In 2010 Mary was selected as one of 100 trainers to compete in the ‘Richest Wild Horse Competition’ in history, the inaugural Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover. 100 wild horses, partnered with 100 trainers, given 100 days to compete for $100,000. This competition marked not only the beginning of a growing platform from her ‘wins,’ but also changed her life from a place so deep within, that her entire view of ‘winning’ has been changed ever since.

Mary and her first wild horse made the top 20 in that first wild horse show and then went on to win a National TV Show called America’s Favorite Trail Horse. A show much like American Idol, but for horses that aired on HR-TV. This Mustang was then immortalized as a Breyer Model Horse, “Lindsay’s Faith” Model #1704.

Mary went on to compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover again, but this time she and her Mustang partner performed with no saddle and no bridle. That freestyle brought Mary’s wild Mustang winnings to over $50,000 and an invitation to share her wild Mustang gentling techniques with the entire world. Mary and her wild Mustang ‘Colors’ were featured on the National Geographic’s Nat Geo Wild series ‘Mustang Millionaire’.

Mary and her Mustangs have been proudly sponsored by national feed company, Triple Crown Nutrition, for over ten years. Mary’s Mustang partners are featured on the bags of Triple Crown Naturals Horse Feed.

Mary created a non-profit that would offer the gift that the horse had always given her: the gift of feeling worthy, just as we are. I AM HERD, is a Mustang Sanctuary that offers a safe space for wild and rescued horse and ponies in need, and shares that space of sanctuary with others. These Mustangs, they are the embodiment of sanctuary. Mary now travels with her ‘wildly gentle’ Mustangs to the backyards of schools connecting with children, to safe houses supporting women of domestic violence and inside the hallways of nursing homes. Bringing the gift of the horse to those that need it most.

I know you will enjoy getting to know this amazing woman!

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Jillian Whitlow is a trained Chef, Business Entrepreneur and horsewoman. She has some wonderful insights into how life changes as we mature and what life after horses looks like. I know you will relate!

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Meet Michelle Chason, Reiki Master and Animal Communicator. Michelle works with several rescues in the Florida area and does amazing work. I know you will enjoy meeting her.

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My name is Maggie Austin. I was born and raised in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. By the time I was 5 years old, I had my first horse and the love for horses never stopped. I worked my way through middle and high school cleaning barns to earn my keep and any chance that I had to be in the saddle, I was!

I went off to college in Virginia at Tidewater Community College, facing the fact that maybe the horse world would be a hobby instead of a living. I got into my second year, last class of a radiologist technician degree, thinking I would like that career because of photography - but found out quickly human anatomy was boring to me!

I had always dreamed of owning a guided touring business with horses on the beach since I had grown up doing that as a 10 year old for a local business here called equine adventures.

Everyone would tell me “make horses a hobby so your love never stops for them, don’t make it a business.” But I fought that deep down in my soul.

As life sorta carried me through a series of events, I went on to get my associates in social science to which I have never used but at least have a piece of paper, I guess! I told myself I would accomplish my dream of working out in Wyoming back in 2017. I worked as a wrangler for a beautiful dude ranch called Lost Creek Ranch for a season. On my third to last guided week there, I met two ladies that chose to have me as their guide for that week. During that week, I drew close to them and they asked me what my dreams were to which I replied “to have my own guided trail riding business back at home someday.”

As that week came to an end, they offered me a job, not at home, but out in Aiken, South Carolina at Stable View. I sorta laughed it off at first but went online the night they gave me their card and my jaw dropped. Anyone that knows Stable View, knows it’s a massive, beautiful facility for eventing. They asked me to come and start a guided trail business for them.

So when I left Wyoming, I went to South Carolina and began my job there. Things went well for a while but I received a phone call from home that my parents had purchased a piece of property and they thought in the future I may be able to do guided rides through the woods off of this property.

So, on a break I had from work, I took off and came home to see the property which is where I not only have my business now, I also reside.

My parents sold me the back half of the property as things sorta were falling through in South Carolina and I decided to come home and start building what I have now.

My trail didn’t work out with the park service so I quickly figured out that people would have to ride a short distance on the roadway to get to the beach so in order to do what I wanted, I needed people who had experience with horses to be able to ride this trek to the beach. As I grew up traveling with horses and staying places, my mind kicked started what I have now- which is a horse Airbnb where people can come and stay on site in one of our three cabins and also bring their horse to ride the beach! I started my business in September of 2021. Things have been smooth sailing and growing every step of the way. 2025 was my biggest year yet, having over 350 horses on my books. And going to 2026, I have that number already on the books, hoping each year will continue to grow. 

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Julia Carpenter and Bernie Harbarts recently sailed to Shackleford Banks to observe and study the wild horses that live there. Their insights into these horses behavior and survival are discussed in this episode. I know you will enjoy it!  
   Julia Carpenter  is the founder of The Two Step Way. The Two Step Way helps horse owners and caregivers learn how to be with their horses and how to really see them to promote connection, trust and health. Julia is interested in helping animals, particularly horses, heal from trauma and has studied intently with that goal in mind. She has coined the phrase and teaches the deep meaning of “See the being”. 

She grew up on a horse farm in Vermont and has been a licensed riding instructor and trainer working with racehorses, hunter jumpers, polo ponies and field hunters.

Julia has had a lifelong friendship and association, researching, training and caring for animals. She loves volunteering to help out animal rescues with her knowledge. She has a private practice helping people and their equines learn and benefit from her Two Step Way.

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Julia Carpenter is a horsewoman, trainer and partner of Bernie Harberts. They recently made a sailing excursion to Shackleford Banks to study the wild horses that live there. This is the story  of their journey.

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Lacey is the founder of The Horse Concierge, a platform built to help horse owners easily find and connect with trusted equine professionals.

"The idea came from my own experience navigating a 6-year complex care team for my heart horse, JD, who developed navicular disease. Trying to coordinate vets, farriers, bodyworkers, nutritionists, and other specialists across the country showed me how fragmented the industry is for horse owners. That experience ultimately led me to build The Horse Concierge."

Today the platform connects horse owners with providers across 49 states in the U.S. and includes features like horse profiles, care logs, trail discovery, and a growing provider directory of almost 4k pro's. Everything is designed around one idea: helping owners build and manage a trusted care team for their horses.

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Tauni Huddleston is a mustang trainer, competitor, and horsewoman based in Utah. Known for her thoughtful approach to horsemanship, Tauni focuses on building softness, trust, and communication before speed or performance. She has developed a reputation for taking on challenging horses, especially mustangs, and helping them reach their potential through patience, feel, and a deep respect for the horse.

Beyond the arena, Tauni is also the owner of Yellowstone’s Casanova Guided Tours, where she combines her passion for wildlife, the outdoors, and the western lifestyle. Whether she’s training horses, competing, or guiding in the mountains, Tauni is driven by a belief that great horsemanship is about connection, humility, and continually learning from the horse.

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Having her own personal horse stolen led Debi on a lifelong journey to help people whose horses are stolen to find them. Listen in to hear her amazing story.

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Mary McCashin is a third generation horsewoman from Mocksville, NC. Following the footsteps of her grandfather and father, Mary practically grew up in the barn aisle with her pony, Buttercup. 

Growing up she did hunters, jumpers, and dabbled in eventing. Ultimately, she found her way to the Buck Brannaman/Ray Hunt style of horsemanship after horse accident in 2012. She never looked back. 

Mary prides herself on being “for the horse” and helping them have a voice. She also specializes in trailer loading, young horses, and problem horses.

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