“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we explore what it means to build an eventing career far from the sport’s traditional strongholds. From the challenges of limited resources to the excitement of a home Olympic Games on the horizon, this conversation dives into the heart of what keeps riders pushing forward in a changing sport — and how community, resilience, and long-term thinking continue to shape the landscape.

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Sentinel Horse Feed.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 8?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by Australian 5* rider Hazel Shannon, now four-time winner of the 2025 Australian International Three-Day Event 5* at Adelaide and a standout presence in her country’s eventing scene. Hazel shares her unique journey, including the evolution of her partnership with her beloved partner WillingaPark Clifford, navigating major changes in her professional life, and the cultural differences that shape eventing across hemispheres. Whether you're riding at home or chasing big dreams across the globe, this episode is a reminder that the path to success isn’t always linear — and that sometimes the most powerful growth comes from the quietest grit.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

Sally reviews the recent Nations Cup CCIO4* at Bicton — where Laura Collett and London 52 secured their historic three-peat victory and the US Eventing Team brought home a second-place finish — previews the extensive entry list for the Luhmühlen 5*, and discusses upcoming 4* events Bramham, Bromont, and the Melbourne International Three-Day.

[Watch Luhmühlen with 15% off a Horse & Country membership: "EVENTINGNATION15"]

Sally and Hazel dive into the unique realities of eventing in Australia — from the sheer logistics of traveling across a continent the size of the US, to the growing importance of community, innovation, and long-term vision as the nation prepares for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. They discuss the role of Thoroughbreds in Aussie eventing, how Hazel navigated a major shift in her career after parting ways with her longtime coach, and why a long-term mindset matters more than ever in modern sport. 

Sally prompts Hazel to further discuss Aussie riders' apparent horrified relationship with American coffee, event venues in America and bucket-list competitions for the 5* champion, as well as the age-old question about life outside the barn — if there is such a thing.

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Join us next time at Go Eventing when we sit down with performance coach Natalie Hummel — it's going to be one you won't want to miss!

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let’s make this your favorite tack-room listen.

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we take a deep dive into one of the sport’s crown jewels — the Badminton Horse Trials — and we do it with someone who is “the voice of the sport” in many ways, narrating competitions like the Olympics as well as 5*s like Kentucky and Badminton (plus plenty of miles commentating for other equestrian sports!).

🔎What’s Inside Episode 7?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by former eventing rider and current broadcast commentator John Kyle, who is based in the UK with his wife, Pippa Roome of Horse & Hound notoriety, but travels the world to bring his voice and knowledge to equestrian sports in virtually every country. This episode is a blend of event recaps and thoughtful conversations on what it takes to tell the story of eventing to the world — and John’s insights remind us that behind every memorable ride, there’s a story waiting to be told.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

Sally and John touch on Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo's record achievement at Badminton, Hazel Shannon & WillingaPark Clifford's historic Adelaide win, Boyd Martin & Cooley Nutcracker's triumph at Tryon, and preview the Bicton FEI Eventing Nations Cup, where we'll see our US European Development Tour riders compete.

[The Flying Corgi at Badminton (please keep your dogs under control!)]

[Watch the FEI Eventing Nations Cup on FEI.tv]

John gives us his background in eventing and his commentary career, how he prepares for a commentary session, and his advice to those interested in pursuing a similar career path. He and Sally also discuss how to promote events in a better way, prize money and public visibility with the FEI, and the biggest changes and areas for improvement in the sport.

[John Kyle Speaks]

Listen in to hear the best event John's worked at, his pet peeves and anxiety in the booth, how many airline miles he has, and the conflicts that arise in sport discussions within his marriage to an equestrian editor.

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Next up on Go Eventing: Adelaide winner Hazel Shannon and high-performance equestrian sports psychologist Natalie Hummel!

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Your voice matters! Share your thoughts, questions, and favorite Badminton moments with us — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's make this your favorite barn commute listen.

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. In this episode, we’re taking a look behind the curtain of one of the sport’s biggest weeks — with a guest who knows how to navigate the spotlight and the stirrup in equal measure.

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Kentucky Performance Products Horse Supplements, where The Horse That Matters to You Matters to Us.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 6?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by rider, coach, and new selector Sinead Maynard for a candid and timely conversation that reflects on the highs, lows, and learning moments from the 2025 Kentucky Three-Day Event. From rookie breakthroughs to sanction headlines, no stone is left unturned as the two explore the nuanced realities of modern eventing.

This episode strikes at the heart of what it means to evolve — as a rider, as a sport, and as a community. Through tough conversations (and our EN-trademarked moments of levity), Sally and Sinead remind us that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress, empathy, and shared responsibility.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

Sally and Sinead dive into a recap of the top rides and stories from the Kentucky Three-Day Event, and preview the entries and ones to watch at the upcoming Badminton Horse Trials.

[Read about Ali Kuhn and her viral Pink Pony Club mount Little Hail]

Get behind-the-scenes insights from Sinead about the role of the commentator at international events. She and Sally also address a fairly sensitive topic on everyone's mind right now — how should the media treat incidents like the sanctions that were handed down or like the viral videos of Calvin Böckmann’s near-fall, and how do we help our sport obtain its social license without also brushing things that need to be changed under the rug?

