Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we're diving back into some important topics facing the horse world and, specifically, our sport of eventing. 

🔎 What’s Inside Episode 16?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by U.S. Olympic rider and World Championships/Pan Ams medalist Lauren Nicholson, who’s well-known in the sport for her love producing horses and riders for the future and being a vocal advocate for the sport as a member of approximately 47 USEF and USEA committees. 

Lauren sits down with Sally in this episode to discuss topics ranging from her system and business set-up at home, why she chose to be so involved at every imaginable level, why she just can't help but "poke the trolls" every now and then, and what the future holds for the sport we all love. 

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover…

• 1:57 - News & Notes: Liz Halliday update, a new Maryland Masterclass and Free Feed for a Year from Sentinel Horse Nutrition

Sally and Lauren discuss some newsworthy items, including a happy new update from Paris Olympian Liz Halliday, a new Maryland Masterclass with Ian Stark and Pierre le Goupil, and a chance to win free feed for your horse from Sentinel Horse Nutrition. 

[A New Update from Liz Halliday]

[Purchase your ticket to the Maryland Masterclass]

[Enter to Win Free Feed for a Year from Sentinel Horse Nutrition]

• 9:05 - Go Eventing Shout-Outs

Sally and Lauren recognize some members of the eventing community, including a listener shout-out to Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, Ontario. The new FEI eventing at Ottawa, largely thanks to the Laframboise Family Legacy Fund (which also has helped with funding at Bromont CCI Three Day Event, helping keep FEI eventing active in Canada. Their event will have just concluded as you’re listening to this. They ran up to CCI2*-S with courses designed by Jay Hambly. WCP is located right near the city, which is a unique element of this venue. 

Submit your own Go Eventing Shout-outs at podcast@eventingnation.com!

• 18:17 - One Big Thing: Knowing Better to Do Better with Horses 

Lauren’s spent several years as an active member of multiple governing committees. She and Sally spend some time on the topic of committee procedure, amateur representation and rule changes, which then leads them into a discussion on social license and horse welfare. Lauren takes a firm stance that curiosity is key when it comes to treating our horses well, and the people she respects most are those who are willing to learn “what they don’t know.” She advises listeners on what makes her respect her fellow horsemen and women, and how we can look at our horses with longevity in mind.

To see any ongoing Rule Change Proposals that are open for comment, log in to your USEA account (the USEA has the authority to submit rule change proposals to USEF for eventing). USEA members (even Supporting Members) can comment on rules using the Rule Change Proposal Survey(s) under "Online Services" after logging in. View the USEF rule change process here.

• 1:36:46 - Sponsor Segment: Old School vs. New School, sponsored by Horsepal

*Heads up* We experienced some service issues during this segment, so we apologize for the quality disturbances.

Sally and Lauren discuss some “old school” versus “new school” ideas, especially when it comes to horse fitness, as well as using different technologies and techniques with her horses with the idea of simplicity as a navigating force.

For riders who do want the numbers to back up their feel, products like Horsepal are helping eventers track heart rate, recovery, and conditioning in a whole new way. We’ve just published a review of the Horsepal monitor, and you can order it worldwide at horsepal.com.

[Read EN’s review of Horsepal]

• 1:58:48 - You Ask, We Answer: 

What does Lauren do on a rare day off? What is her go-to cooking recipe? 

[Submit your questions for our co-hosts here]

• 2:15:52 - Finish Flags

We are nearing the end of Season 1 of The Go Eventing Podcast! Thank you for making it a success! Stay tuned to EN's socials for a special announcement of our final four co-hosts, coming soon! 

🎧 Want to keep following along with eventing at its best?

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the Go Eventing Podcast to help grow our community! Connect with us @goeventing, or you can reach us anytime at podcast@eventingnation.com. 

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's make this your favorite tack room listen.  

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives