Thanks for joining us on Sleep Stories for Equestrians, where we are reading a fictional tale called Cricket the Story of a Little Circus Pony by Berta & Emler Hader.

This episode contains the sixth part of our story featuring peaceful meditation music to help you drift off to dreamland.

00:51 – Guided Meditation

01:31 –The Story Begins

Connect with the host Ashley Winch, she loves making new friends!

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Note: This story is in the public domain.

On today's show, we're learning more about Blue Dahlia Equine with Sarah Lloyd and Haley Brush! Then we meet an adoptable horse of the week and a new training tip with New Vocations' Bridget Heasley. Stay tuned!

• Hosts: Joy Hills and Kristen Kovatch Bentley of The Horseback Writer
• Image Credit: Retired Racehorse Radio
• Title Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products
• Media Partners: The Thoroughbred Makeover and New Vocations Racehorse Adoption
• Guest: Sarah Lloyd and Haley Brush
• New Vocations Segment - Adoptable Horse
• Additional Support Provided by: Retired Racehorse Project and Listeners like You!

This week’s Practical Horseman Podcast episode, sponsored by Tribute Equine Nutrition and Farnam, is with hunter/jumper trainer and rider Kelsey Epperson. We spoke with Kelsey in early May as she was gearing up for summer horse shows with her horses and clients.

To give you a little more background on Kelsey, she started riding at a young age alongside her mom and competed on the local hunter circuit in Michigan. As a junior, Epperson decided she wanted to become a professional trainer. She made the leap after getting her college degree, and today she works with Heather Irvine at Hillside Farm in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Some of Kelsey’s notable achievements are winning the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby with Didgereedoo VDL at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival and being the reserve champion in the $10,000 WCHR Developing Professional Challenge with More Fun at the 2025 Capital Challenge Horse Show.

In our discussion, Kelsey talks about what she enjoys about the hunter and jumper disciplines, her training philosophy, how she handles show nerves and more.

About This Episode’s Sponsors, Tribute Equine Nutrition and Farnam

Tribute Equine Nutrition

If you’re serious about your horse’s performance, nutrition matters—and not all feed programs are created equal.

At Tribute Equine Nutrition, their team only makes changes when research shows they can truly improve horse health—supporting gut health, efficient nutrient use, and overall performance.

That’s why Tribute Equine Nutrition is upgrading every formula in their lineup, building on improvements made to their best-sellers and rolling those advancements out across 2026.

As updated products reach shelves, riders might even find something extra… golden tickets hidden in select bags, worth up to a year’s supply of feed for one horse.

For those not sure where to start, Tribute’s team will create a free, personalized feeding plan—and new customers receive their first bag shipped free, with no purchase required.

Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com and click “Get a Feed Plan” to get started.

Farnam

This episode is brought to you by Farnam, celebrating 80 years of trusted equine care, and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control, a new fly spray for horses.

When your horse needs to stay focused, it helps to take flies out of the equation. Endure Gold uses brand-new, EPA-approved ingredients never before seen in equine care to annihilate flies, ticks, and mosquitoes.

This advanced formula delivers fast knockdown and up to 14 days of fly protection you can trust. Discover fly protection with Endure Gold from Farnam.

In this special episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, we talk to rising dressage superstar and Team Prac memeber Christian Simonson fresh off his double silver podium placing with Indian Rock at the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Christian tells us about his experience at his first-ever World Cup™ Final, his close partnership with "Rocky," what he loves so much about the sport and why he's excited to see dressage riders having more fun.

As always, if you love our podcasts, make sure to subscribe, like and share them with your friends!

About This Episode's Guest: Christian Simonson

Growing up in Ventura, California, Christian Simonson had plenty of hobbies. From mountain biking and downhill skiing to scuba diving to getting his student’s pilot license at 15, he’s always had a sense of adventure, but dressage is where his heart lies. Having started dressage at 6 years old, Christian dedicated himself to the sport and had an illustrious junior career, which included competing at four FEI North American Youth Championships, winning junior team gold and individual silver in 2017, young rider team silver in 2018 and young rider team, individual and freestyle gold in 2021. He also won the Horseware Ireland/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship title at the 2021 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions.

Christian has been part of the U.S. Dressage Young Rider European Tour three times, winning team bronze at the Future Champions CDIY in Hagen, Germany, twice, first with Zeaball Diawind in 2021, then with Son of a Lady in 2023. Under the tutelage of his coach, Olympian Adrienne Lyle, he has competed at CHIO Aachen, finishing third in the young rider freestyle with Son of a Lady twice in 2022 and 2023. He and Son of a Lady were named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2023 Pan American Games, where they helped secure team gold.

Christian's success didn’t stop upon making it to the senior levels; in fact, he’s just gotten more competitive. Before Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center purchased Indian Rock for him to ride, the 23-year-old had never competed at Grand Prix, but with the 13-year-old stallion, he’s been unbeatable. They’ve never lost a class and were champions in the Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. In addition, he rode Fleau de Baian, who is also owned by Humphries, to the Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup Dressage National Championship.

