Kanter Kulture

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The Congress is coming, everyone is stressed, and frankly—we needed to laugh.

This week, Ali sits down in the barn with longtime friend and horseman Shaun Sellers for a completely unfiltered conversation about his journey from the elite hunter world to the stock-horse industry, preparing a young buckskin mare for Congress, and why his approach to horse showing is anything but conventional.

Shaun shares how he develops confidence in young horses, why horse welfare will always come before a class, and how keeping things fun can make you a better horseman. They also get into show-ring nerves, questionable fashion choices, pheromone cologne in the longe line, sparkly jackets, badly behaved personal horses, unexpected puppies, and the reality that sometimes it simply isn’t your day.

Behind all the chaos is an important reminder: horse shows will always be there, we’re riding glorified farm animals, and if you’re still having fun—you’ve already won.

Fair warning: this episode contains adult language, barn humor, and absolutely no shortage of opinions.

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Something new is happening in the AQHA hunter world… and we are HERE for it.

Ali sits down with Lainie DeBoer and Sarah Chabot to break down AQHA English Versatility—from how the idea started and the two-year process of developing it to the brand-new English Versatility Challenge headed to the AQHA World Show.

We’re talking about why the hunter division needed another opportunity, what judges are actually looking for, how the pattern works, who can enter, the VS Code Red Versatility Series, major prizes, $50,000 currently up for grabs at the World Show Challenge, and why this class could open entirely new doors for hunter under saddle horses, riders, breeders and stallion owners.

And before you start picturing your HUS horse staring down a three-foot fence… relax. 😂 The inaugural World Show pattern is designed to be inviting, with rails on the ground, no jumps—and yes, there are even cookies waiting for the horses at the end.

More importantly, this isn't just about adding another class. It's about trying something different, listening to exhibitors and creating new opportunities for the horses we love.

Could English Versatility be a glimpse at the future of the AQHA hunter division?

We think you're going to want to lean into this one.

Want to see what the class looks like? Click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WppJvyVcvrA

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Micah Howard and I are DIY Amateurs, which is basically a cute way of saying we spend an absolutely irresponsible amount of money to do most of the work ourselves.

We ride our own horses. We haul to weekend shows. We obsessively analyze videos. We occasionally require professional adult supervision. And then, for reasons neither of us can fully explain, we also think it’s a perfectly reasonable idea to roll into places like the Congress, NSBA World and AQHA World Show and say, “Yeah… I can probably do this.”

In this episode, Micah and I get into the very glamorous reality of doing this yourself — figuring out quirky horses, finding trainers who will tolerate our independent streaks, learning when to ask for help, getting humbled at weekend shows and then showing up at the big ones like we belong there.

We talk about the $500,000-horse problem, horse show politics, intimidating barns, expensive rigs, aging amateur bodies, showmanship theatrics, financial decisions that would concern a licensed professional and the deeply unhealthy emotional relationships we have with our horses.

At one point, OnlyFans enters the financial planning discussion.

Things deteriorate from there.

But somewhere between the inappropriate jokes and questionable financial decisions, we actually get serious about something that matters: you do NOT need the fanciest horse, trailer, trainer or bank account to belong in this industry.

Sometimes you buy what you can afford.
Sometimes you make the horse yourself.
Sometimes you get your ass kicked at the weekend show.
Sometimes you make the finals at the World Show.

And sometimes you do all four with the same horse.

So this episode is for the DIY Amateurs. The weekend warriors. The people riding after work. The ones who pull their own trailer, saddle their own horse, watch the video 47 times, ask someone smarter than them for help and then go home and try again.

We may not have a giant machine behind us.

We do, however, possess a truly concerning amount of confidence.

And apparently, that’ll get you pretty damn far.

This episode is sponsored by ME!!! Guys, we have merch now!

https://ali-hubbell-shop.fourthwall.com/

Click the link and happy shopping :)

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The Horse Girl Group Chat is back...and this one might spark a few debates. 👀

This week on Kanter Kulture, Ali is joined by Patty Bogosh and Kelley Martin for one of the most honest conversations we've had yet. We kick things off with a fun round of Would You Rather: Horse Girl Edition, but it doesn't take long before we dive into one of the biggest topics in the horse industry:

Why are some horse shows thriving while others are struggling?

