Fit for Halter Podcast

What do you do when life throws you a curveball and the path you’ve been on isn’t possible anymore? This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Subrina Hobart, whose journey in the show pen took an inspiring turn. Subrina started out in the pleasure arena, but when health challenges made riding unsafe, she wasn’t ready to give up her love of horses or showing. Instead, she discovered a brand-new passion in the halter pen.  In this episode, Subrina opens up about: 💫 Her first steps into the paint horse world 💫 The challenges that made her step out of the saddle 💫 How she found joy, community, and competition through halter 💫 The horses and family moments that continue to inspire her

This week on the podcast, we meet the team from Iron Horse Ranch —a powerhouse in breeding, training, and showing halter horses.   Tawni Jones Ledbetter and her team share what it takes to manage over 127 horses, build a successful show program, and—most importantly—create a ranch culture rooted in teamwork, trust, and shared meals around the table.   From early mornings and long days in the barn, to celebrating wins (and each other) in and out of the show pen, this episode is a reminder that true success is about more than trophies—it's about the people and horses who make it all possible. Hear the story behind Iron Horse Ranch, their approach to halter horses, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Decades in the halter horse industry. A once-in-a-lifetime horse that sparked a world-class breeding program. Countless champions, memories, and lessons learned along the way.   In this episode, Kathy Pettit shares her remarkable journey — from saving for her first horse as a determined 17-year-old, to working with some of the most influential trainers in the business, to raising and showing horses that have left their mark in the arena.   ✨ Kathy’s story is one of grit, passion, and vision — and right now, she’s gearing up to head to the World Show with one of the very best she’s ever raised.   You won’t want to miss her wisdom, her stories, and her love for this sport.   Watch on YouTube  https://youtu.be/6jZZmJub0MY?si=pTuWa20WnfFvu4iZ

Behind every winning halter horse program is someone making sure everything runs like clockwork. In this week’s episode, meet Natasha “Tosh” Bothwell — the right hand to top halter trainer Andy Staton. From sunrise feedings to late-night prep, Tosh shares what it’s really like to work 12–15 hour days at major shows like Congress and the World Show. Hear how Tosh keeps a top program running smoothly at the shows while staying passionate about the halter horse world. We talk about: ✨ The reality of life as a trainer’s assistant ✨ Balancing horse care, client service & show schedules ✨ Why the behind-the-scenes role is her dream job  

This week on the podcast, we’re heading to Australia to meet Melissa Eeles — a respected amateur halter horse exhibitor, breeder, and program builder with a passion for confirmation and class. From working at the largest equine hospital in the Southern Hemisphere to preserving legendary bloodlines like Statutory and Mighty Awesome, Melissa shares her journey, her breeding goals, and what it’s really like to raise and show halter horses across Australia’s vast and challenging landscape. ✅ How Melissa’s early mentors shaped her halter career ✅ The traits she prioritizes in breeding top-tier horses ✅ The unique challenges (and perks!) of showing in Australia ✅ Her perspective on bloodlines old and new

Meet Ami & Kendall Bennett — a dynamic mother-daughter team who share not just their halter horses, but the road trips, early mornings, late nights, and the heart and hustle that come with this sport. From Ami’s first halter horse to their current string of champions, their story is one of family teamwork, passion, and balance. You’ll hear how they choose horses with the perfect temperament for kids, the special backstory behind their world show yearling, and how even their riding horse with “quirks” has a place in the show lineup. * How they got started in halter horses * What it’s like to share horses across generations * Selecting the right trainer-student combo * The sweet, behind-the-scenes stories of their 2025 show string * Tips for making showing a true family affair

Meet Aynslee Gavey: founder of The Arena Admin, a virtual assistant service tailored specifically for horse business owners and western entrepreneurs. Running a business in this world takes grit, hustle, and a whole lot of heart — and The Arena Admin is all about taking the weight of the administrative chaos off your shoulders so you can focus on doing what you do best. Aynslee has created a business that understands the lifestyle and the workload of equine professionals. Learn more about: 🔹 How her passion for horses + business mindset led to The Arena Admin 🔹 Why most horse pros need a VA (even if just for an hour) 🔹 The kinds of tasks she takes off your plate 🔹 What makes equine-specific support different  