He started the 2026 season with “Rocky” by winning the CDI-W in at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, qualifying them for this year’s Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. In their World Cup™ Final debut, the pair brought the crowd to their feet with an explosive freestyle choreographed to the “Rocky” movies’ soundtrack to take silver on a personal best score of 83.81%.

About This Episode's Sponsor: Zoetis® Equine

Has your horse experienced lameness? Did you know that your veterinarian can use the healing power of your horse’s own blood to help manage lameness, joint pain and more? The Pro-Stride APS regenerative medicine device is designed to help keep horses feeling and performing at their best. Ask your vet if Pro-Stride APS may be a great option to help support your horse’s joint health journey. Zoetis® is always by your side in the barn, down the centerline and everywhere in between.

Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky ([email protected]) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman ([email protected])

Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Guest: Christian Simonson

Our Sponsors this month: Zoetis® Equine

Roxane Durant of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) joins us to talk about how far they have come with the Association. Plus, some historical news and some sad news. Plus, some Realli BAD Adz to end the show. Listen in…

HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3946 – Show Notes and Links:

• Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Glenn the Geek
• Title Sponsors: Kentucky Performance Products and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Jamie and Glenn's Amazon Store
• Pic Credit: IEA Website
• Guest: Roxane Durant, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)
• Additional support for this podcast provided by: My New Horse, Equine Network and Listeners Like You

Time Stamps:

• 00:39 - Derby winner skips Preakness
• 03:59 - Jamie’s new training horses
• 04:55 - Upcoming schedule
• 06:20 - “Horses in the Morning” theme story
• 08:08 - Daily Winnies
• 08:40 - Tito Bandito Dorito background
• 11:45 - Farm life & fiber internet news
• 15:15 - Interview: Roxanne Durant & IEA
• 33:09 - On This Day in Equine History
• 38:30 - Really Bad Ads

Following our series on laminitis rehab, Maggie Lambert talks about Cedar, her Rocky Mountain Horse, and his recovery from laminitis back to soundness and work.

Easy-keeper owner Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD, a professor of equine nutrition at the North Carolina State University Department of Animal Science, in Raleigh, shares the top mistakes she sees owners of easy keepers making and how to get back on track.

Read the full article here: https://thehorse.com/1115803/fix-easy-keeper-feeding-mistakes/

This magazine article has been transformed for your listening pleasure using AI resources.

Mary Kitzmiller answers listener questions about mouthy curious horses, horses who are afraid in the pasture, stopping buddy sour habit before they start, and the basics of starting liberty training.

Episode 3945 Links

• Image Credit: Mary Kitzmiller Horsemanship
• Today’s Hosts: Mary Kitzmiller and Coach Jenn
• Title Sponsor: Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Follow Mary Kitzmiller on Facebook, Mary Kitzmiller’s Store
• Follow Horse Radio Network on Twitter or follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook
• Visit our other sponsors! Spalding Fly Predators
• Advertise with Horse Radio Network
• Additional support for this podcast provided by: Listeners Like You

Time Stamps

• 07:53 - First Steps in Liberty Training
• 24:40 - Helping the Mouthy Curious Horse
• 39:47 - Preventing Buddy Sour Trail Habits
• 53:04 - Novel (a.k.a Scary)Objects in the Pasture

How do you turn global artisan relationships into a standout retail experience? Amanda Alexander shares how Peyote Bird blends storytelling, sourcing, and smart curation to create collections that truly sell.

• Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole Zipperlen
• Contact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing Specialist
• Guest: Amanda Alexander, Peyote Bird | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode, Kaycie Hatcher, DVM, joined us to discuss upper respiratory disorders in horses. She talked about common disorders she encounters in practice, her approach to building a differential diagnosis list, treatment and management strategies, and more.

This episode of Disease Du Jour is brought to you by Equithrive.

GUESTS AND LINKS - EPISODE 181:

• Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly ([email protected])
• Guest: Dr. Kaycie Hatcher, DVM
• Podcast Website: Disease Du Jour
• This episode of Disease Du Jour podcast is brought to you by Equithrive.
• Connect with the Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly ([email protected])

The latest episode of Mornings in D Minor features a special live-taped conversation at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Join hosts Drew Stewart and Shane Miner as they are joined by the legendary rodeo clown and entertainer Flint Rasmussen.

The group reflects on their deep-rooted family connections and shared history in the Western sports world. Flint shares a poignant story about his decision to step away from the arena after 30 years and the emotional impact it had on his daughter. The conversation also covers:

Highlights

• The NFR Atmosphere: The hosts and guests discuss the vibrant energy in Las Vegas during the NFR and the evolution of the nightly awards show at the South Point.
• Rodeo Legends: Personal anecdotes about rodeo icons like Joe Beaver, Cody Johnson, and Jake Barnes.
• The Art of the Craft: Insights into the skills required for rodeo announcing, clowning, and even the "lost art" of the auctioneer's chant.
• Music and Performance: Shane Miner performs a song he wrote, and the group discusses the intrinsic link between music, rhythm, and the competitive spirit.
• Life Transitions: An honest look at the physical and mental toll of a long career in rodeo and the challenges of finding new passions after retirement.

This episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the camaraderie and mutual respect among some of the most influential figures in professional rodeo.