We talk about:
• Why super circuits continue to grow
• The real cost of showing horses (and where the money actually goes)
• Flat fees vs. traditional entry fees
• Prize money, exhibitor incentives, and what actually makes people want to attend a horse show
• Why some local weekend shows can't fill stalls
• The intimidation factor of AQHA competition
• Whether social media is helping—or hurting—new exhibitors
• Creative ideas that could help welcome more people into our industry

Along the way, Patty and Kelley share how they each found their way into the Quarter Horse world, proving that none of us simply woke up one day as Level 3 Amateur exhibitors. Every journey has included stepping stones, setbacks, heartbreak, and plenty of lessons.

This isn't about complaining.

It's about having real conversations, sharing different perspectives, and asking how we can make our industry stronger for everyone who loves showing horses.

We don't claim to have all the answers—but we hope this episode gets you thinking.

🎧 After you listen, we'd love to hear your take. What would you change about today's horse show experience?

If you're enjoying these conversations, be sure to subscribe to Kanter Kulture, leave a review, and share the episode with a fellow horse girl.
:::

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What if horse shows didn't leave you exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why you spent so much money?

This week, I'm recapping my weekend at the Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association's Little Buckeye—and honestly, it reminded me why I fell in love with horse shows in the first place.

One trip through the pen. Four judges. A horse show bill of just $356. Great competition, incredible prizes, amazing food, and somehow... I came home on Monday actually feeling rested instead of completely burned out.

In this solo episode, I'm sharing what made this show so different and why I think there are lessons here for the entire stock horse industry.

We also dive into:

• Why the "show once to four judges" format worked so well for me.
• Whether we've made horse showing more complicated than it needs to be.
• My thoughts on Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and why so many exhibitors feel intimidated.
• Why I think Green Horse eligibility deserves another look.
• An idea that could make showing more encouraging for new exhibitors and young horses.
• Why weekend horse shows still matter—and why I think they're an important part of keeping our industry strong.

This isn't about saying every horse show should look the same. Super circuits absolutely have their place. But after this weekend, I couldn't stop thinking about one question:

What if making horse shows more enjoyable is just as important as making them bigger?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What makes you want to keep showing—and what would make the experience even better?

If you see me at a horse show, please come say hello. Meeting listeners is one of my favorite parts of doing this podcast.

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The horse industry has changed dramatically over the last twenty years—but are those changes helping us grow or quietly shrinking our community?

In this episode of Kanter Kulture, Ali sits down with horse trainer, educator, and industry advocate Crysta Brown for an honest conversation about the future of horse showing, the barriers keeping new people out of the sport, and what we can do to make horses more accessible without sacrificing excellence.

Together, they dive into everything from the rise of week-long horse shows and the disappearance of local stepping-stone opportunities to the challenges facing young trainers, the intimidation factor that drives people away, and whether our current system is sustainable long-term.

Crysta shares her thoughts on creating better "on-ramps" into the industry, developing future horsemen and horsewomen, supporting local clubs, and why horse professionals may need to rethink traditional business models. The conversation also explores confidence, imposter syndrome, mentorship, financial realities, and the difficult decisions many exhibitors face when balancing horses with real life.

Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a weekend exhibitor, a trainer, or someone wondering how to get started in the horse world, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where we are—and where we could go next.

Topics discussed:
• Why local horse shows matter
• The disappearing path from beginner to competitor
• Youth programs, 4-H, and industry growth
• Trainer burnout and sustainability
• Building a horse business in today's market
• Confidence, intimidation, and imposter syndrome
• Why mentorship matters
• Accessibility versus exclusivity in horse showing
• Creating better opportunities for newcomers
• The future of the Quarter Horse industry

Because the future of our industry depends on more than great horses—it depends on making sure people have a place in it.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Why This Conversation Matters
01:00 Crysta's Viral Post About Horse Shows
03:00 Have We Lost the Stepping Stones?
06:00 Why Horse Showing Feels Out of Reach for Many Families
08:00 Yellowstone, Katie Van Slyke & Public Perception of Horses
10:00 The Missing On-Ramp Into Quarter Horses
12:00 Volunteerism, Local Clubs & Industry Growth
15:00 Intimidation and Why People Quit Showing
16:00 The "Spicy Meatball" Debate About Amateur Divisions
18:00 Young Trainers & The Need for Mentorship
22:00 Confidence, Self-Doubt & Industry Pressure
27:00 Learning to Stop Caring What Others Think
29:00 What Do You Actually Want From Horses?
30:00 Ali's Real-Life Horse Show Dilemma
37:00 Why Professional Opinions Matter
39:00 Trainer Burnout & Why Horse Trainers Don't Charge Enough
42:00 The Business Side Nobody Teaches Horse Trainers
45:00 Marketing, Social Media & Building a Sustainable Business
48:00 Crysta's New Horseman Development Program
50:00 Building Better Pathways for Future Exhibitors
55:00 Final Thoughts on the Future of the Industry

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In this episode of Kanter Kulture, I sit down with AQHA amateur exhibitor John Whitney for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet about what it REALLY takes to level up in the all-around industry.

