This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 5* event rider Sally Cousins. Sally Cousins is an accomplished FEI 5* international event rider and was the USEA Leading Lady Rider for six consecutive years (2008–2013). She began riding as a young child after her family purchased a farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania, and quickly found her passion through Pony Club and the sport of eventing. By her mid-teens, Sally had completed her first one-star three-day event, and at just 20 years old, she traveled to England to compete at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials. She remained in the UK that year and went on to complete the Burghley Horse Trials later that season. In addition to her riding career, Sally spent 16 years working as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before deciding to turn professional and commit fully to eventing. Today, she operates Sally Cousins Eventing, training horses and riders out of her bases in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. In this episode, Sally reflects on the choices and philosophies that have shaped her decades-long career in eventing, including: • How being strategic about which events she entered helped her horses stay sound and competitive for longer. • Why she’s never hesitated to withdraw a horse at the last minute if they weren’t ready, prioritizing their well-being over competition goals. • What led her to leave a successful 16-year career as a stockbroker to pursue horses full-time. • The importance of building a trusting relationship with each horse and following her gut when deciding whether to push forward or hold back. Join Sally and Sinead in this thoughtful conversation about longevity, horsemanship, and the mindset behind a sustainable career in the sport.