This week, we sit down with Kathy Smallwood of Kathy Smallwood Quarter Horses — a renowned breeder and trainer whose halter babies shine in the pen and leave a lasting legacy. Hear how Kathy’s passion began at a very young age, how she evolved her program through decades of dedication, and how she’s preparing the next generation of champions for the fall futurities. We talk daily prep, confidence-building in young horses, breeding insights, and what it really takes to peak at the right time. Whether you're raising your first foal or fine-tuning your show calendar, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

This week we’re shifting from the show pen to the camera lens to explore the artistry behind great equine photography. Whether it’s an ad, horse and rider sessions, horse show candids or those amazing black background shots, guest Brittany Callahan of Brittany Callahan Photography plays a huge role in how our horses are seen and remembered. Tune in as Brittany shares: *Her journey from the show pen to the photography world *How she captures a horse’s true personality *The gear she swears by *Tips for preparing your halter horse for a photo shoot *Plus a few wild behind-the-scenes moments you won't want to miss Find her on Facebook here!

What if you could connect your tail extension in seconds or use the same tail extension for more than one horse?  This week we’re joined by RJ Tail Designs, the creators of a revolutionary quick connect tail system for show horses.  This little detail makes a big difference in the show pen.  They created a system that saves time and protects your horse's real tail on those long show days while still accomplishing the full and beautiful tail we’re looking for in the pen.  We look at how it works and why it’s a game-changer for trainers and amateur exhibitors.

What happens when passion turns into profession? On this week’s Fit for Halter Podcast, we’re joined by two rising stars in the halter world who just made a major move—turning in their amateur cards to step into the ring as professional trainers. Leighton Wetzel of WC Show Horses and Logan Lorenz of Lorenz Quarter Horses share their journey and give us a glimpse of the next generation of leaders in the halter industry. We’re talking about what pushed them to take the leap, what life as a new trainer really looks like, and the lessons they’ve learned on the business side of the barn. 💥 Bonus: Dalton Collins joins the conversation and asks the questions other amateurs are wondering too.

Have you ever wished you could search, filter, and compare breeding stallions based on what your mare really needs—from height and bloodlines to color genetics and more? This week, we're talking to the brilliant mind who made that possible. Meet Natashya Vince, the founder of Stallion Compare—a powerful, data-driven platform created out of her own curiosity and passion. With a background in web design and a love for horses, she built the ultimate tool for mare owners to make informed breeding decisions. From detailed genetic panels and four-generation pedigrees to robust filtering by breed, location, and discipline—Stallion Compare is changing the way we select stallions. Natashya shares her journey, her vision, and how this platform levels the playing field for ALL stallions, not just the famous ones. www.stallioncompare.com

If you’ve ever struggled to find a pair of jeans that truly fits and functions when you’re riding, you’re going to love this episode. We sat down with Whitney Lloyd, founder of MarkWest Denim, to talk about the jeans she couldn’t find — so she made them herself. After years in the saddle and just as many years frustrated with the options on the market, Whitney set out to design the perfect pair of riding jeans for women. No fashion background — just horse sense, grit, and an eye for detail. The result? Eight rounds of saddle-tested prototypes and performance features made with real cowgirls in mind.  From a hidden, secure phone pocket to the flattering fit that still works after a full day of showing, Whitney is solving the problems no one else was. www.markwestdenim.com

