The Elevated Equestrian

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian podcast, Samantha Baer sits down with Inga Wolframm, Professor of Sustainable Equestrianism, to uncover the hidden biases in dressage judging. From eye-tracking research to AI-assisted scoring, they dive into the future of equestrian sports, sustainable horse training, and why flashy movement gets rewarded over correct biomechanics. Don't miss this deep dive into the biggest judging controversy in horse sport!

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with horse trainer, author, and filmmaker Elsa Sinclair to ask the uncomfortable question that changed her entire approach to horses: do horses actually want to be ridden—if they truly had a choice? What starts as a simple question quickly opens the door to a radically different way of thinking about training, consent, and partnership.We talk about what it really means to train from the horse’s point of view, including Elsa’s decision to start a mustang without a halter, without food rewards, and without trapping or forcing participation. She shares how prioritizing the horse’s sensory and emotional systems—not just physical training—completely reshaped her understanding of motivation, cooperation, and trust.This conversation dives deep into sensory-based and emotional training, the peak-end rule and how horses form memories, and why many “problem behaviors” are actually patterns we unintentionally train into our horses. We also explore how these ideas apply to sport horses, especially sensitive, expressive horses who struggle with anxiety, explosiveness, or shutdown in high-pressure environments.If you’ve ever questioned where the line is between consent and compliance, or felt stuck between wanting partnership and needing results, this episode will challenge you—in the best way.👉 Subscribe to The Elevated Equestrian wherever you listen to podcasts for more honest conversations about horsemanship, performance, and putting the horse first without losing the joy of the sport.

When a horse is labeled “metabolic,” it often feels like the end of the conversation. In this episode, I’m joined by Alison Lepanto, founder of Cataract Nutrition, to challenge that assumption and explore what may actually be driving inflammation, behavioral changes, and metabolic red flags in horses.We unpack the difference between sugar management and toxic load, what GMO and herbicide exposure really means for equine health, and how nutrient density is lost from many modern feeds and pastures. We also discuss why some horses seem constantly hungry despite being fed “enough,” and how chronic inflammation can show up as both physical and behavioral symptoms.The conversation expands into pasture biology, rotational grazing, and hay diversity, including practical strategies for horses on dry lots, stall rest, or limited turnout. Alison shares accessible management approaches that support soil health, gut health, and long-term resilience without turning horse ownership into an all-or-nothing system.If you’ve ever felt like something is off with your horse but couldn’t quite explain it, this episode offers a new lens on longevity, welfare, and thriving—not just surviving. Follow The Elevated Equestrian and subscribe so you don’t miss future horse-first conversations.

Starting a young horse will expose your nervous system faster than any training issue ever could. In this episode, I sit down with Gabi Neurohr of Understanding Horses to talk about emotional regulation—why it matters, how horses mirror it, and what happens when we lose it under pressure. We dive into what it actually means to be a steady leader for a young horse, how to tell the difference between a horse that feels safe versus one that is simply compliant, and why spooking isn’t the problem—poor recovery is. Gabi shares her relationship-based approach to starting young horses, including how she uses clarity, timing, and emotional fitness instead of force, how to avoid getting stuck chasing perfection, and why slowing down often leads to faster progress. If you’re bringing along a young horse, rebuilding trust, or trying to stay calm when things get unpredictable, this conversation will shift how you think about training and leadership. 👉🏼 Follow The Elevated Equestrian on Spotify so you don’t miss future conversations on ethical horsemanship, rider mindset, and building better partnerships with our horses.

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha sits down with Jessica Howell — a licensed Thoroughbred trainer who is quietly rewriting the rules of racehorse development from the inside out.Jessica didn’t come up through the traditional racing pipeline. She came from eventing, classical dressage, and a background in producing sound, educated horses. And when she stepped into the racetrack world, she brought all of that with her — heart-rate-based conditioning, periodized programming, biomechanics, turnout, mental health days, and a level of horsemanship most people don’t associate with racing.Together, we dive into how racehorses are actually trained, why so many break down, and what a more thoughtful, horse-centric approach could look like. Jessica explains the structure of racehorse conditioning, the hidden costs of claiming races, the difference between American and European systems, and how classical principles can transform a horse coming off (or preparing for) the track.This conversation challenges assumptions, opens doors into a closed world, and paints a picture of what’s possible when responsibility, science, and real horsemanship drive the training process — even in a high-speed, high-pressure sport.If you care about soundness, welfare, and the future of the Thoroughbred, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.👉 If you enjoy this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves horses. It helps the podcast reach more riders who care about doing things better.

