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Piper speaks with Sharon Decker about the new improvements happening at Tryon International. Elizabeth Ehrlich of Equine Elixirs talks about the most common challenges when relocating to horse show environments for extended periods of time. John Minoprio joins to talk about his upcoming book, Aachen Equestrian Beauty. Kerri Lake also joins to discuss how we can communicate and connect with our horses better. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Sharon Decker is President of Carolina Operations for Tryon Equestrian Partners, the owners of Tryon International. Sharon is managing development of Tryon International. In addition to the ongoing expansion of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, Sharon is spearheading the multi-use development of the 1600 acre Tryon Resort located in the Foothills of Western North Carolina. Sharon also oversees the day-to-day operations associated with running this organization which includes an extensive spring, summer and fall equestrian competition calendar and a year- round event schedule of entertainment and family fun. 
• Guest: Elizabeth Ehrlich is the founder and president of Equine Elixirs.  Her unique approach to creating all-natural, whole food based supplements that address a wide range of equine health needs has taken the supplement industry by storm over the last five years. Formerly an attorney in New York, Liz now spends her days focused on equine nutrition. 
• Guest: John Minoprio had a career in film distribution but it was photography, especially photography of horses, that has always been an interest. John has been involved in a number of equestrian films including Royal Four-in-Hand, based on the book Competition Carriage Driving by The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Queen and Her Ceremonial Horses about the Royal Mews. John produced the film Royal Stables Oman and the book that followed it about His Majesty The Sultan of Oman’s horses. John is the author of The Blue & Buff; Portrait of an English Hunt and Horses & Heroes; The Photography of John Minoprio and the upcoming book, Aachen Equestrian Beauty.
• Guest: From a very early age, Kerri Lake had an uncommon awareness of interspecies connection, and she was always trying to discover ways to re-establish a harmony between humanity and all living beings. While attending UC Davis, it. became clear that the veterinary track wasn’t going to be the best way for Kerri to use her gifts to help horses and their people have kinder, healthier lives together. For the past several decades, Kerri has developed tools and skills that guide people to have more clarity in their own intuitive nature and broaden their communication with horses and each other.
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard and Good Boy, Eddie

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Tonya Johnston, Mental Skills Coach speaks with top rider and trainer Halie Robinson and discusses three ways to help your trainer help you. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Tonya Johnston, Visit her Website, Facebook and buy her book Inside Your Ride 
• Guest: Growing up in southern California, Halie Robinson went from being a working student and top junior rider to becoming a top young professional who now owns and operates her own business, Huntridge, LLC. She has worked hard to achieve her goals on both coasts such as being Leading Lady Rider at Devon this year, winning the WCHR Developing Professional Final at Capital Challenge in 2023, winning the $50,000 Professional Equitation Challenge at Thermal, USET Finals West Coast as well as numerous derbies and championships.
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: LAURACEA, American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard, Good Boy, Eddie, Laurel Springs School, and Great American Insurance Group

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

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Piper speaks with two legendary horse women, Laura Kraut and Katie Prudent about the new nonprofit program, Road to the Top. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Laura Kraut is a world-renowned showjumping grand prix rider and trainer. She is an Olympic and World Equestrian Games gold and silver medalist who was most recently went double clear to help Team USA win the Silver Medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, France. Laura’s competition record is immense and she also runs a sales, training and coaching business based in England and Florida with her partner Nick Skelton. 
• Guest: Katie Prudent is a Olympic team member, three time American Invitational winner, USET Whitney Stone Cup winner, and a member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. A trainer of countless international level horses, Katie has also trained accomplished riders such as Olympic gold medal winner Beezie Madden, Olympian Reed Kessler, Kim Prince, Elise Haas, and Alison Firestone Robitaille.  With husband Henri, she operates Plain Bay Farm in Wellington, Florida and Middleburg, Virginia. 
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, LAURACEA, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows and Great American Insurance Group

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Piper speaks with top trainer Berry Porter about the upcoming indoor finals season. Jen Glass also joins to talk about this year's Capital Challenge Horse Show. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Berry Porter is the head trainer at Brookside Pine Farms in Conroe, Texas. Berry has developed many riders from the beginner level to the collegiate ranks to succeeding at the top levels of equestrian competition. Recognizing this is a sport that constantly evolves, Berry trains with some of the most respected and successful professionals in the industry, applying his skills as he personally competes at prominent venues across the country. Berry’s students have successfully competed at the FEI North American Young Riders competition, National Junior Hunter Finals, in International Hunter Derbies, at Medal Finals, and in Grand Prix’s.
• Guest: Jennifer Glass is the Executive Director of the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Jen has been an essential member of the Capital Challenge Horse Show since its inception, having helped her husband, Billy Glass, and co-founder and show manager Oliver Kennedy build the show from the ground up and is widely known for her welcoming smile while managing awards presentations. In addition to coordinating the extensive awards program, Jen oversees sponsor relations, event planning, VIP seating, and more throughout the year. Jen has been the Director of Awards at the Washington International Horse Show for 22 years and at the World Equestrian Center for 4 years. Her expertise ranges from awards, to sponsor coordination, to event planning, and she lends that experience to the USHJA Green Incentive, the International Hunter Derby Championships and the USHJA National Championships. In 2022, Jen was honored with the 2022 Vital Horse Show Staff Award by the USHJA. 
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, LAURACEA, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows, Great American Insurance Group and Cheval Press