From show pen to stitch line, we’re talking all things custom cowboy hats with the talented Heather Werkema Smith of Initial Impressions by HWS! Heather joins us to share how her lifelong love of horses, shaped by her amazing family, led her on a winding journey through the show world—and ultimately into the art of designing one-of-a-kind cowboy hats. What started as a side hustle has become a thriving business built on bold creativity, precise craftsmanship, and a passion for helping people express themselves through custom hats. Hear how Initial Impressions by HWS helped fund her family's showing dreams, how she blends tradition with trend, and what truly makes a cowboy hat yours. This episode is packed with information for Western fashion lovers, horse show families, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of turning their side hustle into something beautiful.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Ashley Koeller of MJK Quarter Horses—a trusted name in horse transportation from coast to coast. Ashley shares how she and her husband Mike built a business and team of drivers rooted in care, communication, and commitment to the horses in their trailer. We dive into what it takes to earn trust in the hauling world, logistics, gear, and emergency prep, stories from the road and life on the move, and tips for prepping your horse for a smooth haul.  

In this episode, we dive into the recent AQHA rule changes that are making an impact—especially for halter exhibitors. Joined by AQHA leaders Scott Newman and Sydney Reynolds, along with industry advocate Kelley Wainscott, they break down what these updates mean, why they’re happening, and how they impact the leveling and competition structure. This episode gives you the clarity you need straight from the source. From the goals of the leveling program to the exciting new incentives—like cash awards for top World Show finishers—this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Hear how these changes are shaping the future of halter classes and helping more exhibitors find their place in the pen. Kelley Wainscott brings valuable perspective from her work on AQHA’s Show Committee, shedding light on how these changes aim to give more people a fair shot in the ring.  With the halter division often serving as a gateway into the show world, these updates are about inclusivity, progression, and helping every exhibitor find their path to success. Find more information at: www.aqha.com

LK Tack Shop has been a staple in the Chicagoland area for 36 years.  We get to meet the mother-daughter team, Kim and Karli Franklin, who own and operate LK Tack Shop in Monee, Illinois.  They stock boots, supplies, tack, supplements, blankets, and the latest in Western fashion.  They like to say "if we don't have it, you don't need it"! We discuss the ins and outs of running a family business and how the shop has created a community for local equestrians.  They talk about their favorite products and best sellers along with how to care for your show halter. www.lktack.com 

Kelly Chapman took time at a recent show to share her insight as a trainer, judge, and lifelong horse woman.  She's been an APHA professional horsewoman for more than 30 years, holds multiple judges cards, and was named the Paint Professional Horsewoman of the year in 2018.  Kelly and her husband Rob operate Chapman Horse and Livestock, they have 2 children, and she enjoys the traveling that comes with being a judge.  Kelly shares her training philosophy and how she works with her clients to improve showring presence and confidence.  We dig into her experience as APHA Immediate Past President and her perspective on the future of the halter division.  Listen to learn more about her confidence in APHA as a business leader in the stock horse industry.

In this crossover episode, we meet JJ and Jamie Ross, better known as the "Ross twins".  They are consistently at the top of the APHA Honor Roll with their all-around geldings, Call Me a Cowboy and DaddySleepsToMuch.  These twin sisters travel together, have distinct roles when they hit the show grounds, and finish each others sentences.   JJ and Jamie explain their weekly rhythms and the discipline required to stay in shape. They share their grooming tips, workouts, travel habits and a few tips for other DIY amateurs.  They share dozens of transferrable tips for the halter pen. This is an episode of firsts for Fit for Halter: our first in-person interview, first recording at a show (it's a bit noisy!) and first performance guests.  Thanks for joining this community!

In this episode I’m joined by Maryann and Alex, the owners and founders of Lonestar Nurse Mares, a unique business that provides nurse mares—surrogate mothers—to orphaned foals in need. When a young horse loses its mother, survival can be uncertain. That’s where Lonestar steps in, offering not just a lifeline, but a nurturing connection that can mean the difference between life and loss. We talk about how this work started, the challenges and ethics around nurse mare programs, and the incredible moments that come from uniting mares and foals in such a vital way. Contact information 24/7 - 814.282.0831 or cocolinqh@gmail.com