USEA Podcast

What if improving your partnership with your horse started long before you ever stepped into the saddle? This week on the USEA Official Podcast, renowned horseman, author, and eventer Tik Maynard joins us to explore the power of groundwork and how it can transform the way we communicate with our horses. From everyday activities like grooming and leading to more advanced exercises, Maynard explains why groundwork isn't necessarily about adding more to your training schedule, but about becoming more thoughtful and present in the moments you already share with your horse. Drawing on his experiences competing at Road to the Horse and the lessons that inspired his latest book, Starting in the Middle, Maynard shares why focusing on the process rather than the outcome can lead to a more rewarding experience for both horse and rider. Plus, Maynard offers practical groundwork challenges that listeners can incorporate into their own routines, whether they're just getting started or looking to deepen an established partnership. From leading on an unfamiliar side to becoming more observant during grooming, this episode is full of insights and simple exercises designed to help riders build stronger connections with their horses, one thoughtful interaction at a time.

You asked, and five-star eventer Ariel Grald answered! This week on the USEA Official Podcast, Grald sits down to tackle listener questions about the horses, experiences, and lessons that have shaped her career. Fresh off a win in the USEA Open Intermediate Championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds with the exciting 8-year-old Obalix, Grald shares what makes the young horse so special and why his trip to the Kentucky Horse Park was carefully planned with an eye toward his future. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Grald reflects on the accident she suffered at Bromont in 2025 and the physical and mental challenges of returning to the saddle. She shares advice for young riders hoping to make a career in the sport, including why they should ride every horse they can and resist comparing their journey to someone else's, and offers insight into her individualized approach to producing horses and preparing them for competition. Plus, Grald looks back on one of the proudest moments of her career at the 2022 World Championships with Leamore Master Plan and shares how the horse who took her around the globe is enjoying his well-earned retirement. From championship wins and career-defining horses to lucky habits, listener questions, and lessons learned along the way, get to know Ariel Grald beyond the results in this week's episode of the USEA Official Podcast.

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is finally upon us! The USEA Official Podcast heads behind the scenes of the 2026 AEC at the Kentucky Horse Park with co-organizer Mary Fike, course builder Mick Costello, and EEI's Competition Director Louise Gilliam. From more than 200 cross-country fences to hundreds of volunteers, the trio shares what it takes to bring one of the biggest weeks on the U.S. eventing calendar to life. They also share their best advice for competitors arriving in Kentucky, what makes the AEC experience special at every level, and a few stories from behind the scenes. Whether you're competing, volunteering, spectating, or following along from home, get ready for a week that celebrates the horses, people, and journeys that make eventing so special.

In this special Q&A episode of the USEA Podcast, five-star eventer Meghan O'Donoghue and upper-level rider Kelty O'Donoghue answer USEA member questions about all things off-the-track Thoroughbreds. From what they look for in an OTTB prospect to conformation, retraining, soundness, hoof care, and everything in between, the sisters share the knowledge they've gained producing Thoroughbreds to the highest levels of the sport—including Meghan's five-star partners Pirate and Palm Crescent. Whether you're shopping for your first OTTB or hoping to develop your next upper-level partner, this episode is packed with practical advice and firsthand experience. Meghan and Kelty discuss the qualities they value most in an event horse, how they approach transitioning Thoroughbreds into new careers, and the management practices that help these incredible athletes thrive long after they leave the racetrack.

For many horse lovers, becoming a professional rider is the dream—but it's far from the only way to build a fulfilling career in eventing. In this episode of the USEA Official Podcast, host Nicole Brown is joined by organizer and licensed official Emily Holmes, championship groom, organizer, and former USEA President Max Corcoran, and Eventing Nation co-publisher Sally Spickard to discuss the many careers that help keep the sport running. Together, they share the winding paths that led them to where they are today, the lessons they've learned along the way, and the advice they would give to anyone hoping to turn their passion for horses into a profession. From media and event management to officiating and grooming, this episode is a reminder that there's more than one way to make your mark in the sport of eventing.

The USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships are always a favorite on the USEA calendar and this year's event did not disappoint. With records broken and smiles all around, the first ever standalone Championship event at Stable View was a massive success. USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown caught up with Stephanie Counts, longtime coach to several members of the Auburn University eventing team, who, for the first time ever, also brought an Interscholastic team in the Silver Linings Equestrian Center crew. Also joining Brown to recap the fun of the weekend is Devon Tresan, USEA EA21 athlete and member of the University of Georgia winning team. From preparation to teamwork to the coveted Spirit Award, they cover it all in this week's episode of the USEA Podcast!

Fresh off of the heels of a U.S. win at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, the crew sits down to recap the weekend in the bluegrass and all the pairs that impressed during the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L competitions. From well-deserved wins, to horses who won our hearts, to a moment that USEA CEO Rob Burk said will live in his heart forever, this episode recaps every moment from last week's top-class competition.

In this episode of the USEA Podcast, we kick things off with a quick but insightful conversation with Amy Dorm of Marshall & Sterling Equine Insurance, who shares a few key tips on navigating coverage and making sure you’re set up with the right policy for your horse. From there, we dive into the fascinating world of cross-country course design with Adri Doyle and Beth Perkins—two of the leading female designers in the U.S. They take listeners behind the scenes of what it really takes to build a course, from balancing challenge and safety to understanding how horses read questions on course. The conversation explores everything from terrain to the impact of decoration, frangible technology, and how thoughtful design can shape the entire rider experience. Adri and Beth also share their personal journeys into course design and offer valuable advice for anyone interested in getting involved—especially women looking to make their mark in this space. It’s an engaging and eye-opening look at the creativity, strategy, and dedication that go into designing the courses we ride every weekend.

Eventing couldn’t run without dedicated volunteers, and this week on the USEA Official Podcast, host Nicole Brown speaks to Caroline Greathouse, longtime volunteer at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and Liz Poole, experienced British five-star volunteer who’s now based in the U.S. They chat about how Caroline and Liz started volunteering in the sport, their tips for getting involved, and some of their favorite jobs. If you’re interested in volunteering, this is a can’t miss episode! If you’re interested in volunteering, this is a can’t miss episode!

It's that time of year again! Time for one of the favorite USEA Podcast episodes of the year - the USEA's Big Valentine's Quiz! This year, Nicole challenged U.S. eventers Ryan and Lillian Wood against New Zealand's Sam and Brayden Lissington. Which country will come out on top? Tune in to hear which couple has the strongest trivia knowledge about the sport, pop culture, and each other to claim the win! Subscribe to the USEA Official Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodBean, or Stitcher, or click below to listen in!

Welcome back to the USEA Official Podcast and for this New Year special, we’re taking on one of the biggest conversations in equestrian sport: social liscence. What it is, why it matters, and how every one of us plays a role in the future of eventing. Olympic champion, five-star winner, USEF Chief of Sport, and USEA EA21 Director of Coaching David O’Connor joins the show to unpack trust, education, safety, and responsibility, and how the sport can evolve while keeping its core values at the center.