Welcome to Episode 20 of The Trainer’s Wife!
It’s a milestone episode for the podcast—and it arrives at the perfect moment for our guest, Nina Hammerness, wife of NRCHA professional Luke Hammerness. Luke wrapped up 2025 as not only a two-time Intermediate Open Finalist at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, but this year he also earned a spot in the Open Finals.

With just over $120,000 in NRCHA earnings, Luke is steadily becoming a consistent finalist at NRCHA premier events. In this episode, Nina shares the stories that shaped their journey—stories of their life, their business, and the goals that keep them moving forward. Hard work is at the core of Hammerness Performance Horses, which comes as no surprise to anyone who knows them. But it’s Nina’s openness and vulnerability—especially as she talks about her deep and uncommon bond with animals—that may leave you feeling even more connected to this couple.

The Trainer’s Wife is a podcast dedicated to celebrating the wives, and on occasion the husbands, of horse trainer’s in the western equine industry. For 35 years I’ve watched talented, successful, brave, beautiful women pour themselves into their husbands careers.These women not only manage and build his business, they manage and build their own as well, sometimes while trying to train and show horses themselves. Whether they are cheering for him from the stands, the back gate, their computer screen at work, or the kids basketball game, they rarely miss one of his go’s at a show. And when he’s done they have the ultimate task of supporting him with empathy, love and acceptance. They have to find the right words to fit each run, learn how to respond and not react, know when and how to offer constructive criticism or just sit in the quiet and let it be. This podcast is about exploring not only what these women bring to complex relationships, but how they continue to be strong, resilient and independent while not losing themselves or being swallowed by their husbands careers.

Show Notes:

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https://www.facebook.com/HammerTimeHorses/mentions

Check out The Jennifer Journals:

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