In this episode, Jess Parsons shares her journey from horse obsession to independent saddle fitter, emphasising the importance of honesty, service, and holistic approaches to horse welfare. Her insights challenge the industry norms and highlight the value of building trust and long-term relationships with clients and their horses.

Key Topics:

• Jess's background and motivation for becoming a saddle fitter
• The gap in saddle fitting: holistic approach including body work
• The philosophy of honesty over sales and the importance of integrity
• How to choose a qualified saddle fitter: qualifications and personal credibility
• Common saddle fitting issues and misconceptions in the UK and industry
• The importance of service over product sales and independent advice
• The role of bit fitting, biomechanics, and rider posture in horse performance
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and being underestimated as a woman in the industry
• The rewarding nature of small improvements and client success stories
• Building trust and genuine relationships for horse welfare and owner confidence

Connect with Jess:

• Jess Parsons Equine on Instagram

• Facebook

In this episode of Equestrian Mum Diaries, I share my personal experience of navigating my postpartum body and fitness after having three children - and how each journey has looked completely different.

This is a very honest and personal reflection on what worked for me, what didn’t, and what I’ve learned the third time around. From returning to riding, to rebuilding strength, to finding a routine that actually fits into life with young children - this episode is about doing things in a way that feels supportive rather than pressured.

I talk about the importance of consistency over intensity, listening to your body, and letting go of timelines, expectations, and comparisons. It’s not about “bouncing back” — it’s about slowly finding your way back to feeling strong, capable, and like yourself again.

If you’re in a postpartum season, or finding your way back to movement, this is a gentle reminder to take the pressure off and meet yourself where you are.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.
You can connect with me on Instagram: @sarahelebert
Or follow Equitas at @equitasworldwide

Chat soon,
Sarah x

In this episode of Equestrian Mum Diaries, I talk about something I didn’t expect to feel as strongly as I did — the fear of being alone with my children.

As equestrians, we’re often independent, capable, and used to carrying responsibility. We’re comfortable in our own company, used to caring for others, and making decisions every day. But motherhood brought a very different kind of responsibility, and with it, a level of vulnerability I hadn’t anticipated.

In this short and honest episode, I share my experience of those early days of parenting, the pressure of feeling solely responsible, and how that can put your nervous system on high alert. I also talk about the need for shared responsibility, the comfort of having people around, and how my confidence has grown over time.

This is a gentle reminder that if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or unsure in those moments — you are not alone, and it is more normal than we often allow ourselves to believe.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.
You can connect with me on Instagram: @sarahelebert
Or follow Equitas at @equitasworldwide

Chat soon,
Sarah x

In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Potts from the International Grooms Association for an honest conversation about life behind the scenes in top-level equestrian sport.

Jackie is a highly experienced international groom, having spent 33 years as a member of William Fox-Pitt’s team, and more recently Japanese rider, Kazuma Tomoto.Jackie brings a huge amount of lived knowledge about the realities of grooming at the highest level.

We talk about safeguarding within the sport, the standards of accommodation grooms are given when travelling to events, and the ongoing conversation around room sharing and welfare for grooms working internationally. Jackie also explains the work the International Grooms Association (IGA) is doing to improve conditions across the industry — including having IGA representatives present at events, so grooms have someone they can speak to or confide in if they need support.

We also discuss the mental health challenges that can come with such an isolating and demanding job, the importance of fair working environments, and why grooming should be recognised and supported as a professional career in its own right.

It’s a thoughtful and insightful conversation about the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the sport running.

You can learn more about the International Grooms Association here:
International Grooms Association

In this episode, I talk about the guilt we carry as equestrian mums - the guilt of wanting time with our horses, the guilt of feeling pulled in different directions, and the guilt that can come from trying to be everything to everyone.
I share my thoughts on motherhood, identity, and the emotional tug of balancing family life with the parts of yourself that still matter deeply. If you have ever felt torn between your children, your horses, and yourself, this one is for you.
I hope you enjoy and perhaps take something from it.
You can connect with me via Instagram ⁠@sarahelebert⁠
Chat soon,
Sarah x

In this episode, I speak about maternal mental health and the invisible weight that so many mums carry every single day. I talk about the mental load of motherhood, the pressure of trying to hold everything together, and how easy it can be to lose yourself somewhere in the middle of it all.
As an equestrian mum, there is often so much to juggle - children, horses, home, work, and the constant feeling that you should be doing more.

This is a honest conversation about that reality, and a reminder that our mental health matters too.
I hope you enjoy and perhaps take something from it.
You can connect with me via Instagram ⁠@sarahelebert⁠
Chat soon,
Sarah x

In this episode, I talk about why I felt ready to start sharing again - not because life is neat or perfectly together, but because I wanted to speak more honestly about motherhood, horses, and everything that sits in between. Turns out it has not only helped others, but it has helped me as well!

I share my thoughts on social media, the pressure to look like you’re coping, and what it means to find your voice/ identity again, but this time as an equestrian mum.

I hope you enjoy and perhaps take something from it.

You can connect me with via instagram @sarahelebert

Chat soon,

Sarah x

This week Sarah chats to Cassie, founder of Equitnett -The Equestrian Marketplace for Buying, Selling & Advertising.

Cassie has gained extensive experience of working and travelling abroad with horses and now has come to set up an affordable platform to make advertising easier for those working in the equestrian world. Equinett houses a wide array of ads, from horses for sale to jobs and Cassie speaks passionately about wanting to give visibility to the niche careers that often slip under the radar.

It was a fascinating and insightful chat and definitely worth a listen.

You can learn more about Cassie and Equitnett via the Website and Instagram

Sarah makes as return as host and is joined by Elishia AKA Once In a Bay Moon. They chat about Elishia's start in the equestrian industry, we get to "meet" her two bay boys, Boo and Bart and we put some questions to her that take us down memory lane and have us looking to the future.

You can follow Elishia and her journey primarily on instagram @onceinabaymoon

And for more updates on what is happening with the women of the equine industry - check out Equitas.ie

Thank you for joining us x

In the latest episode of the Equitas Podcast Muireann chats to Julie Driver - all things pilates, horses and life. This one is for all who need to understand the importance of moving our bodies and keeping ourselves right for our horses. Along with a few giggles on the way!