Piper speaks with two of the 2025 ASPCA Maclay Finals judges- Robin Swinderman Mitchell and Jimmy Toon. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Robin Swinderman Mitchell is a trainer, rider and licensed USEF 'R" judge. At RSM Equestrian, LLC in Morriston, Florida, Robin specializes in the development of young horses and riders motivated to improve their skills and understanding their horse. Robin and her horses have been named champions at prestigious shows such as the National Horse Show, Capital Challenge, and Winter Equestrian Festival. 
• Guest: James “Jimmy” Toon is a trainer, rider and USEF R-rated judge. As the owner of JT Farm, Jimmy oversees the education of all the students and horses at the farm. Jimmy and his students have been champion or reserve at most major horse shows on the East Coast including The Pennsylvania National Horse Show, The Washington International Horse Show, The National Horse Show, The Devon Horse Show, and The Capital Challenge Horse Show. Always in demand as a judge, Jimmy has presided at horse shows from Florida to Oregon, California to Maine, and in Canada including The USEF Medal Finals, The ASPCA Maclay Finals, The New England Equitation Championships and many more.
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• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live studio audience at Oldfields School in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland with Anne Litz, Amy Phillips, Michelle Goodrich and Gabrielle Bernier.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Anne Litz is a Baltimore County native and has spent her life immersed in Maryland’s horse industry—from riding and showing as a student to building a career in equine journalism, photography, and advocacy. She joined the Maryland Horse Industry Board in 2019 and became the Executive Director in 2025. Anne is deeply connected to every facet of the industry and passionate about preserving its legacy and ensuring the next generation can experience the life lessons that horses provide. 
• Guest: Amy Phillips is the Director of Riding at Oldfields School, where she leads the equestrian program and co-created the school’s Equine Science Concentration. A USHJA Credentialed Instructor with 22 years at Oldfields, she coaches students in hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing while fostering teamwork, horsemanship, and confidence. Amy brings real-world opportunities to students through clinics, shows, and professional partnerships that help them grow as riders and leaders. 
•  Guest: Michelle Goodrich brings a wealth of experience to Oldfields as a scientist, competitor, lifelong learner, and horse owner. A co-creator of the school’s Equine Science Concentration and micro-credentials program, she combines scientific knowledge with hands-on equestrian expertise to give students a strong foundation in equine care and training. Admired for her energy, insight, and genuine care, Michelle inspires every rider to learn and grow with confidence. 
• Guest:  A proud Oldfields alumna from the Class of 2016, Gabrielle Bernier has built her life around her passion for horses. Her experience ranges from regional equitation finals and the 1.25 m jumpers to exercising horses at Pimlico and Saratoga. At Oldfields, she captained the IEA team and was a Pony Finals finalist. After riding for the Division I equestrian team at the College of Charleston, Gabby returned to Oldfields, where she now serves as Assistant Director of Riding and shares her expertise and knowledge with the next generation of equine professionals.
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Tonya Johnston, Mental Skills Coach speaks with professional rider and trainer for Heritage Farm, Laena Romond. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

• Host: Tonya Johnston, Visit her Website, Facebook and buy her book Inside Your Ride 
• Guest: Originally from Colchester, VT, Laena Romond grew up showing in equitation, junior hunters and junior jumpers under Fran, Joe and Annie Dotoli at Ox Ridge Hunt Club. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College—where she graduated cum laude in biochemistry— Laena also competed on the IHSA circuit. As a freshman, she won the prestigious USEF/Cacchione Cup. She joined the Heritage Farm team in 2007 and has played an integral role with her natural riding talent and training knowledge. Among her recent competitive highlights are being champion in the Green 3'6" and co-grand champion at the Washington International Horse Show as well as Green 3'6" champion at the National Horse Show.
