The Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Horse Lessons & Life Lessons | Ep 69 Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, we’re doing things a little differently — because before sitting down to record, Kelly and Alexis actually got in the ring together for a lesson with Hannah.

Alexis gets the ride on Ollie, Kelly gets back to jumping Sunny after a few quieter weeks, and what starts as a fun idea for the podcast quickly turns into a very real adult-amateur riding experience: missed distances, pushing the wrong buttons, figuring out a horse you don’t normally ride, getting in your own head… and yes, an unexpected dismount.

We talk about what happened in the lesson, why a very broke horse isn’t necessarily an easy horse, and how differently horses can react when we make mistakes. Kelly also shares some of her own struggles learning to ride Ollie, and why those imperfect moments have actually helped build her confidence with him over time.

There’s also a bigger conversation about why riding can be such an escape when life outside the barn feels heavy — because when you’re trying to get to the other side of a jump, there isn’t a whole lot of room in your brain for anything else.

Before all of that, Kelly shares what’s happening behind the scenes with her new equestrian business and branding Mastermind, why she wanted to create an educational space specifically for people working in the horse industry, and why she believes there’s so much misinformation around growing a business and personal brand online.

As always, there are plenty of tangents, laughs, horse stories, self-deprecating commentary, and two adult amateurs just trying to figure it all out.

🎧 From business and branding to missed distances and confidence in the saddle, this one is a little bit of everything — which feels pretty accurate for adult amateur life

Does Your Horse Still Want to Do Their Job? | Ep 68 Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

When does your horse stop loving their job — and how do you know when it’s time to listen?

This week on the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, Kelly and Alexis are back with one of those conversations that starts in one place and somehow ends up everywhere. 😂

We’re talking about horses, riding, confidence, and the questions adult amateurs eventually have to face: How do you know when you’re asking too much? When is it time to change the plan? And how much should your horse’s happiness factor into the decisions you make as a rider?

We also get a little personal about how much has changed since starting the podcast nearly two years ago — from being uncomfortable on camera and worrying about what everyone else thought to becoming a whole lot more comfortable simply showing up as ourselves.

As always, there are plenty of tangents, laughs, horse stories, questionable commentary, and the completely unfiltered conversations you’ve come to expect from us.

In this episode:
• Knowing when your horse may no longer want to do its job
• Listening to what our horses are telling us
• Horse showing, riding goals & adult amateur life
• Confidence and comparison in the equestrian world
• Becoming more comfortable putting yourself out there
• How much we’ve changed after nearly two years of podcasting
• And, naturally, plenty of completely unrelated side conversations

If you’re an adult amateur trying to figure out horses, riding, life, and everything that comes along with it — you’re in the right place.

🎧 Subscribe and join us every week for honest conversations about life in the horse world.

And tell us in the comments: How do YOU know when your horse is telling you they need something different?

Is Your Trainer Toxic — Or Are You? | Ep 67 Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Toxic trainers. It's the conversation flooding our DMs and the Adult Amateur Lounge — and this week we finally sat down and got into all of it.

We start where it usually starts: the line between business and friendship, and how completely this sport blurs it. Your trainer is your coach, your confidant, and the person you write a very large check to every month — so what happens when your feelings get involved, your horse gets involved, and you don't agree? We talk about why communication (early, honest, uncomfortable communication) fixes about 90% of it, and why trainers are stuck in an impossible spot: speak your truth, protect your client, and protect your business, all at the same time.

Then we get into the barn ecosystem — the teacher's-pet dynamic, everyone competing to be the favorite, and what happens when a trainer talks negatively about a client. Because your other clients are watching, and they will follow your lead. That's how the outcast thing starts. And if your trainer is saying it about her, she's saying it about you.

We also flip it, because this episode is not one-sided. Clients can absolutely be the toxic ones. Sometimes "my trainer is toxic" actually means "my trainer won't let me jump the three foot" — and a trainer telling you no is often a trainer protecting you, your horse, and her own reputation. We're both honest about being against barn hopping: the first hop might be a toxic trainer, but by the fifth barn, it might be you. Your horse suffers, your riding suffers, your reputation suffers.

