Equestrian Mums Club

What did September look like for us? Curious to find out? In this episode of the Equestrian Mums Club podcast, we catch listeners up on our lives, discussing our children, horses, and recent experiences. Katie updates listeners on some new arrivals(!), her lack of riding lately and some baby-related capers of recent days... AND, Sophie tells us all about how her second pregnancy is feeling - with less than 3 weeks to go until her due date (eek)! The conversation also touches upon; birth plans and important decisions, the unequivocal pressure we put upon ourselves as mothers to "bounce back" and the fun of keeping toddlers entertained with daily life! Plus, we discuss plans for hosting the podcast as Sophie looks to welcome another family member. TLDR? Get to know us a little bit more, as well as some updates on how the Equestrian Mums Club is changing over the next few months. -- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn & more... Find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

Do you dream of heading out eventing next season? Do you have high hopes and plans for something BIG? What about... dreams of Badminton Grassroots?! Well... in this episode, we're speaking to one lady that gives us all something to aspire to! We're chatting to Badminton Grassroots 2024 competitor, Chloe Marsh. Chloe has been well known on the UK side saddle circuit for many years - her adventures with her horse, "The Cow Pony" aka Bertie (or Oaklawn Gypsy to give his proper name) giving so many of us belly laughs and inspiration in equal measure! There's not much that Chloe and Bertie didn't achieve together. However, in more recent times, Chloe's focus has been on her youngster, Marley and new family member, baby Ottilie. And in 2024, she even got to take Marley around the Badminton Grassroots event... just 4 months postpartum! In this episode, we're talking about... Planning a pregnancy around Badminton Grassroots! The controversial topic of horse riding throughout pregnancy Labouring, postpartum life and the farming lifestyle... including a different set of priorities for husband, Thomas! The ups and downs of breastfeeding The challenges (physical, logistical and mental) of juggling riding and children Chloe's journey with her beloved, Cow Pony Plus much more! As always with our guests, we're absolutely in awe of what Chloe has achieved on this journey so far with a baby and horses! But also what she has been kind enough to share with us. If you'd like to follow more of Chloe's journey with baby Ottilie and horse, Marley - you can do so via Instagram @chloe.l.marsh. Happy horsing! --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

What does sustainability really mean? Can you truly make eco-friendly choices with horses and babies? Have you ever considered the true cost of a sustainable product... from beginning to end? In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Zoe Kiff, founder and owner of sustainable equestrian brand, ⁠Honest Riders⁠. In this conversation, we're getting to know more about... Who Zoe and her family are Zoe's incredible journey with her home-produced dressage horse, Trevor What the Honest Riders brand is and how it was started When products are truly sustainable (& the cost of that!) The balance between entrepreneurship, horses and family life Tips to start your own journey to more sustainable choices Plus much, much more! Enjoy listening along as we learn more about being sustainable and environmentally friendly, with both humans and horses. Pssst! Loved this episode and want to start your own eco-friendly horse care journey? Use code MUMSCLUB15 to claim 15% off any product in the Honest Horse collection. Hurry - offer expires at the end of September! --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

Have you ever ridden an ex-racehorse? Perhaps you've had the privilege of giving a Thoroughbred a change in career after racing? If you've already had dealings with former racehorses... you probably already know how adaptable, intelligent and fabulous these horses really are! In this episode, we're speaking to Lauren Stanley, Welfare Communications Manager at Great British Racing and a mum of two gorgeous little boys. This conversation touches on: Lauren's family life Lauren's role at Great British Racing and the key to balancing work and family life How to get involved with National Racehorse Week (7-15 September 2024) and see how racehorses in the UK are looked after Common misconceptions about the life of racehorses The opportunity for equestrian disciplines to learn from each other The opportunity for diverse careers in racing Plus, much more! Enjoy listening along, as we learn more about racing and the crossover with everyday equestrians life. --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

What did July look like for us? Curious to find out? In this episode of the Equestrian Mums Club podcast, we catch listeners up on our lives, discussing our children, horses, and recent experiences. Sophie shares updates about breaking in her horse 3YO, Trev, and the perils of riding whilst 7 months pregnant... Meanwhile, Katie talks about planning for Rafe's first birthday and shopping for a baby horse! The conversation also touches upon; some parenting fails from the month(!), the Olympics and some incredible performances that have wowed us, as well as some big controversy in the equestrian world. TLDR? Get to know us a little bit more, as well as some updates on how the Equestrian Mums Club has grown over the month (with much more still to come!). *Please note: Some of the topics we discuss in this episode some listeners may find challenging - including discussions around horse welfare. We advise listener discretion.

