In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 4* event rider Lucienne Bellissimo. Lucienne Bellissimo is an international CCI4* event rider, ranked 9th in the 2023 US Eventing Rankings and among the top 50 in the World FEI Eventing Athlete Rankings. Born in The New Forest, Hampshire, UK, she grew up riding and competing both racehorses and event horses. Her training has been influenced by top names, including Oliver Townend, Mark Todd CBE, and Erik Duvander. Alongside her riding career, Lucienne holds a BSc in chiropractic and founded the equestrian startup Horse Scout, later securing backing from Google Campus London and Black Box VC USA. Now based in Florida and South Carolina, she continues to compete at the highest levels while blending her passion for sport and technology. In this episode, Lucienne discusses topics related to the business side of eventing, including: • The sales-driven mindset she developed growing up. • Her journey to founding Horse Scout Eventing, a thriving training and sales business. • The internal struggle of keeping top horses to pursue her dreams versus selling them to sustain her business. • How the emphasis on dedication and training in eventing makes the sport more accessible. • Her strategies for maintaining both mental and physical health. Join Lucienne and Sinead in this exciting conversation on balancing equestrian success with business savvy.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international horse dealer Richard Sheane. Richard Sheane is a renowned horse dealer who runs Cooley Farm in Wicklow, Ireland, alongside his wife, Georgina Philips. Cooley Farm is a leading source of top-quality Irish sport horses, recognized globally under the “Cooley” name. Richard started his career working for international showjumpers Jack and Edward Doyle but always aspired to buy and sell horses himself. His expertise and dedication transformed Cooley Farm into a global leader, with several horses achieving 5* success. In 2018, Cooley Master Class became the first Cooley horse to win a 5*. The previous year at Blenheim 2017, Cooley Lands won the CIC3* eight- and nine-year-old class, and Cooley Cross Border won the CCI3*. In this episode, Richard discusses topics related to producing and selling young horses, including: • His approach to sourcing and producing the top young horses in Ireland. • The characteristics that make a good horseman and young horse trainer. • Where the name “Cooley” came from and what the name says about the standard of the horse. • What buyers should prioritize when looking for the right horse. Join Richard and Sinead in this exciting conversation about sourcing, producing, and selling quality young horses.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by horsemanship trainers Tik Maynard and Nick Rivera. Tik Maynard, the 2024 and 2025 Road to the Horse Champion, is partnered with fellow horsemanship trainer and Pen Wrangler Nick Rivera. Tik has been both Long-Listed and Short-Listed for the Canadian National Three-Day Event Team, won the Freestyle at the Thoroughbred Makeover in 2015 and 2018, and is the author of In The Middle Are The Horsemen. He teaches clinics nationwide and runs a training business at Copperline Farm with his wife, Sinead Halpin Maynard. Nick, a Wisconsin native and University of Wisconsin graduate, has been passionate about horses since childhood and turned professional after college. He co-created the nationwide product “Whinny Water” with Ryan Rose and now contributes to The Horseman’s University, where he hopes to inspire students through education, challenges, and shared adventures with his horse, Jasper. In this episode, Tik and Nick discuss topics related to natural horsemanship and The Road to the Horse, including: • What the Road to the Horse competition is and the important role a Pen Wrangler plays in the event. • How Tik and Nick prepared for the competition by prioritizing the process over the outcome. • The unexpected lessons they discovered along the way. • How natural horsemanship techniques can benefit sport horses by making them happier and better understood. Join Tik, Nick, and Sinead in this exciting conversation about their unforgettable Road to the Horse journey.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international event riders Arthur and Logan Duffort. Arthur and Logan Duffort are international event riders and trainers who run their business, Otis Eventing, from a farm in the Loire Valley, France. They began managing a yard together in 2012, shortly after getting married. Between them, they boast an impressive list of accomplishments. Arthur spent four years riding for Andrew Nicholson and has competed up to the 5* level, earning placings at Burghley and completing both Badminton and Pau. He was selected to represent France in the 7-year-old World Championships and has secured multiple wins and placings at national events, ranging from pre-novice to advanced levels. Logan spent two years riding for William Fox-Pitt, one year with Laura Collett, and also rode part-time for Mark Todd. She was selected to represent the USA in the 7-year-old World Championships and at the London Olympic Test Event. In this episode, Arthur and Logan discuss topics related to training and working as a team, including: • Their backgrounds in horses and the story of how they met. • Developing a training system that blends and enhances their individual styles. • Establishing a camp designed to teach young riders how to build a professional career in the industry. • Exploring the cultural differences between France and the US when it comes to horse training and sales. Join Arthur, Logan, and Sinead in this exciting conversation about bridging their backgrounds and creating a successful business.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 5* event rider Daniela Moguel. Daniela Moguel is a renowned rider, trainer, and coach, and the first to represent Mexico at the 5* level. Early in her career she rode at El Mirador in Mexico City under former eventer Aurelio Quinzaños and FEI dressage judge Maribel Quinzaños. From 2010 to 2011, she trained regularly with Brian Sabo, Mexico's coach for the 2010 Central American Games. Daniela then worked with Pan American silver medalist show jumper Luis Ximenes Fyve from 2012 to 2014. She also spent years training with Karen and David O’Connor, who helped her prepare for the Pan American Games, Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and the World Equestrian Games. Daniela is now embarking on a new chapter, moving to Cambodia to coach the national team and compete globally. In this episode, Daniela discusses topics related to her journey as a Latin American rider who has risen to the top of the sport, including: • The importance of self-belief and surrounding yourself with people who recognize your potential. • Seizing the opportunity to move to America, train with top professionals, and prove she can compete at the highest level. • The cultural contrasts between America and Mexico. • Her upcoming move to Cambodia to coach the national team. Join Daniela and Sinead in this exciting conversation about self-confidence and creating opportunities.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by equestrian journalist Sally Spickard. Sally Spickard is the Managing Editor at Eventing Nation and has contributed to several renowned publications within and beyond the equestrian world. Since joining the Eventing Nation team in 2013, Sally has built an extensive network in the industry. Her career has taken her to the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, and she has also served as the Press Officer for multiple FEI events in the United States. A Korean adoptee, Sally currently resides in San Diego, California. In this episode, Sally discusses topics related to the job of journalist in the equestrian community, including: • The importance of presenting both sides of a story and gathering information from multiple sources. • How she built a successful career combining her love for horses and journalism. • Exploring strategies to invite and engage a broader audience. • Managing the challenges of being both a reporter and an active member of the equestrian community. Join Sally and Sinead in this exciting conversation that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the life of an equestrian journalist.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by Olympic event rider Mike Winter. Mike Winter is a Canadian event rider who has represented his country in numerous international competitions, including the Olympic Games, Pan American Championships, and FEI World Championships. He competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and most recently in the 2024 Paris Olympics with his horse, El Mundo. In 2023, Mike and El Mundo were part of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the Santiago Pan American Games. Based in the heart of the Cotswolds, Mike runs Wayfarer Eventing alongside his wife and daughter, Emma and Amelia Winter. Together, they source, produce, and compete horses at the prestigious 5* level of eventing. In this episode, Mike discusses topics related to social licensing and horse welfare, including: • The responsibility of riders and trainers to advocate for ethical training methods. • Creating a sustainable sport by improving retirement processes and ensuring accountability in post-career management. • Comparing UK vs. US training cultures and how they approach balancing athleticism with trainability. • Restructuring Canada’s high-performance program to help ensure the sport evolves in the best interest of the horse. Join Mike and Sinead in this exciting conversation about the most pressing topics shaping the world of eventing.