And we get into the gray area we both actually live in: the amateur who has researched every single thing about her horse's nutrition and has to figure out how to say that to a professional who's been doing this for thirty years. Plus the honest trade-off nobody wants to hear — if you can't keep your horses at home and manage them yourself, you can't expect to check every single box at a boarding barn.

Our gut check for when it's time to go: if you get a pit in your stomach pulling into the barn, if you're anxious every single time, it's not worth it. That doesn't make your trainer bad. It doesn't make you bad. It just isn't the right fit — so leave respectfully, and do not burn the bridge. Kids happen. Divorce happens. Life happens. That barn could be exactly right for you again in five years.

Have you been in a toxic barn situation? We want to hear it. 👇

00:00 — Welcome back (and Kelly's very triggering breeches)
00:26 — Today's lineup: toxic trainers, loyalty, barn hopping
02:12 — What "toxic" actually looks like — and why it's so situational
03:39 — When you get too close to your trainer
06:14 — Communication fixes almost everything
07:07 — The trainer's impossible position
08:35 — When you and your trainer flat-out disagree
10:42 — Teacher's pets, barn gossip and the outcast effect
14:31 — Trainers hold real power (at every level)
15:12 — Leading by example: the barn that got it right
16:52 — Talking about clients behind their backs
19:39 — "It depends on the offense"
23:08 — All any amateur wants is to be treated equally
24:01 — Why we're both against barn hopping
25:12 — When your trainer says no — and she's right
27:15 — When the client is the toxic one
28:19 — The feed debate and the honest gray area
31:25 — Horses at home vs. horses at a barn
33:14 — The gut check: when it's time to go
34:38 — Leave on good terms. Don't burn the bridge.
36:01 — Send us your stories

🎧 New episodes weekly. Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss one.💬 Drop a comment: have you left a toxic barn situation? What was your final straw?👍 Like & share if this one hit a little too close to home.

#TheEquestrianAdultAmateur #EquestrianPodcast #ToxicTrainer #BarnLife #AdultAmateur #HunterJumper #HorseGirl #EquestrianLife #BarnDrama #HorseTrainer #ShowJumping #HorseWorld

Chapters

Is The Horse World A Battlefield? | Ep 68 Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Social media has changed the equestrian world—but has it actually made us better at communicating with each other?In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, Kelly and Alexis dive into the good, the bad, and the downright exhausting side of equestrian social media.

From viral clips and comment sections to influencer culture, unsolicited opinions, and conversations being taken completely out of context, we’re talking about what happens when the horse world goes online.We share some of our own experiences creating content, including the behind-the-scenes reality of shooting for the Equestrian Adult Amateur Collective, and talk about how quickly one photo, video, or short clip can become an entirely different story once it reaches social media.

We also get into the growing divide between different corners of the equestrian community—professionals versus amateurs, disciplines versus disciplines, different training philosophies, and the constant pressure to pick a side. Why does disagreement so often turn into personal attacks? And when did having a different opinion mean someone had to be “wrong”?

This conversation is about more than mean comments. It’s about **context, accountability, empathy, and the responsibility we all have in shaping the culture of the equestrian community online.**As always, expect plenty of side stories, laughs, strong opinions, and the candid conversations you’ve come to expect from us.

🎧 In this episode:

• Equestrian social media and influencer culture

• Viral clips and conversations taken out of context

• Online criticism vs. constructive conversation

• Adult amateurs and representation in the horse world

• Why equestrians are so quick to divide into “sides”

• The responsibility of both content creators and viewers

• Remembering there’s a real person behind the screen

Whether you create equestrian content, consume it, or have ever found yourself reading a comment section thinking, “How did we get here?”—this episode is for you.Follow, subscribe, and join the conversation. What do you think social media has done for the equestrian community—for better or worse?

Building Better Hunters w/ Katie Armstrong LIVE 🔴 | EP 67 Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

This episode dives into a conversation that started online and quickly sparked a much bigger discussion about horsemanship, training, genetics, and the relationship we have with our horses.

Katie shares how a life-changing rotational fall—and the loss of use of her left arm—completely shifted the way she approached horses and ultimately led her toward teaching better horsemanship. We talk about why giving horses more tools, confidence, and education can make them safer and happier partners, and why conversations around training methods can sometimes become so controversial.