[Warwick Schiller's book: The Principles of Training]

Learn all about Sinead's important role as a USEF Team Selector, along with her controversial Starbucks order and how many unread texts and emails she currently has on her phone!

[Sally's article on Sinead and Allison Springer's Olympic/Burghley Adventures]

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here!]

Upcoming episodes and next co-host: the voice of international eventing himself — John Kyle!

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Your voice matters! Share your thoughts, questions, and Kentucky hot takes with us — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts!

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

🎙️ Mini Episode: Feeding the Event Horse with Kristyn Sturken of Sentinel Horse Feeds

In this special mini episode, we're joined by Kristyn Sturken, Equine Product Manager at Sentinel Horse Feeds, for a quick-hit conversation packed with helpful insights for feeding your event horse.

🏇 Whether you’re galloping toward your next event or just trying to make sense of all the feed options on the market, Kristyn breaks it down in an approachable, myth-busting chat.

We cover:

🧠 Key considerations when fueling an event horse across all phases of training and competition

💥 What actually gives your horse energy (spoiler: it's not always what you think!)

🧪 Why testing your hay is way more important than most riders realize

❌ Myths about feeding performance horses—and what you should be focusing on

🔍 What extruded feed is and why it might be a game-changer for your horse’s digestion and performance

🎧 Short, sweet, and packed with expert advice, this is one you'll want to revisit next time you’re in the feed room.

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to The Go Eventing Podcast, the official podcast of Eventing Nation! This is where eventing’s biggest stories, challenges, and triumphs come to life — mixed with a healthy dose of humor, storytelling, and a little behind-the-scenes magic that helps bridge the gap between the everyday eventer and our industry's biggest names. This week, we’re leaning into the electric energy of Kentucky week with one of the sport’s most thoughtful and inspiring voices.

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Sentinel Horse Feed.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 5?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by 5* rider, coach, and all-around eventing icon Sharon White for a deep and engaging conversation on what it really means to prepare — for Kentucky, for the Olympics, and for life. This one’s part pep talk, part masterclass, and 100% from the heart.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

We discuss the sudden and shocking change of venue for the equestrian events at the LA2028 Olympics from Galway Downs to Santa Anita Park, and go over the draw order for the Kentucky Three-Day Event 5*, some top competitors in the field, and Sharon's preparation methods for the event.

Disclaimer: We record The Go Eventing Podcast early to allow time for editing, so we've added information about the venue allocation moving to Santa Anita above. 

Come find us at Kentucky! Join EN, Jon Holling, and Kyle Carter for our annual RideIQ Course Walk on Friday, April 25th at 4:30pm after the conclusion of dressage; take photos with the cardboard cutout of Allie Knowles at the World Equestrian Brands booth in the trade fair; snack on some Sentinel-provided charcuterie after cross-country concludes on Saturday, April 26th; and most importantly — Chase the Chinch!!

Get a sneak peek at our upcoming Mini Episode #02, coming out this Wednesday, April 23. Sally joins Kristyn Sturken, Equine Product Manager of the Sentinel Nutrition Team, who brings some incredible advice on how nutritionists assess horses for their dietary needs, what myriad of factors are considered, the difference in nutritional needs for Thoroughbreds vs. Warmbloods in eventing, how to properly weigh and measure feed, and so much more. If you have any nutritional questions about your horse or program, you will not want to miss this.

Sally asks Sharon to compare herself now to when she did her first 5*/Kentucky — what was her biggest struggle and how did she overcome it? Sharon shares her wisdom on how mental preparation is crucial for success in high-pressure environments, and discusses how self-improvement is a continuous journey for both riders and their horses.

After some wise advise on stubbornness and new 5* rides, Sally digs deep and uncovers some messy truths about Sharon and her "hoarding" habits, to include gifts, emails, facial products, and snacks. Did you know you can take avocados through airport security??

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Upcoming episodes and next co-host: co-commentator, USEF Selector, and 5* rider, Sinead Maynard!

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let’s make this your favorite tack-room listen.

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This is more than a sport — we're a community, and this week’s episode is a moving reminder of the resilience and unity that define it . 

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Kentucky Performance Products Horse Supplements, where The Horse That Matters to You Matters to Us.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 4?

Host Sally Spickard sits down with longtime eventing leader and passionate advocate Joanie Morris for a powerful conversation that touches on the past, present, and future of the sport. From discussing upcoming competitions to personal reflections on loss and healing, this honest and heartfelt journey through the many layers that make up our sport exemplifies the strength of the eventing community. 

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

Discussing Kentucky and Badminton entries; a recap on TerraNova, Galway, and Thoresby 4*s; a discussion on Thoresby's new frangible technology; Galway Downs nearly confirmed as LA2028 equestrian host site; and Toowoomba announced as Brisbane 2032 host site.

