What's Your Why

Calling in from their home in California, I was able to chat with husband and wife team Traci Barmen Brooks and Carleton Brooks, (affectionately known as CB) of Balmoral Farm.

I could continue to rhyme off a list of their accolades, credentials, shiny stars, and awards, but I would really like to simply lead with…they are my friends.  I take such an extreme amount of pride in having the opportunity to say that without a second of hesitation.

Without getting too “real”, a few years ago, you may or may not know that I found myself in a very new and slightly overwhelming situation.  I was offered an opportunity to fulfill a contact in California on a yearly basis for about 10 weeks each winter.  It was such a wonderful opportunity and  I jumped at the chance, the only problem…I could count on one hand, with one digit how many people I knew and recognized there and when I arrived.

So now, insert Traci and CB.  They were without a doubt the most welcoming, calming, reassuring, friendly, motherly, fatherly, caring, the list goes on, people that made me feel immediately at home.  If I had a problem, a question or just needed some advice, I didn’t have to look further than their smiles to know I was ok.

So without making a long story long, I now don’t have enough digits or hands to count the endless friendships that I was able to form from fulfilling that role and I certainly have Traci and CB to thank for leading the way and welcoming me into their world.

Please enjoy my conversation with them both and I can assure you, that whether a horse person or not, you’ll most certainly find some relatable inspiration in this episode. 

Thanks for joining us again for another amazing episode of What’s your Why!

Today, I’d like to start with a question, things that make you go hmmm kind of idea……When you hear people described as “Salt of the Earth” or “Earth Angels”, I’m sure that many of you have people that immediately come to mind.  Who are they? People that you are close to that warrant the title and description.  Well, I am over the top excited to introduce you (indirectly of course) to two more, in hopes that you will gain as much as I did from meeting them.

Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta are quite simply just that – earth angels and I am so grateful that they were able to give me time in their increasingly busy schedules.

Apart from being successful horsemen in the Hunter/Jumper equestrian community, Danny and Ron set up an animal rescue in 2005, which stemmed from an immediate need to assist people and animals after Hurricane Katrina so tragically decimated New Orleans.  They have since been able to secure their rescue as a 501C3 and have subsequently starred alongside their furry friends in an original documentary appropriately named “Life in the Doghouse”.

We were given the opportunity to sit down with these amazing “Earth Angels” and discuss Their life in the Doghouse along with their passion for their extremely successful passion project, aptly named Danny and Ron’s Rescue. If I could ask for your time and attention of this episode, I can assure you that my guests will not disappoint and I hope you’ll find it as easy as I did to welcome them into your hearts and discover what Earth Angels can really look like.

Visit https://dannyronsrescue.org/ for more information or to support the rescue directly.

I first met my next guest about 10 years ago at a show in Thermal California. I was a newcomer, and he was a staple with a famous name that everyone knew.  I soon realized, that although his name is recognizable amongst many groups, across many generations, he is stand alone and stand out in his own right with a big personality and an even bigger heart. 

Whenever I felt like a fish out of water, he was always there to offer me insight, solutions, and support.  Never afraid to crack a joke to provoke a smile or open his arms to offer a hug, he is thoughtful, generous, and endearing.

Archibald Cox III, better known to everyone as simply Archie, has often referred to himself as being very fortunate.  He achieved much success as a young rider growing up in Long Island, NY surrounded by many famous equestrians that were better known as family friends. 

Upon receiving a degree in Political Science from Drew University, Archie continued his equestrian education, working and learning from some of the best in the biz.  In late 2000 he opened his own business, Brookway Stables and let’s just say the rest is history.

Some would say that Archie's famous name may have led to his fortune, but I definitely beg to differ.  Archibald Cox the third has found fame and fortune in spite of what his grandfather's name represents, and he deserves every accolade that he has worked so hard to achieve.

For the next 30 mins or so, I invite you to sit back and relax with AC3 and I, where fortune and fame might be the name of the game, but self-identity, and kindness is where it's at.

Let's get into it!

Hi everyone, thank you for choosing to join me for another episode of What’s Your Why. 

We wanted to bring an alternative feel to the table with our next guest and given his credentials in life, he brings just that.

With his tagline "Have Voice Will Travel", I marvel to think he even needs an introduction. 

Peter Doubleday has been a significant force in the broadcasting and equestrian industries for 40 plus years.  I am ever grateful that our paths crossed, dare I say it, about 20 years ago and I’m thankful for the knowledge and insight that crossing has afforded me in my personal and professional development.

I hazard a guess in saying that he has been the eyes and ears (as he puts it) at almost every major North American equestrian competition since he jumped in, in 1972.

From the smallest family-run operation to the most impressive events like the Olympic Games, Peter has played an impressive role in shaping and developing the broadcasting aspect of equestrian sport.  He creates a feeling like no other with his facts, figures, and delivery.  He brings a certain “je ne sais quoi” to every event he is involved with, where all you need to do is listen to feel right at home.

Peter's warm, inviting personality is a welcome relief at many of these events and if you know the Peter Doubleday that I know, he is always supportive and available to offer a helping hand if needed.

I hope you enjoy this time spent with Peter Doubleday as much as I did and thanks again for listening.

From coast to coast my guest in this episode has done it all!

Aside from being one of my closest friends, she’s also the epitome of kindness, strength, love, and light.  Horses are her passion; and education her goal with risk and reinvention being old hat tricks at this point. 

It came to my attention recently that there is a need for her story to come to the surface, and that there might be many people this conversation will resonate with.  If you are one of those people, take comfort in knowing that you aren’t the only one and that all your feels are warranted.

So without further delay, I bring you my friend, and hopefully yours, Lindsay Ransom, where her reinvention is the name of the game and fingers crossed if it's your game too, you might find clarity in what that looks like on the other side of What’s Your Why

Have you ever met someone that can hug you with their eyes?  Make you feel like you are the only person that matters right then and there and will ultimately be the very best part of your day?

I have, and I consider myself one of the lucky ones.

Bobbie Reber is an internationally recognized name in the equestrian world.  Through her life as a trainer extraordinaire and top-notch, sought after senior hunter and equitation judge.  She always exudes a friendly smile that will warm your heart, whether you know her or not. 

She has been pivotal for so many in shaping who they are and where they have gone in life. 

She has raised countless young riders by welcoming them into her own home to give them the very best possible experience with horses and I’m sure there are just as many parents that say a small prayer of thanks to Bobbie Too.

If you haven’t guessed yet, This episode celebrates the life of Bobbie Reber and all of the magical stories she has created and collected throughout it so far.  I am thrilled that she gave us her time and said yes to this interview. 

Today I am privileged to bring you the wonderful, charming and effervescent, Bobbie Reber.

Today we bring you Carrie Thomas, you may have seen her at places like a horse show or had the pleasure of working with her. For those of you who don't know her, she is an amazing person human and someone who I am honoured to call my friend. She is the owner-operator of her own company called Nimbus HR Solutions Group Inc. and has led a life full of change, progress, love and loss. She is one of the bravest, most resilient, funny, confident and authentic people I know.