We also revisit a recent viral clip and unpack some of the reactions surrounding it, including the debate over genetics versus training, the role riders and trainers play in a horse’s behavior, and why some behaviors may be managed or improved but never completely disappear.

From groundwork and emotional awareness to choosing the right horse for the rider in front of you, this conversation is ultimately about asking better questions, staying open-minded, and continuing to learn—for ourselves and for our horses.

It’s an honest conversation about the topics that aren’t always easy to talk about in the equestrian world, but probably need to be.

Horses Take Flight with Equijet | Ep 66 Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Ever wondered what it actually takes to fly a horse across the world?

In this episode, we sit down with Bastian Schroeder from EquiJet to talk all things international horse transportation. Bastian shares how his love for logistics turned into a career helping horses travel between Europe and the United States, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into getting a horse safely from one country to another.

We talk about the importing process, required paperwork, flights, designated airports, quarantine, costs, and how horses are cared for throughout their journey. Bastian also explains what goes into keeping horses comfortable while traveling and helps make a process that can seem incredibly intimidating feel a whole lot easier to understand.

Whether you've considered importing a horse from Europe or you've simply wondered how in the world horses travel on airplanes, this episode gives you a fascinating look at a side of the equestrian industry most of us don't get to see!

🐴From Europe to the U.S., we're talking horses, airplanes, quarantine, logistics, and everything in between.

We Need An Update | Ep 65 Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

In this fun and candid episode, we catch up on everything from life outside the barn to the latest happenings in the show ring. What starts as a lighthearted conversation about getting nails done quickly turns into a recap of a busy weekend at the horse show, where we celebrate a successful first big class, share memorable family moments, and laugh through the unexpected challenges that come with horse show life.

We also dive into the performances of our horses, discussing what went well in the ring, a few moments that raised questions, and how closely we pay attention to the small details that can tell us how our horses are feeling. From evaluating movement and conformation to preparing for the upcoming fall season, this episode is an honest look at the highs, lows, and constant learning that comes with owning and competing horses.

If you love authentic horse show conversations, behind-the-scenes updates, and the everyday realities of life with horses, this episode is for you! 🐴✨

Media, Leadership, and Community | Ellie Morris | Ep 64 Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Navigating the Future of the Horse Industry: Media, Leadership, and Community

Join Kelly and Ellie Morris as they discuss the evolving landscape of the horse world, touching on leadership transitions, the power of media in sport perception, and building a united community. This episode offers deep insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping our sport’s future.In this episode:

Ellie Morris’s journey from hunter jumper competitor to social media influencer and industry consultant
The impact of leadership changes in the US Equestrian Federation and what it means for members
The crucial role of media in shaping public perception and driving industry growth
Strategies for better sponsorship engagement through innovative media content
The community’s role in fostering industry transparency and constructive dialogue
The evolving culture of social media and its influence on rider development and industry reputation
Comparing international show costs and sponsorship models with those in North America
The importance of top-down leadership in cultivating a positive narrative and trust
Future hopes: increased collaboration, transparency, and growth in the horse community

Consider the importance of grassroots sponsorship strategies and branded media content for show series.
The industry’s future depends heavily on transparent leadership and community engagement.
International comparisons highlight potential models for lowering costs and increasing exposure.

