USEA Podcast

What if improving your partnership with your horse started long before you ever stepped into the saddle? This week on the USEA Official Podcast, renowned horseman, author, and eventer Tik Maynard joins us to explore the power of groundwork and how it can transform the way we communicate with our horses. From everyday activities like grooming and leading to more advanced exercises, Maynard explains why groundwork isn't necessarily about adding more to your training schedule, but about becoming more thoughtful and present in the moments you already share with your horse. Drawing on his experiences competing at Road to the Horse and the lessons that inspired his latest book, Starting in the Middle, Maynard shares why focusing on the process rather than the outcome can lead to a more rewarding experience for both horse and rider. Plus, Maynard offers practical groundwork challenges that listeners can incorporate into their own routines, whether they're just getting started or looking to deepen an established partnership. From leading on an unfamiliar side to becoming more observant during grooming, this episode is full of insights and simple exercises designed to help riders build stronger connections with their horses, one thoughtful interaction at a time.

Eventing isn't only about moving up the levels. It's about finding the place in the sport that brings you and your horse joy. This week on the USEA Official Podcast, USEA Board of Governors members Erin Thompson and Allison Bailey join the show to celebrate grassroots and amateur eventing and discuss the addition of the new USEA Intro level, designed to provide an approachable entry point into recognized competition. Thompson and Bailey share what the new recognized Intro level looks, from 18-inch fences and walk-trot dressage to the opportunity for coaching during competition, and why providing a welcoming first experience can make such a difference for riders who are new to eventing or simply looking for a level where they feel comfortable. They also share stories that showcase the heart of the sport including a young rider completing his first recognized event to longtime volunteer Sarah Airhart making the leap from volunteering to competing herself. Plus, Thompson and Bailey offer advice for anyone considering their first recognized event, including finding a coach or support system, asking questions, and getting familiar with the USEA rulebook before competition day. Whether your goal is to tackle your first Intro cross-country course, volunteer at an event, or simply find a new way to be involved, this episode is a reminder that there is a place for everyone in eventing and every finish line is worth celebrating.

You asked, and five-star eventer Ariel Grald answered! This week on the USEA Official Podcast, Grald sits down to tackle listener questions about the horses, experiences, and lessons that have shaped her career. Fresh off a win in the USEA Open Intermediate Championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds with the exciting 8-year-old Obalix, Grald shares what makes the young horse so special and why his trip to the Kentucky Horse Park was carefully planned with an eye toward his future. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Grald reflects on the accident she suffered at Bromont in 2025 and the physical and mental challenges of returning to the saddle. She shares advice for young riders hoping to make a career in the sport, including why they should ride every horse they can and resist comparing their journey to someone else's, and offers insight into her individualized approach to producing horses and preparing them for competition. Plus, Grald looks back on one of the proudest moments of her career at the 2022 World Championships with Leamore Master Plan and shares how the horse who took her around the globe is enjoying his well-earned retirement. From championship wins and career-defining horses to lucky habits, listener questions, and lessons learned along the way, get to know Ariel Grald beyond the results in this week's episode of the USEA Official Podcast.

Every year, the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds produces stories that remind us why eventing is about so much more than the final leaderboard. This week on the USEA Podcast, AEC Starter Amateur Champion Amanda Gantz joins us to share the remarkable journey that brought her and her Connemara, Meg O'Pint, to the top of the podium at the Kentucky Horse Park. Amanda shares how her late mother helped her find Pint, why she knew almost immediately that the confident little gelding was something special, and how she produced him herself from a young horse into an AEC champion. Their championship, however, is only one chapter of Amanda’s story. A breast cancer survivor, Amanda opens up about the role horses and eventing played during some of the most difficult moments of her treatment and how Pint has helped her rediscover confidence in and out of the saddle. She also reflects on the signs that made her feel her mother was with them throughout their AEC weekend and the meaning behind the words she carries with her every time she rides: “the journey is the reward.” Stick around after Amanda’s story for a special segment with Marshall+Sterling’s VP of Equine Operations, Amy Dawm. She breaks down the ins and outs of equine insurance, discusses the coverage considerations that are especially important for event horse owners, and shares her top three tips for making informed decisions about protecting your equine partner.

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is finally upon us! The USEA Official Podcast heads behind the scenes of the 2026 AEC at the Kentucky Horse Park with co-organizer Mary Fike, course builder Mick Costello, and EEI's Competition Director Louise Gilliam. From more than 200 cross-country fences to hundreds of volunteers, the trio shares what it takes to bring one of the biggest weeks on the U.S. eventing calendar to life. They also share their best advice for competitors arriving in Kentucky, what makes the AEC experience special at every level, and a few stories from behind the scenes. Whether you're competing, volunteering, spectating, or following along from home, get ready for a week that celebrates the horses, people, and journeys that make eventing so special.