The Amplify Horse Racing Podcast

This special educational episode of the Amplify Horse Racing Podcast is your ultimate guide for a day at the racetrack! Hosts Annise Montplaisir and Kaitlin Christopherson share essential tips and insider knowledge so that you can plan ahead and have an unforgettable experience during morning training OR racing. Whether you are a seasoned racegoer or a first-time visitor, this episode is packed with everything you need to know–from a rundown on racetrack etiquette so you can move around with confidence, and apparel advice so you stay comfortable throughout the day. Annise and Kaitlin blend their passion for horse racing with practical advice, ensuring you’ll walk away with the knowledge you need to enjoy every moment. Tune in to this special episode and get ready to make the most of your day at the racetrack! 

In this episode of the Amplify Horse Racing Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome professional USEA and 5* level event rider Ashley Adams. Ashley started riding at a young age and was a United States Pony Club member. She fell in love with the eventing world after taking a clinic and soon after purchased her first off-the-track Thoroughbred. Through working as a working student for professional riders, she was launched into her career as professional herself. 

Ashley’s experience is as diverse as it is impressive. She has galloped Thoroughbreds on the track, worked with steeplechase horses, and mentored younger riders with off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Her journey even took her to Australia, where she galloped racehorses and gained valuable insights into the Australian racing industry.

Ashley shares how her time as an exercise rider honed her balance and position as an eventer. She also dives deep into the different levels and phases of eventing: dressage, show jumping, and cross-country. Ashley explains why Thoroughbreds are often chosen as eventing horses, highlighting their durability, stamina, and work ethic. She also takes us through the training process of transitioning a horse from the racetrack to becoming a successful event horse. Join us for an insightful conversation with Ashley Adams as she shares her expertise, passion, and the unique bond between Thoroughbreds and eventing!

Racehorse trainer Jade Cunningham joins the Amplify Horse Racing podcast on this episode. Jade grew up around horses in Tennessee at her mom’s riding stable, and was introduced to the racehorse world through her mom and stepdad in Kentucky. She started as a hotwalker and then started galloping racehorses and absolutely fell in love with the Thoroughbred industry. After making connections with a trainer, she continued to hone in on her riding skills breezing race horses on a private farm. After watching a filly she was exercising win a stakes race, Jade realized that her passion was more than riding, and she wanted to become a trainer. Jade worked for hall of fame trainer, Wayne D. Lukas, and then for Dallas Stewart for many years before opening her own stable. She is now running a successful racing stable after being on her own for only a year. At only 27, she is one to watch. This episode is packed with advice, tips on working in the industry, and stories of perseverance and making connections. If you are interested in pursuing any job on the track, tune in to learn from Jade!

Noé Tostivint joins the Amplify Horse Racing Podcast to discuss yearling sales preparations. Originally from Eus, France, Noé has traveled the world and now resides in Lexington, Kentucky, where he is the yearling manager at the Don Alberto Corporation. He shares his journey from learning to ride horses in high school to working in England, Ireland, Australia, and the U.S.. He also discusses his journey to learn English in order to immerse himself in the Thoroughbred industry. Noé describes the different methods of preparing yearlings in Europe, Australia, and the U.S., providing insights into the challenges and rewards of managing yearlings for sales. He also shares personal experiences and lessons learned, highlighting the significance of adaptability and continuous learning. This episode offers valuable knowledge and inspiring stories from Noé's remarkable career in the international Thoroughbred industry. Don't miss it!

Become an Amplify Mentor or Mentee! In this special episode, originally aired live on June 20, 2024, we bring you an insightful Q & A session hosted by Amplify’s Annise Montplaisir and Mary-Courtney Combs, dedicated to answering all your questions about the Amplify Mentorship Program. Whether you're a potential mentor looking to share your expertise or a mentee eager to learn and grow, this episode is packed with valuable information tailored just for you. Tune in as we dive into the details of the Mentorship Program, providing clarity on the application process, the program timeline, and what it means to be a mentee and a mentor. Listen to learn more about becoming a mentor or mentee! 

