff. Rumors about horse abuse without evidence, what to do when you do see real abuse. Plus some real-life chat about handling young horses, and how to balance young horse's classes as a way to support breeders vs allowing individual horses to be who they are.

Crysta and Scott may be officially Negative Nancie's and totally deserving of cancellation but either way you know you want to watch the downfall.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, support the people who support it.

Check out NAC Equine Services for help with buying or selling your next horse:
https://www.nac-equine-services.com/

If you’ve ever walked out of the pen like “that felt SO good” and then looked at your score like 🤨 …this one’s for you.

We sat down with Don Beard (aka a real judge) and got into what’s actually happening on the other side of the clipboard.

We’re talking:

• what the scores mean
• why “pretty” doesn’t always mean effective
• what judges are actually rewarding vs what riders think they’re rewarding
• and yes… why that run you loved maybe didn’t mark like you expected

We also get into the bigger picture stuff:
how patterns are selected, how ranch + pleasure horses have evolved, and what it actually takes to make it in this industry without losing your standards (or your mind).

It’s honest, theres no shortage of hot takes, and very much a “listen before your next horse show” situation.

Alright bestie, this episode is one of those “wait… why are we not doing this already?” conversations 👀

We sat down with David Reichert, the founder of UDJC, and got into some real talk about what’s actually broken in the American horse show industry… and more importantly, what we can do about it.

If you’ve felt like showing has gotten too expensive, too exclusive, or just straight up disconnected from what riders actually need to grow… you’re gonna feel very seen in this one.

Also… quick warning 😅

David is a little spicy. He does not sugarcoat, and he’s definitely not trying to win a popularity contest.

But honestly? That’s kind of the point.

His blunt, say-it-like-it-is approach is exactly why he’s able to call out the real problems in the industry without dancing around them. And more importantly, it’s why he’s actually doing something about it instead of just talking in circles.

So if you like your conversations honest, a little bold, and actually productive… you’re gonna appreciate this one.

David breaks down how UDJC is flipping the script on traditional horse showing by focusing on affordability, accessibility, and actual community (not just saying the word “community” and doing nothing with it 🙃).

We get into:

• Why the current system is pricing people out
• How judging has gotten way too complicated (and honestly… not that helpful)
• What the European club model is doing right
• And how we can rebuild the sport from the ground up instead of waiting for the top to fix it

It’s practical, a little spicy, and very much a “let’s rethink everything” kind of episode.

This isn’t just a “cool ideas” episode. There are real ways to take action:

• Go volunteer or support a local show or club
• Start asking for better judging feedback (and normalize it)
• Support and promote smaller, community-based events
• Stop waiting for the industry to change and start contributing to it

🔗 Resources + Guest Links

• UDJC: https://udjc.org
• NAC Equine Services: https://nac-equine-services.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/nacequineservices

If you’ve been feeling frustrated with the industry lately, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale… and also a bit of a kick in the pants in the best way.

Because the takeaway is pretty simple:
no one is coming to fix this for us… but we can fix it ourselves.

In this episode, Scott Cooper and Crysta Brown share their insights on horse training, trail riding, and the importance of confidence and trust in horsemanship. They discuss practical tips, personal experiences, and the mental aspects of developing a strong rider-horse relationship. Scott Cooper shares his journey of recovery, community involvement, and the importance of honesty and diversity in the horse industry. Crysta Brown explores how to stay connected without a horse, the value of community, and strategies for engaging younger generations.

Bestie… the duo is BACK.
Crysta and Scott are finally back on the mic together.

They get into what has been going on lately, from changes in the industry to the reality of making decisions for your horse when it actually matters. Not in a heavy way, just real talk about the stuff you are probably already thinking about but maybe not saying out loud.

There is also some Sun Circuit talk, a little people watching energy, and a reminder that the horse show world is just as much about who you are around as what class you are in.

Overall it feels like a catch up with people who get it. Go listen, then text your bestie because you will definitely have something to say 👀🐎

Bestie, today’s episode is a little different and kind of wild. Scott starts off by sharing the story of a ski accident he had recently that left him with some pretty serious injuries and a long road to recovery. He talks through what happened, what the recovery process has looked like so far, and how moments like that really make you think about the risks we take in both skiing and riding.

From there, the conversation shifts into something a lot of horse people can relate to… injuries and the comeback that follows. Scott brings on guest Jessi Lueth who has gone through her own injury and recovery journey, and they talk about the mental side of getting back on your feet, leaning on the people around you, and finding the grit to keep going. It’s a really honest conversation about resilience, setbacks, and the kind of support that makes a comeback possible. 💛