We dive into:
• going from Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 competition
• the truth about “horse show politics”
• why consistency matters more than quick success
• campaigning horses the RIGHT way
• building young horses over time
• confidence, mental toughness, and showmanship strategy
• balancing horses, careers, money, and family life
• why some amateurs continue improving… and others plateau

John shares his journey from cleaning stalls and riding difficult horses in 4-H to competing at the highest levels of AQHA competition, all while balancing corporate life, family, and the realities of amateur showing.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the Level 3 pen, frustrated trying to “move up,” or questioned whether you belong in certain arenas… this episode is for you.

This conversation is packed with reality checks, motivation, strategy, and the kind of horse show talk we all have standing in the aisle at midnight after a class.

And honestly? Some of the things John says about “politics” in the horse industry might completely change the way you look at competition.

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Just in time for Mother’s Day, we’re wrapping up our 3-part mom series with the final episode — and this one is for every horse show mom, trainer mom, barn mom, and woman trying to raise tiny humans while still chasing big goals.

Ali sits down with Jamie English to talk about the real-life juggle of motherhood, marriage, horse training, showing, pregnancy, childcare, living quarters trailers, ponies, screen time, and raising kids inside the chaos of the horse show world.

Jamie shares what it was like having her son later in life, riding through pregnancy, returning to the saddle after a C-section, managing a training business with a toddler, and learning that kids don’t have to stop your life — they can become part of it.

From packing bubbles and must-have toys to finding good help, communicating with clients, making time for your marriage, and teaching kids to adapt, this episode is honest, funny, relatable, and full of real talk from women who are figuring it out one horse show at a time.

Because horse show kids? They’re just built different.

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KROSS KANTER is officially here.

In this first episode, I sit down with Alicia Owens — a multiple World and National Champion in the Morgan and Saddlebred industry — to kick off a series that goes beyond just one discipline.

This conversation is equal parts insightful and unfiltered.

We get into:

• The surprising similarities (and differences) between disciplines
• What each side of the industry doesn’t understand about the other
• The reality of amateur vs trainer relationships
• The true cost of horse showing—and what it’s actually worth
• And the one thing every horse person has… a heart horse

There are a lot of laughs, a few reality checks, and plenty of moments that will make you think, “wait… that’s exactly how I feel too.”

This isn’t just another episode.
 It’s the start of something bigger.

Welcome to KROSS KANTER — different disciplines, same obsession.

• 00:00 – Introducing KROSS KANTER
• 02:30 – Meet Alicia Owens (Morgan & Saddlebred world)
• 06:00 – “Why are our industries so similar?”
• 10:00 – Discipline differences (and confusion 😂)
• 18:00 – Amateur vs Trainer dynamics (real talk)
• 28:00 – What it actually costs to show horses
• 38:00 – Academy vs ownership debate
• 50:00 – What makes a great horse (and rider)
• 1:05:00 – The reality of horse show culture
• 1:20:00 – “Heart horses” and emotional connection
• 1:35:00 – Funny horse show stories + chaos moments
• 1:50:00 – Final thoughts + what KROSS KANTER will be

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What happens when you reach the top… and then have to walk away?

In this episode of Kanter Kulture, I sit down with legendary AQHA showman Kip Riley—a World Champion whose journey in the horse industry is anything but ordinary.

From stepping away from horses for over 20 years… to coming back and dominating at the highest level… to ultimately losing a once-in-a-lifetime partner—Kip shares the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to succeed in the show pen.

We talk about:

•  The mindset behind winning at the highest level 
•  The pressure of being “the one to beat” 
•  Why success isn’t always sustainable 
•  The devastating loss that changed everything 
•  Walking away from competition—and finding purpose again 
•  What riders don’t understand about judges 
•  How to actually stand out in the showmanship pen 

This episode is for anyone who has ever:
 Felt the pressure to perform
 Questioned their place in the industry
 Or wondered what comes after the dream

Because sometimes… the story doesn’t end at the top.

🎙️ Listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway.

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