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• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Sponsors: Purina, Great American Insurance Group and Windstar Cruises
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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live studio audience at Grier School in Birmingham, Pennsylvania with Kara Lawler, Chrystal Coffelt-Wood, Lindsay Shaw, Natalie Townsend, and Logan Faison.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Kara Lawler is the Head of School after serving as the Dean of Enrollment and Marketing, the English Department Chair, and the Assistant Director of Admissions over the course of her 19-year career at Grier. Kara brings 25 years of educational experience to the school, with a B.A. in English and an M.A.Ed. in Educational Leadership.
• Guest: Chrystal Coffelt-Wood started in the Fall of 2013 as the Director of Riding. She comes with over 30 years of professional experience in training horses and developing successful, competitive riders on the local and national level in hunters,  jumpers, equitation, and dressage. Her students have had much success with top ribbons at Pony Finals, USHJA Zone 2 Finals, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, USDF National Finals, USEF Festival of Champions, FEI North American Dressage Championships, IEA Nationals, USHJA Junior Jumper Championship, and the Devon Horse Show. 
•  Guest: Lindsay Shaw graduated from the Grier School in 2020, where she attended for 5 years and served as the Hunt Seat and Dressage captain for 3 years. She competed in USEF, USDF, and IEA competitions with the Grier School Equestrian Team. After graduation, she attended Emory & Henry University where she competed on their IDA and IHSA teams and earned accolades including Female Newcomer Athlete of the Year and a First Level Championship at IDA Nationals and contributed to a 2024 National Champion Team title. She now works at the Grier School as an Admissions and Marketing Associate and Assistant Director of Summer Camp. 
• Guest: Natalie Townsend is from Kempton, PA, and is a senior at the Grier School where she is in her fourth year. She serves as the captain of the Varsity Hunt Seat team and currently competes on the A circuit in the 3’3” Junior Hunter division with her personal horse, Exclusive.
•  Guest: Logan Faison is from Linville, VA, and is a junior at the Grier School and a member of the Varsity Hunt Seat and Western teams. Logan is going into her fourth year at Grier School where she serves as the Varsity Hunt Seat captain for two years. Logan shows both of her personal horses in the AQHA and NRHA circuits as well as many of Grier’s talented horses in USEF and USHJA show circuits.
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Piper speaks with professional show jumping rider and member of the Road to the Top program, Trent McGee. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Trent McGee is a 23-year-old rider from California. Trent received his first major riding opportunity at 16 when he was a working student for Archie Cox at Brookway Stables. Under Archie's mentorship, Trent transitioned into his first professional role where he went on to win and place in numerous Grand Prixs, placed 4th in the 2021 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West, and helped to earn a Team Medal at Prix des States for Zone 10. Trent's path toward representing Team USA became more clear through the newly established Road to the Top program. Through this program, Trent now trains and works with Katie and Henri Prudent at Plain Bay Farm, and continues to develop as a rider and professional in the sport.
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• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Sponsors: Purina, Great American Insurance Group, and Windstar Cruises
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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live studio audience at BTH Equestrians in Sloughhouse, California with guests Brittany Massey, Hilary Van Tatenhove, Dr. Kelly Miller-Jimenez, DVM and Hayley Johnson.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Brittany Massey is the owner and trainer at BTH Equestrians. Brittany has been training for 17 years with an emphasis on horsemanship. Brittany blends training techniques and traditional training models with new science, horse welfare, horse brain development and proper care of horses’ physical and emotional centers.
• Guest: Hilary Van Tatenhove has owned and developed Centered Equine Therapies for seven years. She specializes in Cranio Sacral Therapy, muscular therapy and equine emotional/physical balancing. She has a hands-on, non-invasive approach to helping horses reach optimal performance and health.
•  Guest: Dr. Kelly Miller-Jimenez, DVM is the owner of Select Equine Sports Medicine, formerly Granite Bay Equine. She is a California native who grew up competing in Hunters, Jumpers and eventing. She earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University. Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship at Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery in Weatherford, TX, where she gained extensive experience in sports medicine and surgery. She has a deep appreciation for both the western and English disciplines and her practice centers on performance horse care with an integrative, evidence-based approach.