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
00:36 - Ellie’s background in the equestrian industry
01:40 - Her recent return to riding and social media influence
02:48 - Growing up in Chicago’s hunter jumper world and cultural shifts
04:15 - The differences between East Coast and Southeast horse communities
05:12 - Junior career reflections and social media pressures today
06:08 - The evolution of horse show culture and family influences
07:30 - Transitioning from show riding to adult riding and industry challenges
09:39 - Ellie’s consulting career and balancing family life
10:38 - Her perspective on the upcoming US Equestrian Federation leadership search
11:37 - Media’s power and potential in transforming industry perceptions
13:05 - Industry transparency, accountability, and the role of social media
14:53 - Thoughts on the open CEO position and structural changes within the federation
16:17 - The importance of leadership with corporate experience and industry background
17:31 - The challenges of filling key executive roles and what candidates are needed
20:28 - The future of sponsorships, branding, and media strategies in equestrian sport
22:00 - Media’s role in increasing visibility and public engagement
24:43 - Building community buy-in before expanding media exposure
25:42 - The importance of positive narratives and top-down leadership vision
27:00 - Structure, costs, and organization of horse shows across North America and Europe
32:00 - The balancing act between affordability and industry standards
36:59 - The influence of media coverage and sponsorship on event success
39:00 - Community-driven conversations and industry transparency
40:39 - Making the sport more approachable for all ages and backgrounds
44:18 - International comparisons in show costs and sponsorship models
45:25 - Innovative sponsorship strategies through media integration
48:56 - The positive trajectory of industry change and leadership’s role in it
50:18 - Ellie’s hopes for the upcoming year and industry growth
51:37 - The importance of honest dialogue and industry unity
52:22 - Connecting with Ellie Morris and resources for further engagementResources & Links:Connect with Ellie Morris:Additional Notes:

Has Horse Showing Gotten Too Expensive? | Ep 63 Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Is horse showing becoming too expensive for the average adult amateur?

In this episode of The Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, Alexis and I dive into one of the biggest conversations happening in the equestrian world today: the rising cost of horse ownership and competition. From skyrocketing horse prices to training, boarding, travel, and show expenses, we explore how the sport has changed—and what that means for everyday riders trying to stay in the game.

We also discuss the pressure social media has created, the rise of luxury "Instabarns," and how privilege and financial resources can shape opportunities within the industry. Most importantly, we talk about how these challenges affect adult amateurs, why so many riders feel isolated, and how we can start having more honest conversations about making equestrian sport more accessible.

Whether you're showing locally, competing on the national circuit, or simply trying to make your horse budget work, this episode is for you.

In this episode we discuss:

Why horse showing has become dramatically more expensive
The true cost of owning, training, and competing with horses
How horse prices have changed over the last decade
The financial realities facing adult amateur riders
The impact of social media and "Instabarns"
Creative ways riders are making the sport more affordable
Why open conversations about money matter in the equestrian community

We'd love to hear from you! How has the cost of horse showing affected your journey? What tips or strategies have helped you stay in the sport? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you enjoy honest conversations about horses, horse showing, and life as an adult amateur, don't forget to like, subscribe, and join our growing equestrian community.

Building Better Hunters with Katie Armstrong | Ep 62 Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Are we giving young horses the foundation they actually need to succeed?

In this episode of The Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, we sit down with Katie Armstrong, founder of Building Better Hunters, to talk about one of the most important conversations happening in the hunter/jumper industry today: how we start young horses.Katie has dedicated her career to improving the way young horses are developed, believing that a horse's future is shaped long before it ever steps into the show ring. From building confidence and trust to establishing clear boundaries and safe handling practices, she shares why horsemanship—not shortcuts—is the key to creating successful hunter horses.

We also dive into the differences Katie has observed between imported and domestic horses, the importance of reading a horse's mind instead of just its movement, and why so many behavioral issues can be prevented with the right foundation. If you've ever wondered what separates a horse that's truly confident from one that's simply coping, this conversation is for you.

Whether you're an amateur rider, trainer, breeder, or simply passionate about better horsemanship, Katie's perspective offers valuable insight into developing horses that are happier, safer, and more successful throughout their careers.In this episode, we discuss:

* Katie Armstrong's philosophy behind Building Better Hunters

* Why foundation is everything when starting young horses

* Building confidence, trust, and respect from day one

* Preventing behavioral issues through better horsemanship

* The differences Katie has noticed between imported and domestic horses

* How to recognize when a horse feels overwhelmed or unsafe

* Why consistency creates confident, reliable hunter horses

* The future of young horse development in the hunter/jumper industry

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment with your thoughts. We'd love to hear what you think makes a great young horse and how we can continue improving the future of our sport.

#Equestrian #HunterJumper #KatieArmstrong #BuildingBetterHunters #YoungHorseTraining #HorseTraining #Horsemanship #HunterHorses #EquestrianPodcast #HorsePodcast #USEF #YoungHorses #HorseDevelopment #HorseRiding #EquestrianLife

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