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Swiss Olympian and 5★ rider Felix Vogg joins me for a genuinely honest conversation about what it takes to stay competitive in one of the toughest sports in the world. We dig into the mental side of elite eventing—how he processes setbacks, why he doesn’t let failure freeze him, and what actually went through his mind after a heartbreaking fall at Badminton. Felix opens up about how he rebuilt, how he kept believing in his horses, and how that approach ultimately led to major wins at Maryland and Petroni later in the season.We talk about the years-long foundation behind a top event horse, why he rarely buys anything older than seven, and how individualized fitness and slow, patient development shape the longevity of a career. Felix shares why downsizing his string was one of the smartest decisions he’s made, how still grooming and handling his horses himself deepens their trust, and why understanding a horse on the ground matters just as much as riding them well. He also speaks candidly about the realities of running a high-performance program without endless owners or resources, and how that has shaped both his horsemanship and his mindset.If you’re interested in 5★ eventing, long-term horse development, the psychology of elite athletes, or what it truly takes behind the scenes to produce and maintain top horses, this conversation gives a rare, grounded look at all of it. It’s thoughtful, detailed, and full of insight for anyone who wants to build a stronger partnership or push their own riding forward.If you enjoy this episode, make sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and help us keep growing The Elevated Equestrian—it means more than you know.

In this episode, Samantha sits down with rider, trainer, and tech sales professional Jacqueline Burke of Hablyn Hills Equestrian to unpack what it actually looks like to build a sustainable equestrian life without losing the love for the sport. Jacqueline shares how she went from broke working student with an FEI horse that couldn’t stay sound, to a successful career in tech sales and owning a 25-acre farm with 16 horses and a thriving training program.They dive into the surprising overlap between selling horses and selling software, the reality of stepping away from competition to get financially stable, why teaching became a core pillar of her business, and how she juggles remote work, a barn, staff, students, Florida/Aiken trips, and motherhood—with intention instead of burnout.If you’re trying to figure out how to afford your horse goals without living in constant survival mode, this one’s for you.👉 If you enjoy this episode, please follow, rate, and share The Elevated Equestrian—it helps more riders find these conversations.

This week, I sit down with trainer and former upper-level event rider Madison Solosi for a refreshingly honest look at what it really takes to reinvent yourself in this sport. Madison grew up homeschooled on a Michigan farm her parents built from scratch, went to Scotland to train with the legendary Ian Stark instead of college, competed through Intermediate, and eventually made the move to Virginia to build a business in a place with a deeper horse community.We talk about the mental and physical shift from eventing to show jumping, the culture shock of entering a new discipline, learning to be “the new kid” again, finding community in the jumper world, managing a 15-stall training program, and figuring out how to stay competitive while raising a family and rehabbing from a major injury.It’s a conversation about identity, ambition, resilience, and what it looks like to start over when the sport you love demands something different from you.If you’re listening along, tap follow and keep sharing the show—this whole thing grows because of you.

What if listening to your horse’s no actually created a stronger, braver, more confident performance partner?In this episode, Samantha Baer sits down with equine behavior specialist Adele Shaw to unravel the science and nuance behind choice, agency, and communication in performance horses. They talk about the difference between confusion, fear, pain, and true unwillingness, and how recognizing early signs of stress can prevent shutdown, blow-ups, and long-term behavioral issues.Adele explains how positive reinforcement works on a scientific level, why “kind” pressure is still pressure, and how riders can shift into training habits that build clarity instead of dependency on whips, spurs, and force. Samantha shares stories from the show-jumping and eventing world that highlight the real consequences of ignoring a horse’s signals—and the surprising transformation that happens when you adapt your training instead of pushing harder.This episode blends science, emotion, practicality, and real-world performance experiences. It’s an invitation to reexamine what partnership actually means and how much more a horse can offer when they’re given a voice in the process.Please Follow the podcast and leave a rating if you found value in this episode!

Equine physiotherapist and trauma-informed trainer Yasmine Stewart joins Samantha Baer on The Elevated Equestrian to explore how posture, pain, and performance are deeply connected to a horse’s lived experience. Together they dive into what “neutral spine” really means in motion, how enrichment and curiosity can create physical change faster than drills, and why honoring a horse’s agency can actually accelerate progress—not slow it down.Yasmine explains how nervous-system regulation shapes soundness, shares the link between trauma and posture, and offers a practical lens for navigating complex rehab cases like kissing spines and arena aversion. She and Samantha also dig into the gray areas of performance—how competition pressure affects both horses and humans, and whether true consent and high performance can ever fully coexist.If you’ve ever questioned traditional “make it happen” training or wondered how to protect welfare without losing direction, this episode will challenge and inspire you to see your horse—and yourself—differently.🎧 Follow, rate, and review The Elevated Equestrian on Spotify to help more riders find thoughtful, horse-first conversations like this one.

Why Producing Horses in America No Longer Makes Financial SenseFrench entrepreneur and horsewoman Marjory Berkache, founder of Equisale Sport Horses, joins Samantha for a brutally honest look at the real economics of horse sales and production in 2025. From importing horses from Europe to navigating pre-purchase exams and buyer expectations, Marjory breaks down why the U.S. market has become nearly impossible for breeders, trainers, and professionals to sustain.They dive deep into what’s driving global price inflation in horses—the rising cost of hay and farriers, America’s obsession with perfect x-rays, the surge of Chinese buyers in Europe, and how lease-to-buy agreements are reshaping the entire sales landscape. Marjory also shares insider insight on why only 18% of trainers actually pay themselves a salary and how the “show every weekend” mindset is breaking both horses and professionals.This episode is a masterclass in understanding the real business of horses—what it costs, why it’s changing, and what it will take to fix it.If you care about the future of horse sales, imports, and equine welfare, follow, subscribe, and leave a rating or review so more riders can find these conversations!

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Patricia Bona – human and animal chiropractor and creator of the Posture Prep cross-fiber grooming system – to talk about what your horse’s body is really trying to tell you. We get into posture as a true language, why dents, dings, girthiness, and “just hates grooming” are massive red flags, and how tight skin, scar tissue, and poor foot balance quietly shape your horse’s entire way of going.We also dig into the rider side: symmetry, old injuries, nervous systems, and how our habits in the car, in the barn, and in the saddle all feed into what the horse has to carry. If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse is actually “just a mare” or if you’re missing something important under your hand while you curry, this conversation will change how you look at your horse’s body forever.If you enjoy this episode, it helps a ton if you follow The Elevated Equestrian, rate the show, and leave a quick review.

What really happens when a horse gets to say no? In this episode, equine behavior consultant Brie Simpson of Grow Horsemanship joins Samantha for a deep dive into the science and feel behind positive and negative reinforcement, consent-based training, and what it actually means to give horses real choice and control. They unpack why “positive” doesn’t always mean kind, how timing—not tools—creates understanding, and how to recognize the moment a horse shifts from confusion to confidence. They explore thresholds, pressure that teaches versus pressure that shuts down, and the difference between compliance and true connection. From trailer loading and impulse control to fading food rewards and redefining what ethical training looks like in sport, this is one of those conversations that will quietly change the way you see everything you do with horses.If you believe training should feel better for both horse and human, follow The Elevated Equestrian, rate the show five stars, and share this episode with someone who loves a good rethink.

What if “feel” wasn’t intuition—but science you can learn? In this episode, Samantha sits down with Dr. Andrew McLean, zoologist, equitation scientist, and founder of Equitation Science International, to decode how horses actually learn. They dive into negative and positive reinforcement, classical conditioning, and the myth of “leg-into-hand.” You’ll learn why seat-only stops fade after five reps, how to retrain OTTBs who pull on the bit, the two-beat rule for perfect halts, and what true half halts look like.They also unpack arousal and downregulation, scratching at the wither as a physiological reward, and why giving horses touch, forage time, and agency can change their mental state. This is horsemanship stripped down to what the horse’s brain can understand—science that makes “feel” teachable.Follow and rate The Elevated Equestrian on Spotify to keep these evidence-based, horse-first conversations growing.

Learn how to read your horse’s mood, mindset, and nervous system in just three seconds. In this Hack Chat, Samantha breaks down the subtle body language cues hidden in something as simple as how your horse takes a cookie. Discover how lip tension, breathing, and small reactions reveal whether your horse is calm, anxious, or shut down—and how to use that information to build trust, improve relaxation, and create a better ride from the ground up.

