Dressage Today Podcast

In this month’s episode, Aviva and Stephany interview Jennifer Mutchler, owner and operator of Half Pass Farm in Catlett, Virginia. Jennifer is our second Unsung Hero (formerly Hometown Hero, we like “unsung” better!) and was nominated by Sandy Mueller. She has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal, taking several different horses (and breeds) to the Grand Prix level. She trains, teaches and breeds a few warmbloods each year from their Virginia location, and is well known in the area for matching the right people with the right horses! We really enjoyed chatting with Jennifer, especially because she and Aviva have another connection between them – take a listen to hear what it is!In our Ask the L section Aviva clarifies a question from a listener about a previous L Question. Aviva and Stephany catch up on their various recent exploits, and they play “where in the world is Stephany?” as she records from a layover in an airport!As always, if you like what we do, please share it with your friends, on social media, hit the “LIKE” button and subscribe!We are so grateful for our numerous sponsors – we must be doing something right!Take a listen now!About This Episode’s Sponsors: Tribute, KPP and FarnamTributeWhat if your horse’s nutrition only changed when it truly mattered? That’s the philosophy behind Tribute Equine Nutrition. As a fixed-formula brand, they don’t make changes unless new research shows they can make their feeds meaningfully better—supporting things like digestibility, nutrient absorption, 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.To celebrate, Tribute has hidden golden tickets in random bags—worth up to a year’s supply of feed for one horse. Horse owners can also get a free, personalized feeding plan, and new customers receive their first bag shipped free. Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com and click “Get a Feed Plan” to learn more.KPPIs your horse showing signs of metabolic dysregulation? Weight gain, unhealthy insulin levels that can lead to unsoundness, issues with the structural integrity of the laminae within the hoof. InsulinWise® has been research-proven to support a decrease in insulin dysregulation. A synergistic blend of polyphenols and amino acids, InsulinWise helps maintain normal metabolic function and healthy insulin levels, support a healthy body weight and normal fat distribution, and sustain normal structural integrity of the laminae in the hoof. To see if ProbioticWise—available through veterinarians—is right for your horse, speak with your vet, visit KPPusa.com, or call 859-873-2974.FarnamThis 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. Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Jennifer Mutchler, owner and operator of Half Pass Farm in Catlett, VirginiaOur Sponsors this month: Tribute

In this month’s episode, Aviva reflects on the weight of social media on our riding, how easy it is to criticize in the name of “critiquing” and how we can never know the full story just from a picture of a video. She and Stephany share their thoughts on how we can all be kinder, and as riders we can always work to be better, but that most people are out their doing their best every ride. Stephany shares her latest win with Dante and getting qualified for Regionals.In the Ask the L segment, Aviva talks about posting versus sitting in Training and First Levels. She discusses the various reasons behind what judges are looking for and how you can best help your horse with either choice.We have a word from our sponsor, EquestrianPlus, and then Stephany meets back up with Beth for round two of the bit discussion.This month, we dive deeper into some of the things Beth talked about last month, including metals, bit sizes and weight. They go on with the discussion to talk about double bridles - what the purpose is, when to try it, and how different curb bits work in the mouth. It was another fascinating dive into the world of bit fitting, and we are so happy that Beth could join us for a second chat!Again, If you have questions for Beth, please forward them to her directly, or send them to us so we can share them with everyone on a future episode! As always, if you like what we are doing, please like and share our podcast!Dressage Today S6 E8 Show Notes:Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com) of SerendipityDressageConnect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Video Subscription Site | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Beth Haist of TheHorseofCourse.com, Email Beth (beth@thehorseofcourse.com)Today's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what’s going on – Stephany’s travels, her new baby cows, Aviva has a potential buyer for Ralphie!  Aviva has an amazing question from Alex about conformation, effort and how that is recognized in a test.  She gives us a lot to think about with her answer – are you riding a 6 mover?  Are you a 6 rider?  What is a good expectation for an average horse, and where are there places that you can shine no matter what?Mark talks about his background and how he came into the natural horsemanship world. He discusses different ways to think about helping your horse into a better mental state, what he really means when he says pressure, and how even our dressage horses could feel better if we changed our approach a little. It is a fascinating interview with lots of places where we tie his work into dressage examples, so take a listen! Feel free to let us know your thoughts, and if you have further questions for Mark.Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Mark Langley | YouTube (@MarkLangley) | Facebook (@MarkLangleyhorsemanship)Today's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Aviva and Stephany catch up on what’s been going on lately – Stephany talks about her 6 days with Mary Wanless, the selling of her Brooksville farm and the purchase of her new young horse, So Special!  In the Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a great question from Jamie:  If I am in a test and things start going badly and I feel unsafe – is it ok to dismount?  Thanks Jamie for a great question, and Aviva for having such a complete answer!We have a word from our Sponsor, Purina, and their Systemiq Supplement.In the interview with Kathy, Stephany delves into Kathy’s riding career, her time in the Pony  Club and all the cool people she grew up riding with.  We talk about how she evolved from Eventing to Dressage, as well as the amazing coaches she got to work with throughout her riding career.  We talk about Kathy’s beliefs and our moral responsibilities while working with horses, and you get to see why she has been a shining light in the Dressage world for a long, long time!Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Kathy Connelly | Email Kathy (KathyConnellyavf@aol.com)Link: Video Subscription SiteToday's Episode Brought to You By: Purina

