Muireann chats with the straight-talking and hilarious Maxi Witrak about life, comedy, acting, horses and books - what more could anyone ask for!

Follow Maxi on Instagram, Maxi Witrak - Comedy | Facebook,

Not A Traditional Woman | Maxi Witrak | Stand Up Comedyhttps://youtu.be/tDudRpUCvsA?si=ovgc-AoDwqKeomei

In this quick episode, Muireann catches up with Meryl Connoughton - co-creator of the Pony Stars Showcase - an "Introductory Platform" where potential buyers havea unique opportunity to view multiple Event ponies of different levels all in one convenient place.

When? Monday 27th October (Bank holiday in Republic of Ireland).

Where? Killossery Lodge Stud, Co.Dublin

Learn more at Pony Stars - Home | Pony Stars Showcase

or

Pony Stars Instagram

This week Muireann is joined by Eadaoin O' Connell from Suil Liom Equine Learning in Limerick and what an episode it was!

From learning about the amazing yard, to all the different personalites of ponies and what it means to have our first ponies - and what they thought us - this episode has it all!

Take a listen back today to find out more!

What a cracker of an episode this is!

Laura's bravery and honesty shines through in every word spoken - she is an absolute superstar.

From moving countries, to not speaking the language and learning a new process for different yards - this episode has it all.

Listen back today and let us know any questions you might have!

On this episode, Sarah chats to Lizzie from The Equestrian Leadership Consultancy — Leading People, Not Just Horses

What happens when poor leadership breaks your heart—and you decide to fix the system instead of walking away? That’s exactly what Lizzie did.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How a bad management experience early in her career pushed her toward people leadership.

• Why the equestrian world is united by horses but divided by people—and how that’s fixable.

• What military-style management still lingering in equestrian culture is doing to morale, retention, and respect.

• The hard truth: non-action is an action, and your team feels it.

• Practical tools Lizzie uses to help freelance providers, business owners, and yard managers lead better—from motivation to difficult conversations.

• Why retaining staff isn’t just a business win—it directly improves horse welfare.

💬 “To change how we work with horses, we have to change how we lead people.”

Lizzie is clear, passionate, and practical—and this episode is essential listening for anyone trying to build a team, solve communication issues, or run a business that puts people and horses first.

Lizzie has offered any listeners of the podcast access to a couple of her resources, so drop her an email @ [email protected] and mention the podcast.

Other places you can learn more about her:

Website: Equestrian Leadership

Socials: Lizzie *The Equestrian Leadership Consultancy* (@equestrian_leadership) • Instagram photos and videos

From working as a Corn Ranger at 16 to becoming an official partner of British Showjumping—Jessica Vickers has built a nationally recognised equestrian business without a background in horses.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why price isn’t the only reason UNIBED is a success.

• The realities of running a business while raising two young children—and why some days the business wins, and some days the kids do.

• How in working in almost exclusively d

• Her proudest moment so far: signing a major partnership contract while breastfeeding her newborn.

• The challenges she’s faced learning bout sponsorships, partnerships, and navigating the corporate side of equestrianism.

• Plans for a new product launch and a purpose-built facility in 2025.

Jessica didn’t grow up in this world—she built her way into it. And she’s still winging it. But it’s working.

🎧 Tune in now.

Learn More about Jessica in the article > HERE

Contact / Follow Jessica / Unibed:

Website: Unibed Bedding

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @unibedding

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057536105747

Áine from Breathe With Horses joins us for one of the most moving episodes we’ve recorded.

She talks openly about:🌿 Renovating Trohanny Cottage with her late husband🧠 Being diagnosed with ADHD later in life🐎 How horses have always been her constant

We go deep on:— Finding your real self, not just your role— What actually happens in an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy session (EAGALA method)— Why she combines this with Breathwork—and what that unlocks — Solas and SuperJet (yes, the horses), their backgrounds, personalities and how she not only guards their wellbeing while helping others, but her own too.

☁️ Nature. Honesty. Healing via horses. Even in the rain.

Contact / Follow Aine:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@breathewithhorses.tc⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠Trohanny Cottage | Irish Thatched Cottage⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠Breathe with Horses | Trohanny Cottage⁠⁠

Email : ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Book: ⁠Tales From an Irish Thatch⁠

The Pineapple Pony and my name is Jeff! Episode 25 of the Double D's saw Oonagh O Brien joining Muireann for our weekly chat! This one was all about the giggles, rescue horses and dogs, the joys of getting back into sports we had stepped away from and a few serious questions along the way. We discussed the how much joy minature ponies Pixie and Peanut have brought into Oonaghs life and the responce from people who get to meet them! Their personalities are second to none and bar a wrong sock choice the weekend at Cork show was this weeks ride of the week. Muireann sang her mother in laws praises and how greatful she is to have Eileen and her wealth of knowledge in her life. This past two weeks she received two life time awards and deserved them both equally. Listen back to the full chat here. See you all next week! Muir, Sarah and guest xx

Cat Carter from EQUK joins us to talk truth on careers, barriers, and the equestrian industry’s biggest blind spot—access to education.

For years, Cat was told a career with horses wasn’t viable.

Not because she wasn’t good enough.

But because no one could show her what was actually possible.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The 3 big access barriers: financial, geographical, and emotional
• Creative careers in the equine world—designers, devs, illustrators, and makers
• The new EQUK x Equitas career database, launching Sept 2025
• Why knowing your options = power

This one’s for the riders, students, parents, and anyone who’s ever asked “what else is out there?"

Contact / Follow Cat:

Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/equk__

Website: https://equk.org/

Article: Cat Carter - EQUK

The sign up form for education providers to list their qualifications is here: https://mailchi.mp/70afaaa17d0b/providers-sign-up

This week, Muireann is joined by equine specialist and educator Helen O’Hanlon for a thoughtful, grounded, and often hilarious episode of Double D’s.They explore:🍎 How Helen’s work as a teacher naturally integrates into her horsemanship🚫 Letting go of the habit of over-apologising and learning to own your space☀️ Summer plans with their ponies (including Helen’s open call to the universe for a big Connemara!)🎯 Quick-fire questions that reveal more than expectedHelen brings a powerful mix of psychology, ethical horsemanship, and rider confidence, creating a conversation that’s as empowering as it is enjoyable.Hit play for genuine insights, plenty of laughs, and a fresh take on equestrian life and mindset.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!#DoubleDsLivePodcast #EquestrianPodcast #HelenOHanlon #FemaleEquestrians #Equitas #EthicalHorsemanship #ConfidenceInTheSaddle