Horse Show Bestie

Horse shows are a family affair... whether your husband signed up for that or not. 😂This week, Scott Cooper and Crysta Brown get into the realities of navigating relationships at horse shows, from bringing your significant other along for the ride to managing expectations, emotions, and the occasional horse show meltdown.They also get personal about the highs and lows of their recent showing experiences, including Scott's challenges with Chip, Crysta's journey as a developing clinician, and an unexpected car accident. Along the way, they talk about the importance of community, the emotional rollercoaster of being a DIY horse owner, and why sometimes the biggest lessons happen outside the show pen.The conversation also tackles a bigger industry question: how do we better support amateur riders who want to DIY? They discuss the value of full-time training, the importance of having a good mentor in your corner, and finding creative ways to make quality horsemanship education more accessible.And finally, they're kicking off No Stirrup November! A little challenge to get riders out of their comfort zones, work on their position, and invest in becoming better horsemen and horsewomen.Support Our SponsorsNAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/Crysta Brown Horsemanship: www.CBhorsemanship.com

Besties, welcome to something new! Scott is flying solo for this mini episode with a very horsey weekend recap, some show-pen perspective, and his first-ever DIY full-body clip on Chip.He kicks things off with the California Championship Quarter Horse Show and a reminder that the things we build up in our heads are often much less intimidating once we actually experience them. The competition is real, the amateurs are talented, and you still belong there.Then it’s clipping time. Scott shares what he learned tackling Chip’s first full-body clip, from prepping the coat and navigating tricky skin folds to accepting that a few clipper lines are absolutely not worth spiraling over.There’s also a questionable dinosaur mane, strong opinions about mayonnaise, a post-clip bath, and some thoughts on upcoming fall shows and possibly heading to Western Nationals.A quick reminder from Scott: confidence usually shows up after you start, not before. Go to the show. Try the thing. Clip the horse. The lines will grow out.Support Our SponsorsNAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/Crysta Brown Horsemanship: www.CBhorsemanship.com

Besties, what if the judge in the middle of the pen isn’t sitting there waiting for you to mess up? What if they’re actually riding every step with you, hoping you give them something good to reward?In this episode, Crysta sits down with judge, trainer, and longtime horsewoman Nancie Wright to talk about what really happens on the other side of the judge’s card.Nancie shares how just ten childhood riding lessons turned into a lifetime with horses, how mentors and unexpected opportunities helped her build a career, and why she eventually fell in love with judging.Then we get into some of the biggest horse show myths. Going first does not automatically ruin your chances. Judges have not secretly decided they don’t like your horse. And sadly, the $5,000 jacket is not a cheat code for winning.Nancie breaks down what judges are actually looking for in patterns and rail classes, why the rule book is one of the best free training tools we have, and how to use your scores as a roadmap instead of a report card on your worth.She also explains why a correct zero is worth celebrating, how judges reward quality one maneuver at a time, and why your job is simply to put the best ride you can in the pen that day.And because we are Horse Show Bestie, we also talk about the part of showing that has nothing to do with ribbons. Helping the new exhibitor fix their number. Lending a saddle pad. Helping a kid with their mane. Answering the question they were nervous to ask. Basically, being the person who makes someone want to come back.Because everybody starts somewhere. And maybe the judge isn’t rooting against you after all. Maybe they’re hoping you give them something really good to write down. ✨Support Our SponsorsNAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/Crysta Brown Horsemanship: www.CBhorsemanship.com

Besties, it’s time to talk bits. Because apparently, there is a lot more going on in that little piece of metal than “my horse likes this one.”Scott and Crysta sit down with legendary bit maker Chuck Letchworth to talk about what a bit actually does, why the first signal matters, and why better communication, not more pressure, is what creates a softer, more confident horse.Chuck breaks down the details that actually change what a horse feels, from shank angle and purchase to mouthpiece shape, curb material, width, and balance. He also gets into why choosing a bit simply because it worked on your last horse is probably not the strategy we thought it was.Then we get into the training behind the equipment: giving a horse time to understand a new bridle, rewarding the smallest correct response, making lead changes part of everyday life, and why intimidation is not a substitute for training.Scott learns a very important lesson about the missing rope on his trail bit, Crysta finally gets answers about square mouthpieces, and both hosts leave with a slightly different perspective on what their hands are actually saying.If you’ve ever stood in front of a tack-room wall wondering why one bit costs more than your first car, why your horse braces before you even make contact, or whether the problem is actually the bit, this episode is for you.About Our GuestChuck Letchworth is the craftsman behind Chuck Letchworth Bits & Spurs. With a lifetime of horsemanship and more than five decades of bit making experience, Chuck designs handcrafted equipment around feel, function, balance, and the way today's horse's are asked to perform.Support Our SponsorsNAC Equine Services - www.nac-equine-services.comCrysta Brown Horsemanship - www.CBhorsemanship.com

This week, we’re talking horses, money, social media, and the occasional existential crisis. 💅🏼We get into what actually makes a horse valuable, why good trainers and breeders are worth paying for, and the not-so-glamorous realities of investing in horses. We also dissect riding videos, hand position, back cinches, safety, and the risks that come with showing and training.And because apparently horses aren’t enough to keep us busy, we talk mental health, self-care, and learning to advocate for yourself when life gets a little too much.Basically: horse girl problems, but with receipts.TakeawaysTraveling and podcasting can be exhausting, but it's all part of living one's best life.The horse industry is affected by tension, financial strain, and social media influence, impacting trainers, breeders, and horse owners. Horse value is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it.Investing in horses is a risky and unpredictable endeavor.Studying horse riding videos can be a valuable learning tool for riders. Trail western riding hand positionImportance of safety and risk management in horse training and showingChallenges of mental health and the need for self-careChapters00:00 Travel and Podcasting03:00 Challenges of the Horse Industry16:59 The Value of Trainers and Breeders24:28 The Value of Horses and Horse Investment37:30 The Experience of Watching and Learning from Horse Riding Videos45:49 Trail Western Riding Hand Position47:25 The Use of Back Cinches53:26 Importance of Safety and Risk Management01:05:37 Challenges of Mental Health and Self-CareSupport our Sponsors:NAC Equine- https://www.nac-equine-services.com/Crysta Brown Horsemanship- CBhorsemanship.com