Please note that this episode was originally recorded as a live-stream session hosted on Thursday, June 20, 2024. We talk about people submitting questions live over social media, which is now irrelevant to this podcast episode. If you have questions, submit them any time to [email protected]!

Since moving to Kentucky from Maryland a few years ago, Sara Gordon has become a prominent figure in the world of horse racing media. If you’ve ever scrolled the social media channels of the trade publication, the Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN), you’ve seen the fruits of Sara’s labor. She’s often awake before dawn to capture content at the track or on farms, and stays up well after dark creating reels. With her keen eye for detail and a deep passion for the sport, Sara has carved out a distinguished career as the social media manager and a writer for the TDN. 

Sara’s journey into Thoroughbred racing began with a strong foundation in journalism, honed through years of work at various equine media outlets. In this episode, Sara shares the path that led her to journalism, horses that have inspired her along the way, and how she beats boredom by staying busy. As a social media manager, she feels a commitment to taking fans behind behind-the-scenes of the industry through engaging reels and posts.

Amber Wells joins the Amplify podcast to discuss social license to operate as it relates to horses' emotional well-being, also known as their affective state. Amber's passion for horses began in her childhood when she participated in rodeo and 4-H, where her interest in both horses and extension education were sparked. Amber is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in animal science with a specialization in equine behavior and extension at Oklahoma State University and discusses the opportunities she embraced to deepen her understanding of equine affective states, particularly through her involvement in her research project, RAiSE (Recognizing Affective State in Equine). Amber discusses her research focusing on the factors that influence horses' moods, considering both human emotions and environmental factors. She also shares her journey from being an undergraduate student aspiring to be a veterinarian to pursuing a master’s degree and eventually a PhD, all driven by her commitment to public education on equine welfare. Amber’s dedication to raising awareness and fostering positive change within the equine community is evident throughout this episode. Any horse lover or enthusiast will walk away with a fresh perspective on horses and their well-being.

Learn more about how you can participate in the RAiSE research project! Please note that participants need to be 18 years or older. https://bit.ly/4bglX5X

This week on the Amplify Podcast, we're joined by Aisling Carrol, a talented Thoroughbred rider and dedicated horsewoman. Aisling wears many hats in the equine industry, most of which involve being in the saddle or working closely with horses. Her roles include exercise rider, barn foreman, and 3-day event rider.

Growing up, Aisling spent much of her time at the track with her parents, who trained Thoroughbreds and continue to work in the industry. Naturally, she gravitated towards working with Thoroughbreds from a young age. At 12, she discovered her love for sport horses and began re-training young Thoroughbreds for their second careers after racing.

In this episode, Aisling shares her deep passion for aftercare and discusses her training techniques, the different stages of training a horse coming off the track, and her various approaches to working with off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Whether you're interested in becoming an exercise rider on the track or involved in retraining Thoroughbreds for new careers, you'll find this episode both educational and inspiring!

On this episode, co-hosts Annise Montplaisir and Kaitlin Christopherson take the spotlight in a solo episode. Join them as they reintroduce themselves, three years after starting the podcast. Annise and Kaitlin share similar backgrounds, growing up in families without equine ties, far from Kentucky, and building their early foundation of horsemanship through the 4-H Horse Project. Now, they both hold executive positions in the Thoroughbred industry, along with enjoying horses as a hobby through different riding disciplines. Kaitlin and Annise dive into their friendship, their first riding experiences, and their career trajectories to find their way into the industry. Tune in to discover the personalities behind the voices of the Amplify podcast!

Annise Montplaisir is joined by Evan Ferraro, Director of Marketing at Fasig-Tipton, North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company. Evan grew up in the Thoroughbred industry in California, and was determined to become a horse trainer like his father until a post-college internship at Fasig-Tipton changed the course of his career. Evan talks about the importance of putting yourself in the right situations to make connections, and how doing this as a college student led to his career journey at Fasig-Tipton, where he worked his way from being an intern to a director. Evan and Annise also discuss the various sales held by Fasig-Tipton, the history behind them, and the processes of getting horses from a nomination all the way into the sales ring.