Have you ever felt underrepresented in the equine world? Perhaps you've noticed that women are often in less leadership positions in this sector... despite making up over 75% of participants in the sport?! In this episode, we're talking to someone who is part of an organisation looking to change that. Muireann O'Toole Brennan is Co-Founder and CMO of Equitas - an online publication standing for justice, fairness and equity for females in our industry. In this very thought-provoking episode, we're talking about: An introduction to Muireann, her work and her family The Equitas mission and why it is so important Flexibility and a skilled female workforce Toxic masculinity in some disciplines and the risk it poses to the workforce The delight of ex-racehorses, and the joy they can bring! The mental health epidemic happening in the equestrian world - and what Equitas are doing about it This was an absolutely incredible and honest conversation, with someone who - although always looks on the bright side of life(!) - is really championing some of the most serious topics we are faced with as equestrians. We were delighted to speak to Muireann and get her perspective. *Please note: Some of the topics we discuss in this episode some listeners may find challenging - including discussions around gender discrimination, sexual harassment, mental health and suicide. We advise listener discretion. --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

How do women prioritise after having a baby? Does a child mean the end of your career - professional or riding? As a self-confessed career woman, Mel Newman wasn't expecting a baby to be part of their family dynamic! Having worked in Marketing within the equestrian industry for a decade, and with a string of high-profile brands behind her name, many could be mistaken for thinking of Mel as just "married to the job". However, in this chat, we're getting to finding out what really matters to this supermum! This conversation touches on: - Mel's upbringing between The Netherlands and the UK - Her unexpected pregnancy and the impact it had on her riding - How she makes balances family life with progressing her professional career - The importance of guarding your mental wellbeing - especially with social media - Societal expectations and roles in the home - The importance of listening to your own instincts - Plus, much more! Enjoy listening along, as we have a laugh with (and learn a little more about!) someone we've worked with for many moons! --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

Are you travelling with your littles this summer? Perhaps it's your very first flight abroad as a family? Or... are you heading off for some jolly camping capers?! In this episode, we're chatting about the essentials we've taken with us to make travelling with kids that little bit easier. And, we're sharing the tips we've been given by others to help make those journeys *slightly* less stressful! We hope this episode is useful for you. Safe travels! --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

What did June look like for us? Curious to find out? In this episode of the Equestrian Mums Club podcast, we catch listeners up on our lives, discussing our children, horses, and recent experiences. Sophie shares updates about her daughter Olive, her pregnancy (as she reaches 6 months in!), and her horses. Meanwhile, Katie opens up about the very recent loss of her horse, Leo - and how that is affecting all areas of family life. The conversation also touches upon going back to work after maternity leave and the difficulties of balancing work and childcare. We also share our struggles with keeping a tidy house(!) as well as announcement about podcast episodes in the month of August. TLDR? Get to know us a little bit more, as well as some updates on how the Equestrian Mums Club has grown over the month (with much more still to come!). *Please note: Some of the topics we discuss in this episode some listeners may find challenging - including discussions around horse euthanasia, grief and loss. We advise listener discretion. --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

Have you ever wondered about the connection between confidence and becoming a new parent? Has your confidence in the saddle changed for the better or the worse, since having a child? In this episode, we are speaking to international master mindset and performance psychology coach, author, speaker and trainer, Jenni Winter-Leach. Founder of Flying Changes Mindset, Jenni has a wealth of experience in helping equestrians show up to be the best they can be - by harnessing the power of their own mind! Listen in to hear more on: Jenni's journey from corporate careerist to transitioning to an equestrian mindset expert How your nervous system shapes our response to different situations The psychological theory behind confidence - and how trauma can affect this The importance of understanding the root cause for confidence issues - not just dealing with the symptoms What the definition of a trauma actually is! How trauma responses can shape our parenting This was a truly fascinating episode for us - so we hope our listeners enjoy and learn a thing or two along the way! Our key takeaway was simply this - mindset matters, in parenting, riding and in the way we treat ourselves and others. Invest in it! *Please note: Some of the topics we discuss in this episode some listeners may find challenging - including discussions around grief and loss. We advise listener discretion. --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