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 5* event rider Jesse Campbell. Jesse Campbell is a highly accomplished international 5-star event rider. Born and raised in New Zealand, he moved to England to train under renowned eventer Andrew Nicholson. At just 21, he was selected for the New Zealand Eventing High Performance Squad, based in the UK. That same year, he secured his first European CCI 3-star championship title. At 22, Jesse established his own competition yard in the Downs of Marlborough. In 2013, he represented New Zealand at the Eventing Nations Cup Championship, achieving a top-ten result—one of the highest scores for the New Zealand team. Over the course of his career, he has claimed 21 major national and international eventing titles and sports awards. Jesse was married to fellow event rider Georgie Strang, who tragically passed away in 2024 following a riding accident. In this episode, Jesse discusses topics related to his career and life experiences, including: • How he handled losing his wife, Georgie Strand, and what helped him get through it. • The differences in horse training and management in New Zealand and the UK. • How sports psychology has helped him in his high-performance career. • Starting a foundation for his late wife that focuses on young rider grants and cross-country safety. Join Jesse and Sinead in this exciting conversation about finding strength in the horses.

On today's episode of "In Stride," Sinead talks to Boyd Martin about how he has setup his life to help fuel his competitive success.Boyd and Sinead discuss what it's like for Boyd to be named to another championship team for the World Eventing Championships in 2022. Boyd talks about growing up in New Zealand with two Olympic athletes as parents. His mom was a speed skater, and his father was a cross-country ski racer. Boyd had an untraditional upbringing in the sense that sports were a central part of his life. Boyd's parents were super supportive of him moving to America to pursue his riding career. He talks about the culture shock he experienced when he first came to America and having to adjust to the different way the eventing community operates. Boyd talks about the operation and barn culture he has created to support the best competitive success possible.

On today's episode of "In Stride," Sinead talks to David O'Connor about horsemanship in competition.David is one of the most accomplished event riders in history. David: • Represented the US at two Olympic Games, winning a team silver in 1996 and an individual gold and team bronze in 2000• Won individual silver and team gold at the 1999 Pan Am games• Won team gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games• Was President of United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) from 2004-2012• Inducted to the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Hall of Fame in 2009; two of his horses are also in the hall of fame