In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, sponsored by EQUESTRIAN+, our interview is with Aviva herself! We talked about how she started riding, what prompted her to fall in love with dressage, the decisions she’s made and the horses she’s loved—all the pieces that have shaped her career. Aviva also shared her experience representing the U.S. at the Maccabee Games in Israel, and what it meant to her. We finished up by chatting about what she’s doing with her current horses and encouraging her to stay in the game until she and her horse Tiger do their Century Ride.Additionally, cohost Stephany Fish Crossman shares how her sessions with renowned dressage trainer Kathy Connelly are going, the ups and the downs experienced in the sport and new learning opportunities. In our “Ask the L” segment, Aviva explains how to determine when you’re ready to progress from First to Second Level and provides tips on what judges want to see to know you’re in the right place. It was a blast catching up with our hosts, and we hope you enjoy getting to know them better!This month's podcast was sponsored by Equestrian+. From short training tips to how-to videos and insider-access to private clinics and lessons, learn from top dressage experts with EQUESTRIAN+. Watch exclusive interviews and lectures, slow motion demonstrations and step-by-step tutorials taught by top-level pros and explore cross-discipline topics such as groundwork, rider fitness and stable management. Visit equestrianplus.com to sign up for a 7-day free trial with subscription.  Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestLink: Video Subscription SiteToday's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Aviva and Stephany discuss the latest L question from Sasha regarding how to ride the shallow loop in Training Level Test 3.  We go to commercial from our sponsor, Equithrive, on its supplements to make your horse’s life better and your life easier! Aviva and Stephany interview Mary Wanless, the creator of the Ride With Your Mind Rider Biomechanics system.  We talk about how Mary got started, how her program differs from the usual training people receive and how it can be an asset to any rider.  We discuss her many ways of connecting to people, including books, DVD series, her podcast and her DressageTraining.TV.  Mary talks about the differences in learning through her methods of teaching compared to a “normal” dressage lesson.  Connect with HostAviva Nebesky, horsepenhillfarm@aol.comStephany Fish Crossman, stephanyfish@gmail.com

Welcome to the Training Buzz sponsored by Cosequin. Hear a bit from FEI dressage rider and trainer Ashley Donadt as she shares strategies for dealing with competition nerves. She discusses acknowledging the source of your nerves to help take away their power, looking at the physical effects nerves have on your body and thinking about how your nerves are affecting your horse.Members of Equestrian+ can watch the full video with Donadt here. Not a member? Sign up for a free trial with subscription. Enter DTPODCAST at checkout to save 15% on your first month.COSEQUIN®, the #1 veterinarian-recommended joint health supplement brand, is excited to bring you, COSEQUIN® ASU Balance. This formula supports joint, immune, and digestive health. COSEQUIN® ASU Balance helps moderate the inflammatory responses that can cause immune and GI tract disturbances through the innovative inclusion of postbiotics and beta-glucans. The formula also includes the joint support COSEQUIN® is known for, with ingredients such as ASU, Hyaluronic Acid, and Boswellia serrata Extract. With over 30 years behind the COSEQUIN® name, you can rely on COSEQUIN® products when performance matters. To learn more, speak with your veterinarian or visit Cosequin.com.