WEQ Weekly

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WEQ Weekly is back for Season Three, brought to you by Educated Rider!

Maddy and Raegan are officially back for the 2026–27 NCEA season, and instead of jumping straight into the competition recap, they’re kicking things off by breaking down what changed over the summer and what it could mean for the season ahead.

From new coaching faces at TCU, SMU, UT Martin, Baylor, and Sewanee to new NCEA programs at Hollins and Washington and Lee, there’s a lot happening across college equestrian. Maddy and Raegan also break down the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility model, explain what recruits and families need to know about the changes, and discuss the Protect College Sports Act and its potential implications for college athletics and equestrian.

Then, it’s time to talk horses! The first two weeks of competition brought some big results, including South Dakota State’s upset over Baylor, TCU’s 16–2 season opener, Auburn’s dominant start, and standout individual performances from riders like Taylor Cawley and Hailey Hanson.

Plus, with TCU heading to South Carolina and several major matchups on the horizon, Maddy and Raegan look ahead at the early-season meets they’ll be watching closely.

New coaches, new programs, NCAA changes, early-season results, and everything we’re watching as the 2026–27 season gets underway—it’s all here on the first episode of Season Three of WEQ Weekly!

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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South Carolina Equestrian just won the 2026 NCEA National Championship and the story of how they got there is one of the best in collegiate equestrian.

This week, Raegan and Maddy sit down with Gamecocks head coach Carol Gwin — one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport. Gwin led SMU to back-to-back NCEA National Championships in 2023 and 2024, then returned to South Carolina in 2024 and immediately got to work. 

Last year: an SEC Championship. 

This year: a national title, clinched in a dramatic tiebreaker.

In this episode: a full recap of the 2026 NCEA National Championship, what it's like to win a title at two different programs, how Gwin rebuilt South Carolina into a contender, and what she's learned about building teams that compete when it matters most. 

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy kick things off by making their predictions for NCEA Nationals—breaking down matchups, seeding, and who they think will come out on top as the postseason begins.

Then, in this week’s featured interview, they sit down with Holly Hover, one of the most respected judges and professionals in the horse show industry. With decades of experience judging major events—including multiple appearances at Nationals—Holly brings a unique perspective on what truly separates top riders in the collegiate format.

From how judging NCEA Equestrian differs from the traditional show world, to what she looks for in high-pressure, head-to-head competition, Holly shares insight into catch riding, decision-making, and the small details that make a big difference in the arena.

From predictions to behind-the-scenes perspective from one of the industry’s most experienced judges, this episode covers everything you need to know heading into Nationals.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down the final rankings and seeding ahead of Nationals, along with a full recap of the Dual Discipline Conference Championships, where top programs made their final statements before postseason competition.

Then, in this week’s featured interview, they sit down with Phillip Williamson, Director of Equestrian at the University of Lynchburg, whose program has quickly risen to national prominence.

Fresh off Lynchburg’s third consecutive ODAC Championship, Williamson shares insight into building a championship-caliber program, developing team culture, and preparing riders for the intensity of postseason competition. The conversation dives into the differences between IHSA and NCEA formats, how recruiting works at the Division III level, and what truly makes a rider stand out.

They also explore the future of collegiate equestrian and what’s next for the sport as it continues to grow across divisions.

From postseason breakdowns to behind-the-scenes insight from one of the sport’s top coaches, this episode covers everything you need to know heading into Nationals.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down the start of postseason action with the ODAC and ECAC Single Discipline Conference Championships, highlighting key results, standout performances, and what it means as teams shift their focus toward Nationals.

Then, sport psychology consultant Mario Soto rejoins us for a timely conversation ahead of postseason competition.

The discussion dives into the mental side of collegiate equestrian — from handling high-pressure moments and staying present when everything is on the line, to bouncing back from mistakes mid-ride and understanding what true confidence and consistency look like. They also explore the unique challenges of the NCEA format, including competing on unfamiliar horses, balancing individual performance within a team environment, and navigating the mental demands of college riding.

Whether you’re currently competing, going through the recruiting process, or preparing for collegiate equestrian, this episode is packed with practical tools and insights to help you perform at your best when it matters most.

Listen in for an honest conversation and take away tools you can use for success!

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down the final Dual Discipline rankings as teams officially shift their focus toward conference championships and the postseason. With Week Six marking the final stretch of regular-season competition, they recap key results and what the latest momentum means heading into championship season.

Then they sit down with Baylor head coach Casie Maxwell. From her time as a national championship rider at Texas A&M to leading programs at Kansas State and Baylor, Maxwell shares her perspective on the evolution of the NCEA and what sets Baylor apart.

The conversation also dives into recruiting at the Division I level, what coaches are really looking for in athletes, and how collegiate equestrian continues to grow. Plus, Maxwell reflects on defining moments in her career and what she’s most excited about for the future of Baylor equestrian and the sport as a whole.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy recap Week Five of NCEA spring competition, breaking down key results across both Dual and Single Discipline meets and the latest Selection Committee rankings as the postseason approaches.

Then, in this week’s interview, they sit down with Olympic equestrian performance coach Mikerlange “Mike” Barthelemy, founder of Limitless Performance. Mike shares how a career-changing injury led him into strength training, how he discovered equestrian sport, and why rider fitness is becoming increasingly important from the Olympic level all the way to collegiate programs.

The conversation also explores the stigma around strength training in riding, what college equestrians are facing when they enter Division I strength programs, and practical advice for young riders looking to build strength and improve performance in the saddle.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down Week Four of NCEA spring competition, where five meets delivered statement wins, key upsets, and momentum shifts heading into the final stretch of the regular season. 

Then, in this week’s Beyond the Roster segment, they sit down with South Carolina standouts Camden Kitchens and Alexis Potts. The juniors reflect on back-to-back wins over No. 1 teams, the evolution of the Gamecock program, and what it’s like competing with a target on their backs as defending conference champions.

The conversation also dives into recruiting journeys, the truth about transferring, balancing demanding majors with elite competition, and the reality of life as a Gamecock student-athlete.

From ranked wins to day-in-the-life insight, this episode covers the full picture of what it takes to compete — and thrive — in collegiate equestrian.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down Week Three of NCEA spring competition — and it was a weekend that truly shook things up. With five meets featuring ranked matchups, revenge wins, and statement performances, several results directly reshaped the Selection Committee rankings released this week.

The hosts dive into the biggest storylines, including major upsets, dominant home performances, and what the latest rankings mean as postseason positioning starts to take shape.

Plus, they go Beyond The Roster with Bridgewater’s Margarita Trukhina, who shares her journey to collegiate equestrian as an international student-athlete. From navigating the recruiting process overseas to adjusting to life in the U.S. and balancing academics with competition, Margarita offers insight and perspective for riders dreaming of competing at the collegiate level.

Spring momentum is building, rankings are tightening, and the road to championships is getting clearer — tune in for all of it.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down Week 2 of NCEA spring competition as teams continue their push through the heart of the season and rankings begin to tighten across the board.

The hosts are also joined by Texas A&M assistant coach and Director of Operations Ruth Sorrel for a conversation spanning nearly two decades in collegiate equestrian. From her time as a student-athlete to coaching national championship programs and helping guide recruits through the evolving college landscape, Sorrel shares insight into how the sport has grown, what programs value in today’s riders, and how Texas A&M continues to build its competitive culture.

With spring competition heating up and postseason picture slowly taking shape, this episode blends results, insight, and perspective from one of the sport’s most experienced voices.

We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us!

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