What if your horse’s problems weren’t training issues at all—but sensory ones? In this episode, Samantha sits down with herd-dynamics expert Kerry M. Thomas to unpack the hidden operating system running every horse: sensory soundness. Together they explore how horses interpret their world, how herd wiring shapes stress, and why understanding the emotional system beneath behavior is the key to true connection.They talk about mares who multitask and geldings who “glitch,” what herd-bound behavior is really telling you, how early weaning and human pressure create lifelong stress patterns, and why the difference between a reaction and a response is everything in the saddle. Kerry explains why horses need mental warm-ups before physical work, how to stretch their emotional umbilical cord with time not distance, and what shared leadership really looks like in training.This is a deep, practical, and emotional look at the bridge between nature and sport. If you’ve ever wondered why your horse feels fine one day and fried the next, this episode will change how you see training, competition, and partnership forever.Follow The Elevated Equestrian wherever you listen, and if you love these conversations, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it really helps more riders find this work.

International Grand Prix rider and educator JJ Tate joins Samantha Baer for a deep conversation about what the “basics” of good riding really are — and why most of us have been chasing them the wrong way. We talk about creating a horse that’s powerful but liquid, how to develop true straightness and balance, and why classical dressage principles still matter in modern sport.JJ breaks down biomechanics and mindset in ways every rider can apply, from eventers to jumpers to devoted dressage nerds. We dive into the epidemic of too-long stirrups, the art of the real half-halt, how to find softness without losing power, and why good riding has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with feel.This episode is a masterclass in connection, confidence, and classical foundations that keep horses happy, sound, and proud of their work. Whether you’re polishing your position or rediscovering why you ride at all, this one will stay with you long after you hit play.If you love this conversation, it would mean the world if you follow, rate, and review The Elevated Equestrian on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It’s the best way to help thoughtful, horse-first conversations like this reach more riders.

What if your horse isn’t the problem—it’s your body? In this episode, Samantha Baer sits down with international equestrian performance coach India Parker-Smith to talk about what it really means to be a strong, supple, and stable rider. Together they dive into why rider fitness, mobility, and body awareness are the missing links to better performance and happier horses.India breaks down what “engage your core” actually means, how to fix common imbalances, and why mobility beats stretching every time. You’ll learn simple pre-ride routines, the truth about breathing and tension, and how your posture might be the reason your horse keeps needing chiropractic work. Whether you ride dressage, jumpers, or eventing, this episode will help you ride better, feel stronger, and help your horse perform at their best.If you love the show, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to The Elevated Equestrian. It helps more riders discover the podcast and join the movement to put the horse first while raising the standard of rider performance.

Most riders think tension is a training problem—but what if it’s not? In this conversation Samantha sits down with Karen Rohlf of Dressage Naturally to explore the real reason your horse won’t relax and why it often has more to do with trust, intention, and emotional balance than any specific technique.Karen explains how relaxation, energy, and balance form the foundation of healthy biomechanics and true power. We talk about recognizing the difference between a horse that’s quiet and one that’s shut down, how to use energy as a conversation rather than a command, and why your intention can completely change the outcome of a ride. We also dive into the small mindset shifts—like practicing with a timer or creating space for play—that rebuild confidence and connection from the inside out.This episode is for riders who want their horses to feel better after the ride, not just look better during it. If you’ve ever felt torn between getting results and keeping the relationship, this one will change the way you train.If you enjoy conversations that put the horse first, make sure to follow, rate, and share The Elevated Equestrian—it helps more riders find these horse-centered stories and keeps the community growing.

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, host Samantha Baer sits down with Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse Magazine, to unpack the hard truths behind leadership, money, and accountability in American horse sport. Piper—who’s covered over a thousand horse shows across the U.S.—shares an insider look at the USEF salary structure, the growing gap between governing-body decision makers and grassroots professionals, and why so many riders feel unheard and undervalued.We dive into the future of equestrian governance, the power dynamics shaping modern horse shows, and how transparency, compassion, and volunteer-driven reform could rebuild trust in the system. From the realities of judging and prize money to the welfare of horses at every level, this conversation challenges the traditions holding the sport back—and imagines a better path forward for both horses and humans.If you’re passionate about equestrian reform, rider welfare, and accountability in sport, this episode will change how you see the future of competition.🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review The Elevated Equestrian wherever you listen—your support helps independent, rider-led media spark real change in the industry.