Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast 81: Why Can’t Horse Shows Be Affordable?
With the WEC-USEF drama still fresh in our minds, why can’t we find a way to make horse shows more affordable? This week, we’re talking about the wonky, zig-zag path it’ll take for equestrians to get to the Olympics while sipping on mimosas. Thanks for tuning in.
Click here to stream Episode 81.
Special Guests:
Ann Glavan is an amateur rider and law student in her second year of studies at the University of Wisconsin. Prior to law school Ann spent four years as an editorial staff writer at The Chronicle of the Horse. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ann grew up competing at A circuit shows in the hunter and equitation divisions on her OTTB Happy Go Lucky. Currently Ann competes in the adult jumpers with Moji, a Fresian-Throughbred cross she purchased as a two year old.
Doug Payne is a 5-star eventer, grand prix show jumper, FEI dressage rider, USEF judge, author, clinician, and USEA certified instructor based in Aiken, S.C. Doug has a mechanical engineering degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He was first named to the USEF High Performance list in 2011 and will compete on the U.S. team at the 2019 Pan American Games. Doug designed and produced “The Rider’s Eye,” an instructional DVD along with Jimmy Wofford. His first book is titled “The Problem Horse Repair Manual.” Doug is married to Jessica Payne.
More about what we talked about in this episode:
We’re kicking off 2021 with raspberry mimosas. | @delish
The USEA is implementing a “quality over quantity” leaderboard system. | @COTH
TIEC is doubling as a coronavirus vaccine distribution center right now in North Carolina. | @COTH
Researchers are making headway in a new blood test that can help identity horses at risk of breakdown. | @BH
Special shout out to everyone who supports the show on Patreon! | @patreon
Product review: How do Arena Saddles hold up, one year later? We discuss. | @HART
Ann Glavan joins us to discuss: why are horse shows so stupid expensive? | @horsesport
With LRK3DE in jeopardy, what is the path ahead for equestrians trying to get to Tokyo? Doug Payne joins us to discuss. | @horsesport
Mailbag: “Will running a boarding barn ever be profitable?”
More about our hosts:
Jessica Payne Ellie Woznica Justine Griffin
Jessica Payne is a 32-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 22-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 32-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 this week, Ecogold, SmartPak and Arena Saddles!