A powerful and emotional discussion on loss, grief, and honoring the legacies of those we've lost; the power of community support; and why open communication, shared experiences, and allowing space for grief matter more than ever.

Listener questions on Joanie's role as an event organizer, her biggest pet peeves, what she does to unplug, and how many unread texts she currently has on her phone.

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Upcoming episodes and next co-host: Sharon White! 

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts!

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to The Go Eventing Podcast, the official podcast of Eventing Nation! This is where eventing’s biggest stories, challenges, and triumphs come to life — mixed with humor, storytelling, and conversations that help bridge the gap between the everyday eventer and our industry's biggest names.

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Sentinel Horse Feed.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 3?

Host and Managing Editor Sally Spickard is joined by the ever-engaging Ema Klugman to break down recent competitions, the evolution of eventing, and what it takes to build a sustainable future for North American riders. From course design to horse ownership, this episode covers it all!

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

Recap on the Carolina International; update on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard; quick previews for the upcoming Galway Downs, Thoresby, and TerraNova 4* events; reviewing the Montelibretti 4*-L in Italy

[Carolina International 4*-S Fence 9]

Sally and Ema discuss Ema's recent published article on eventing in North America facing challenges in producing 5* horses.

The role of owners in supporting riders, a focus on long-term development, the importance of honesty and communication in horse syndication and ownership, and building trust with owners for long-term relationships.

The importance of nutrition for both horse and rider, balancing a professional riding career with a professional "real job", the difficulties with both, and what small things someone in similar circumstances can do to maintain the balance.

What does a typical day look like for Ema as she balances her full-time job as a law clerk?

What animal would Ema take cross country if not a horse?

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Upcoming episodes and next co-host: Joanie Morris 

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts!

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

Welcome to the first “mini” episode of The Go Eventing Podcast!

Throughout the season, we’ll be bringing you a few of these more traditional interview-style episodes to catch up with the fascinating and inspiring people with whom we cross paths. Stay tuned for more of these shorter interviews coming your way this year.

In this interview, which we’ve left unedited, you’ll meet Kareem Rosser, the author of “Crossing the Line” and “When You’re Ready”, two deeply personal memoirs that touch on Kareem’s background, his life with horses and involvement with the Work to Ride organization in Philadelphia, and his love for Lee Lee Jones. Lee Lee, step-daughter to U.S. eventer Phillip Dutton, is a former eventer who sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2016. Her injury and subsequent recovery is told from the perspective of Kareem, who was in a relationship with Lee Lee at the time of her accident.

Get out the tissues and get ready to be inspired listening to Kareem talk with such strength and vulnerability.

Learn more about Kareem and order your copies of his books at kareemrosser.com.

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to The Go Eventing Podcast, the official podcast of Eventing Nation! This is where eventing’s biggest stories, challenges, and triumphs come to life — mixed with humor, storytelling, and conversations that help bridge the gap between the everyday eventer and our industry's biggest names.

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Kentucky Performance Products Horse Supplements, where The Horse That Matters to You Matters to Us

🔎What’s Inside Episode 2?

Host and Managing Editor Sally Spickard teams up with eventing powerhouse Rebecca Braitling to dive into the latest happenings in the eventing world. From competition highlights to the future of eventing programs, this episode is packed with insights, advocacy, and a few fun surprises.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

Breaking down recent and upcoming events, standout performances, what leadership changes are on the horizon, and how they could impact riders at all levels.

Why youth programs are essential and how they’re shaping the future of the sport; how structured leadership and coaching development shape the experience for all riders; exploring pathways for adult riders to stay involved and continue progressing in the sport; and unique challenges and opportunities for West Coast riders and why advocacy is crucial.

Listener questions on eventing in Australia and all their scary creatures, advice for adult riders, stories from Bec's past, and Bec and Sally's favorite top horses.

"The 10X Rule" book

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Upcoming mini-episodes and next co-hosts.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts!

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

Welcome to the very first episode of The Go Eventing Podcast, the official podcast of Eventing Nation! This is where eventing’s biggest stories, challenges, and triumphs come to life — mixed with humor, storytelling, and conversations that help bridge the gap between the everyday eventer and our industry's biggest names.

This episode is brought to you with support from our title sponsor, Sentinel Horse Feed, Guardians of Equine Health. 

🔎What’s Inside Episode 1?

Host and Eventing Nation Managing Editor Sally Spickard kicks things off with the inimitable Will Faudree as our first co-host, setting the stage for a season filled with insightful discussions, laughter, and deep dives into the heart of eventing.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

News & Notes: Grand Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field

Will and Sally break down the upcoming eventing season, including the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field this weekend (February 28 - March 1). 

What’s shifting in eventing rules? Will recaps the FEI Eventing Open Forum and proposed format changes for LA28

What makes a course horse-friendly?

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

How on earth will Will top his Barbie-themed jog outfit this year at Kentucky? #heiskenough

[Mason's Favorite Song]

[Mason's Second Favorite Song]

Will's Barbie-themed Kentucky jog outfit from 2024:

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts.

01:12 - Introduction to the Go Eventing Podcast