Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Episode 136: On Building Your Dream Barn
It’s Spring! And we have the latest fashion trends for your riding outfits (hint: there’s no florals). This week, we’re talking about how the Payne’s designed and built their dream barn, and a special friend of the show stops by. Thanks for tuning in.
Click here to stream Episode 136.
Special guests:
Sally Spickard is the co-owner and Managing Editor of Eventing Nation, the sport of three-day eventing’s home of news and ridiculous commentary the world over. Sally lives in California, where she prioritizes her chihuahua, Cooper above all other things and currently places Michael Jung telling her she had a “good question” at the top of her career achievements list.
Michael Lenard, one of the co-founders at Horse Spot, is the CFO and heads up Sales and Customer Success efforts. Michael has nearly two decades of experience in horse show management. He has managed USEF competitions, is an experienced USEF show secretary, a newly USEF licensed ‘r’ (“small r”) Jumper Judge, and an accomplished rider. Before venturing into the equestrian tech and management industry full-time, Michael built a successful career in public accounting and consulting. Michael is an avid amateur show jumper, competing through the 1.40m level.
Lindsay Lenard is a co-founder of Horse Spot and the lead product designer behind the brand. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband Christopher who is also a partner and the lead engineer behind Horse Spot. They met while working at horse shows the summer after college. Her background is working at global advertising agencies and for tech startups. When she’s not creating, you can find her out at the barn or taking her dog “Arlo” to the beach.
More on what we talked about in this episode:
We’re drinking a yummy Michigan Mule this month, thanks to our friends at Traverse City Horse Shows. | @SLF
Don’t forget: head to our Instagram for your chance to win a $50 gift card from TCHS! | @heelsdownhappyhour
Ellie is in New Mexico this month learning more about positive reinforcement training. Stay tuned for a full report on a later episode. | @VNT
Jess has the scoop on the American riders headed to the Luhmuehlen 5* this month. | @luhmuehlen
For the first time ever, there are three American riders at the top of the FEI World Rankings right now. | @COTH
Don’t miss out: This is your last chance to take advantage of our coupon code, 20% off all orders at SynNutra Equine through May. Use “heelsdown20” at checkout.
Produce Review: Belt It Out Goods just released their new colors for spring! | @heelsdownmag
It’s been four years since Jess and Doug moved into their official Payne Equestrian headquarters in North Carolina. Jess dishes on how they dreamed up and built their very own dream barn. | @payneequestrian
Michael and Lindsay from Horse Spot stopped by to talk about how their tech is changing the game for horse shows. | @HorseSpot
Plus: Sally stops by to remeninse and talk about her brand new show, the Go Eventing Podcast! | @EN
Mail bag: What are the best looks for riding western? Favorite types of jeans to ride in? | @heelsdownmag
More about our hosts:
Jessica Payne is a 35-year-old international event rider who is rarely seen without her long-haired chihuahua under her arm. She was born in London, Ontario but grew up in Franklin, Tenn. and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Animal Science. She once lost the tip of her pinky finger clipping her 4* horse, and husband Doug says she can “talk to anyone including a wall….and they will like it!”
Ellie Woznica is a 24-year-old freelance book designer and horse trainer because she couldn’t choose which career to pursue and her mom said she wouldn’t make the decision for her. She grew up showing the hunters and jumpers, but in university, she learned to ride western and fell in love with reining.
Justine Griffin is an award winning 34-year-old journalist who has written about everything from horses to high profile CEOs to her ovaries. (She donated her eggs once.) Two things she loves the most? Whippet puppies and cheese. Justine is a firm believer in unicorns and feminism. So take everything she says with a grain of salt.
Many thanks to our sponsors: Yanmar, SynNutra Equine and Belt It Out Goods.