What does fatherhood really look like... versus the picture he has in his head pre-kids?! (Spoiler alert: It's a bit different!) On this episode of the Equestrian Mums Club podcast, Sophie's flying solo to have a chat with her co-host - Katie's - husband and long-suffering "horse widow", Simon! Listen in to this episode to hear more about: The infamous "meet cute" for he and Katie... with an unlikely location! How he (a self-confessed non-equestrian) really feels about having horses in his back garden His take on their late pregnancy news How he is navigating fatherhood, in the midst of his own grief His thoughts on his Katie's transition to motherhood The (unusual!) phrase he keeps in mind, to remember to make the best of every situation It's rare we get the non-horsey side of the coin on this podcast... so take a seat and get ready to listen along to the real, authentic story of someone "equestrian by association"! Please note: Some of the topics we discuss in this episode some listeners may find challenging - including grief and loss of a parent. We advise listener discretion. --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

What did May look like for us? Curious to find out? In this episode of the Equestrian Mums Club podcast, we catch listeners up on our lives, discussing our children, horses, and recent experiences. Sophie shares updates about her daughter Olive, her pregnancy, and her horses, while Katie talks about her new horse (Lottie) and her son Rafe. The conversation (as always!) delves into the challenges and joys of parenting, as well as the humourous and chaotic moments of everyday life as an equestrian. The conversation covers the challenges and parallels between raising children and caring for horses, as well as the unique experiences of being an equestrian mother. It also touches on the complexities of balancing family, work, and equestrian responsibilities. TLDR? Get to know us a little bit more, as well as some updates on how the Equestrian Mums Club has grown over the month (with much more still to come!). --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram and Facebook - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

When was the last time you had an open conversation with a friend about your cycle? What sort of feelings do you get when someone starts to open up about theirs to you? In this episode, we're speaking to Coni Longden-Bird, co-founder of NIXI Body - an innovative leak-proof underwear brand that the Equestrian Mums Club partnered with in 2024. Together, we're talking about normalising conversations around women's health - and how breaking down stigma and shame can lead to more empowered, healthy women. Listen along to hear more about: Coni's background and fertility journey The need to prioritise self-care, especially through conception and then motherhood The need for education around menstrual health Who NIXI Body are and their mission Why NIXI Body's products are ideal confidence boosters for those with bladder leaks or periods We had such a blast on this episode - and hope that this content can make you laugh along with us, as we explore the topic of women's health with a little light-hearted humour! Please note: Some of the topics we discuss in this episode some listeners may find challenging - including fertility challenges and discussions around shame. We advise listener discretion. --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

Do you ever meet people in this life that you are immediately drawn to? What is the defining factor for you? For us, often it's a blend of grit, charisma, authenticity and a multifaceted skillset - which this episode's guest certainly has in spades! Like many of the equestrian parents we've spoken to, Ali Surrey Dane has multiple hats to wear... She runs and owns a livery yard - Hurston Dressage and Eventing She's a British Dressage Coaching Certificate L3 coach and List 3 British Dressage judge She's a rider (although seems to take that title with a pinch of salt!) She's a Non-Executive Director for both the British Grooms Association and the Equestrian Employers Association Of course, she's also a mummy, too - to one gorgeous little boy, Rafael! How does she do it all... we'll never really know! But, on a sunny day in mid-March, we got up close and personal with the wonderful lady, herself. In this episode, listeners can hear a little bit more about... What Ali really think the equestrian industry needs more of (Clue: it's not horses!) How she managed to buy herself a little Lusitano gelding... and not a big warmblood mare? How a rough pregnancy doesn't necessarily mean a slow return to riding! Her son and his namesake How equestrian employers need to make changes for parents to sustain their own businesses Plus, much more... in true Equestrian Mums Club fashion! --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!

What would you say your superpower is? In this episode, we're getting to know Elli Sydenham - supermum, single parent and social media manager(!) for her 13-year-old daughter, Phoebe and their many four-legged friends. Known on Instagram by the handle @hattie_the wildcardpony, this glorious duo are brightening our feeds on the daily - with daughter, Phoebe, letting her creative streak and determined nature run riot and mum, Elli, being the "buffer and safety net" for content, comments and followers. (Pretty hard work when there's 15k+ followers!) Listen on to hear more about: Elli's background and life as a "first generation equestrian" & "first generation equestrian mum" The challenges and benefits of co-parenting with an ex Advocating for Phoebe's ADHD diagnosis and life after the discovery The benefits of horses and social media for someone with a neurodevelopment difference Managing an adolescent's social media account as a parent This was such an open and honest conversation, with huge thanks to Elli for her candour. We hope this conversation gives you plenty to think about, but plenty to be hopeful about, too - especially if you, or someone you know, are struggling with accepting a "difference" of any kind. Because, your difference can be just what the world needs! --- Want to hear more from the Equestrian Mums Club? We’re over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - find us with the handle @equestrianmumsclub or head to our profile page for the link straight there. Make sure to hit the follow button for more content like this!