USEA Podcast

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.

In the quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year, this episode takes a moment to pause and look back on 2025. Nicole Brown is joined by Rob Burk and Diarmuid Byrne to reflect on the moments that defined the season, from standout performances and rising depth to the stories that reminded us why this sport matters. With one eye firmly on what comes next, the conversation also begins to turn toward 2026, as the next championship cycle starts to take shape.

This episode takes you inside one of the most ambitious equine-athlete research projects in the sport, as leading veterinary clinician Dr. Cris Navas and five-star rider Jennie Brannigan unpack six years of groundbreaking work on arrhythmias, fitness tracking and performance monitoring. From the heart-rate data that reshapes conditioning plans to the real-world decisions it informs at the top level, they reveal how science and horsemanship meet to keep event horses healthier, sounder and competitive for longer. It is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how numbers can calibrate feel, guide welfare-driven training, and give riders the confidence to make better calls for the horses they know best. Plus, Will Coleman drops in with his own perspective from inside the program.

This episode of the USEA Podcast is all about the future stars of the sport. We dive into the USEA Young Event Horse Program with two riders who topped the 2025 USEA YEH championships with their promising young mounts on opposite sides of the country, Nicholas Cwick and Arielle Aharoni. From how the format really works, to producing confidence in 4- and 5-year-olds, to what it takes to give young horses the best start in the sport, they take us through their seasons and the horses who rose to the moment. A great listen if you want the inside view on bringing the next generation up the levels.

Plus, Nicole speaks with Michaela Callie, Executive Director of We Ride Together, about safeguarding, abuse prevention, and the importance of education in sport. Michaela introduces Out of Bounds, a new PSA series exploring survivor experience, grooming, and institutional response, alongside Agano, a free weighted comfort horse that connects individuals to support and resources.

👉 Watch the Out of Bounds series, order Agano, and explore free safeguarding resources at https://www.weridetogether.today.
👉 Follow We Ride Together on social media for ongoing education and updates: @weridetogether.today.

To mark 400 episodes of the USEA Official Podcast, we are shining a light on the heart of the sport. The voices, stories and experiences that make US eventing what it is.

In this special episode, USEA CEO Rob Burk reflects on the vision behind the podcast, the power of transparency and community, and the shared passion that connects riders across the country. We also hear from two riders within the eventing family, whose journeys remind us why this sport matters and who inspire us with resilience, grit and joy in the process - Rebecca Barber Tyler, event rider and business owner, reflecting on her journey, her cancer diagnosis and recovery, and her role in the sport today, and Miriam Keefer, a rising star at just 16, sharing how she discovered eventing in a totally different setting and how she’s now competing and setting her sights on the future.

In addition, we talk to this year's Keynote speaker at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Natalie Hummel, to hear more about her work in the space of coaching riders on how to be their best mentally and how it can have an outward effect on their performance in the saddle. 

This episode is a celebration of the people who make eventing special and a thank you to everyone who has listened, supported and shared their experiences along the way.

Here’s to 400 episodes, and to everything still to come.

Few horses capture the heart of fans quite like Off The Record. Known simply as Timmy to his team, he has become one of the most beloved eventers on the international circuit. An Aachen winner, World Championship team silver medalist, and five-star campaigner, Timmy's story is one of grit, consistency, and the magic of the right partnership.

In this episode of Through the Owners' Eyes, Nicole is joined by syndicate members Rich and Roxanne Booth and Vicky Castegren to share the journey behind Will Coleman's superstar. From Timmy's cheeky beginnings to his historic Aachen triumph, they reflect on the highs, the heartbreaks, and the camaraderie that makes syndicate ownership so special.

The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is just around the corner and this year, it’s all about access, transparency, and celebration. Nicole Brown is joined by CEO Rob Burk and outgoing President Lou Leslie for a full preview of what’s in store in New Orleans from December 11–14.

From the first-ever “open door” format that welcomes members into nearly every meeting, to keynote speaker Natalie Hummel’s work on mindset and performance, this year’s convention promises to be as forward-thinking as it is fun. Expect good company, big ideas, and plenty of inspiration as the USEA community comes together to reflect, connect, and look ahead.

The countdown is on for two of the biggest weekends of the season: the US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park and the MARS Maryland 5 Star. With a million dollars in prize money across the Equestrian Open series, all eyes turn to Leesburg, Virginia, where Morven’s rolling old turf, iconic backdrop, and Derek di Grazia’s cross-country test promise a true championship showcase.

Nicole Brown is joined by Sharon White and Woodge Fulton, two riders with deep ties to the venue and big ambitions for the Open. With prestige, prize money, and pride on the line, the Open at Morven will be a defining moment for US eventing. Both riders also talk about the importance of the second U.S. five-star at Maryland and the two features for Young Horses, the USEF/USEA Developing Horse Championships at Morven and the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships which kick off at Maryland before heading to California for the West Coast Championships

The USEA Classic Series is more than a competition, it’s a chance to experience eventing the way it used to be. From roads and tracks to the thrill of steeplechase and the all-important 10-minute box, it’s tradition, horsemanship, and education all rolled into one.

Nicole is joined by Max Corcoran and Amanda Miller to break down what makes the Classics so special, why they matter in today’s sport, and how riders of every level can get involved. Expect stories from behind the scenes, insight into the learning opportunities, and even a glimpse at Amanda’s own journey from competitor to official, with a first five-star on her horizon.

In this episode of the USEA Official Podcast, Nicole Brown recaps the American Eventing Championships at Galway Downs with Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Adequan® Advanced Final winner Tommy Greengard.

Frankie shares her perspective from the commentary booth, highlighting the atmosphere, volunteer power, and standout performances across every level. Tommy reflects on his $60,000 win with the talented eight-year-old That’s Me Z, from a bold cross-country to the pressure of show jumping under the lights.

From grassroots stories to top-level triumphs, this year’s AEC proved why it remains one of the sport’s most inspiring showcases.