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Piper speaks with Catie Staszak about her experience working the Paris Olympics as NBC’s Equestrian Data Analyst. Dani Waldman also joins to talk about her new role in the equestrian world. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Catie Staszak is a multimedia sports journalist, the CEO of Catie Staszak Media, Inc., and the color commentator and journalist for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League for the last seven seasons. At the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games, she was the lead equestrian researcher and statistician, supporting her goal of increasing the mainstream exposure of the equestrian sports. When she's not at work, she's caring for her two horses and pursuing the sport with her Zangersheide gelding, Bear. 
• Guest: Dani G. Waldman, also widely known as ‘Flying Feathers’, has over 30 years experience as a Showjumping athlete. Dani won multiple 5* Grand Prix competitions, competed in six senior championships and took part at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Having retired from active competitions, Dani is now a sports commentator, media producer and supports young athletes’ professional development. To this day, she continues to champion the sport of Show Jumping. 
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, LAURACEA, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows, and Great American Insurance Group

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Tonya Johnston, Mental Skills Coach speaks with Val Renihan, one of the country's top trainers. Tonya also discusses looking back on your defining moments as a rider as a way of claiming your best qualities and traits. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Tonya Johnston, Visit her Website, Facebook and buy her book Inside Your Ride 
• Guest: Val Renihan is the owner and head trainer at Findlay's Ridge LLC where she specializes in hunters, equitation and jumpers. Val has ridden and shown all of her life and started training students at the age of 16. Val has had success at virtually all of the top horse shows across the country and has had many riders who have gone on to have meaningful and decorated professional careers. 
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard, Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows, Sentinel Horse Nutrition, Laurel Springs School, and Great American Insurance Group

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Piper speaks with Maja Lindemann about how she approaches course designing and the process of becoming a course designer. Leigh Tricker also joins to talk about the education opportunities that HITS is offering to create a pipeline for equestrians to become licensed officials. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Maja Lindemann grew up riding and showing in California with the Karazissis family. She moved north to attend UC Davis and graduated with a BS in Animal Science. Maja became a professional horse trainer in 2005 and worked for a few operations in Northern California before opening her own business. In 2022, Maja was presented with the opportunity to course design at a local show and decided to get her license. Maja currently lives in New Jersey and course designs at top horse shows such as HITS Hudson Valley, New York and the Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship - West in Del Mar, California. 
• Guest: Leigh Gallagher Tricker is a lifelong equestrian and a marketing and project management consultant for HITS LLC. After graduating from The Johns Hopkins University in 2002, Leigh worked for a global macro hedge fund for more than 20 years before retiring in 2023 to pursue other interests. Leigh is also a USHJA Zone 1 Committee member and was recently elected to the USHJA Board of Directors.
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, LAURACEA, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows, and Great American Insurance Group

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Piper speaks with FEI level 3 course designer Meghan Rawlins about how to read and best understand what is being asked in a course map. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Meghan Rawlins started riding at a young age showing jumpers, eventing and hunters before beginning her professional equestrian career in 1993 continuing to apprenticing under top professionals such as Claudia Cojocar.  Meghan is the owner of Cedar Vista Stables in Victoria, British Columbia and is certified as both a licensed coach and EC & USEF course designer.  In 2022, Meghan earned her FEI level 3 course design certification.
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, LAURACEA, America Cryo, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows, and Great American Insurance Group

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Piper speaks with USEF "R" judge, FEI trainer & clinician Geoff Case about the Paris Olympics and the state of our sport. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.   

• Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
• Guest: Geoff Case is a rider, trainer and large “R” judge based in Ommen, Netherlands. As a rider, Geoff Case has represented the United States in International competitions. As a trainer, Geoff has had many students become Year End Hunter Champions, USET Finals Champions and many ribbons at Medal and Maclay Finals. Geoff is also a Large “R” judge that has officiated at most major horse shows including The National Horse Show, the Winter Equestrian Festival and he will be judging the West Coast Junior Hunter Finals and The Hampton Classic Horse Show this year. 
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• Sponsors: American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, LAURACEA, America Cryo, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows , Great American Insurance Group and Cheval Press

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail

Piper speaks with rider, trainer and USEF "R" judge Michael Tokaruk about judging and his experience judging the 2024 Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter Finals- West Coast in Del Mar, California. 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, Capital Challenge Horse Show and most recently the 2024 Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter Finals- West Coast in Del Mar, California. 
• Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
• Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse Magazine
• American Stalls, Purina Animal Nutrition, America Cryo, BoneKare, Show Strides Book Series, With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard. Good Boy, Eddie, HITS Horse Shows , Great American Insurance Group, LAURACEA and Equivisor

theplaidhorse.com

Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.

At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.

Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.

We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!