• Guest: Hayley Johnson is a 2009 graduate of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School. Specializing in sporthorses and their performance, her applications range from traditional steel shoeing to today’s modern advances in farriery including glue on composites. Hayley thrives professionally while collaborating with training staff and their veterinarian teams to provide optimum care and an individualized approach in shoeing applications, no matter the competition level of the horse.
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• Sponsors: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, Great American Insurance Group, Virginia Horse Industry Board, Equine Affaire and Windstar Cruises
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Piper speaks with legendary show jumping rider Margie Engle. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Margie Engle is one of the most accomplished riders in U.S. history. She competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, won the team Silver Medal at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, and is a three-time Pan American Games medalist, with team Gold and individual Bronze Medals in 2003 and team Silver in 1999. She has ridden in almost 20 World Cup Finals and on numerous Nations Cup squads and has won over 200 Grand Prix including many of the nation’s and the world’s most prestigious events. Margie was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2020.
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• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Sponsors: Purina, Great American Insurance Group, Windstar Cruises and Virginia Horse Industry Board
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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live audience at Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta, GA with guests Cheryl Sims and Kelly Berry.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Cheryl Sims's involvement in the horse industry spans decades. Her love of the sport and passion for running horse shows was driven by her daughter Alison who grew up riding and is now an Atlanta area professional. Cheryl saw how much joy the horses and showing brought Alison and wanted to be able to see that same joy happen for more riders. For many years, Cheryl served as a show secretary and in 2003, she founded Cheryl & Co. Since then she has became an influential member of our sport in the southeast. She has served on the GHJA Board of Directors for many years and is responsible for much of the growth and development of our sport in Georgia. Cheryl is influential in working with the city of Alpharetta, and in 2018 she founded the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation, which will help benefit the renovation of Wills Park Equestrian Center.
• Guest: Kelly Berry is the visionary entrepreneur behind KB Media, recognized for its captivating visual storytelling. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and a passion for equestrian life, she expertly captures her clients' unique narratives while empowering them to achieve their business dreams. Driven by dedication and the wisdom gained from her four-legged partners, Kelly crafts stunning content that propels her clients' brands forward, making each project a testament to her unwavering commitment to their success. 
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• Sponsors: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, Great American Insurance Group, Virginia Horse Industry Board and Equine Affaire
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Piper speaks with Michael Tokaruk who recently judged the 2025 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Michael Tokaruk is a top rider, trainer and judge who also runs a training and sales business, Tokaruk Show Stables, out of Tennessee and Wellington, Florida. Michael worked with top professionals such as Scott Stewart, Missy Clark, Bob Braswell and Anne Kursinski as a junior rider. Michael has multiple grand prix wins, international and national hunter derby wins to his credit along with continuing his professional education by working with professionals such as Chris Kappler, Andre Dignelli, Katie Monahan-Prudent, and Melanie Smith Taylor. Michael has judged at some of the prestigious horse shows including the 2021 USET Talent Search Finals East, 2022 ASPCA Maclay Finals, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, the 2024 Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter Finals- West Coast, and most recently the 2025 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals.
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• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Sponsors: Purina, Great American Insurance Group and Virginia Horse Industry Board
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Welcome to The Plaidchat- an extension of The Plaidcast where we expand upon conversations in our sport and discuss the most recent issue of The Plaid Horse Magazine. Today, Piper speaks with the 2025 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals East winner, Eleanor Rudnicki.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Eleanor Rudnicki is a professional rider for Berry Porter at Brookside Pine Farms in Conroe, Texas. Eleanor has won numerous championships in the junior equitation and hunter finals and is now competing in the both the professional hunter and international jumper rings. Eleanor most recently won the 2025 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals East aboard Qwantreau. 
• Read the Latest Issue of The Plaid Horse Magazine
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• Sponsors: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, Virginia Horse Industry Board,  and Great American Insurance Group 
• Join us at an upcoming Plaidcast in Person live event!