Untouched to world champion in less than 72 hours? That's the story of Goodluck Suncat, newly nicknamed Rumor. Tik Maynard, defending world champion, partnered with this borderline feral, three-year-old Quarter Horse at the 2025 Road to the Horse to clinch the World Championship of Colt Starting. Tik (of Copperline Equestrian) and Chelsea Canedy (of Unexpected Farm and proud new owner of this cuddle bug) join me to give the inside scoop of Rumor's personality and dish on what it takes to turn a green youngster into a champion. Spoiler alert: it’s not just talent—it’s trust, timing, and a touch of luck.

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Zhaplin is a standout in the Adult Amateur Grand Prix dressage scene, best known as the accomplished partner of Charlotte Jorst of Kastel Denmark. But beyond his success in the ring, Zhaplin has gained attention for something even more (or less?) unique—his clones! In this episode, Charlotte shares insights into Zhaplin’s personality as a Grand Prix champion and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his genetic doubles, Led Zhaplin and Stairway to Heaven. Tune in to hear how these equine copycats are living up to the legacy encoded in their DNA. 

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With a breeding career spanning two decades, "Hero" of Clovermeade Welsh Ponies has quite literally been at the beginning of many a child's pony fairytale. As a three-time Pony Hunter Sire of the Year and helping his breeder Cheryl Patton grasp the Pony Hunter Breeder of the Year title eight times - that's right... EIGHT - his legacy speaks for itself. Cheryl joins as our guest with her daughter Elizabeth to share what it is about Hero's personality that makes him such a stud - pun 100% intended.

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Qredit has not only proven himself as a top dressage horse and a top dressage stallion, but he also makes himself known to the other stallions at Hilltop Farm, hence the nickname "King Q." But once he's quickly said his piece, he goes back to being a laidback and uncomplicated dude. Quirks are not his thing - it takes too much effort to be weird! He prefers to be straightforward, to stick with the people he knows, and to stay focused on the business at hand. Oh, and keep those blankets to yourself!

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On Tour may have had a late start to his pony hunter career, completing his green year when he was 10 years old, but "Morley" wasted no time making a name for himself. Although his late arrival to the show circuit meant he had a bit more growing up to do than his competitors, his catch rider Kenzie Smith and her mom Heather Acker knew just how to hold his hand to build his confidence, keep him happy, and reach his potential. 

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Where "Roy" lacks in the size department, he makes up for in personality, which fits perfectly with his reputation as the cartoon character of North Star Sport Horses. "He's so different from any other horse," according to his owner and rider Charlotte Jacobs. But with time, this small and mighty chestnut gelding taught Charlotte exactly what he needed, enabling him to soar far above the expectations she had. Through communication, compromise, and connection, the duo was able to earn the title of the USEF Reserve Grand Champion Jumper in 2024.

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Sometimes all a horse needs is a confident, supportive hand to hold, so-to-speak. Alisa and Jason Berry were able to give "Porter" just that, allowing him to shine in record time in the 3'6" Amateur Owner Hunters. Building trust and building confidence were the building blocks of the Berrys' training program, enabling Porter to secure the USEF Grand Champion Horse of the Year title in 2024. 

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At the highest level, the best cutting horses don't just like to do their job - they need to do it. Kat Play is one of these special horses, and Monty Buntin, NCHA Hall of Fame trainer, understands how to support Kat Play's personality to maximize his instinct to separate the cow from the herd. As so many of the super successful horses do, Kat Play has his quirks, such as being claustrophobic and being particular about his routine and his people, but when he knows what to expect and when he has his support team around him, Kat Play regularly finds himself among the best in the world.

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It may have taken a few years, but Keely McIntosh Minturn found Hilton's calling in Hunter World. Once upon a time, Hilton in hunters would have been unthinkable, but after he suffered a serious injury, Keely put Hilton in the amateur owner hunters to give him a step down from his jumper job. As fate would have it, he loves it! Then after Keely suffered her own serious injury, Hilton helped Keely build back her confidence, which was only fair after she helped him overcome some behavioral challenges of his own when they first partnered!

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INXS (pronounced "In Excess"), a talented Grand Prix dressage horse, is learning how to harness his intensity without resulting in tension. Ali Potasky, who co-own INXS with Kathy Priest, has been helping him find his zen since the day she got him 5 years ago. He is enthusiastic, sensitive and wants to please so badly - almost too much. But with Ali's calming patience and her focus on helping him find confidence both as a horse and as an elite athlete, the two have found a rhythm to their partnership and have achieved huge success at shows such as Dressage at Devon and the US Dressage Finals.

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