Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Episode 106: Mind Your Melon
We’re kicking off the new year by minding our melons… seriously. We’re talking to a safety pro about that interesting Virginia Tech helmet study, air vests and more. Plus Doug stops by to give us an update on the winter circuit in Wellington.Thanks for tuning in.
Click here to stream Episode 106.
Special Guests:
Doug Payne is an Olympic 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.
Catherine Winter is the owner of Ride EquiSafe, a tack store that specializes in equestrian rider safety equipment and helping you look fashionable using it. They offer the broadest selection of safety products, paired with luxury equestrian apparel sourced from smaller European brands so that you stand out for the right reasons.
More about what we talked about in this episode:
We’re celebrating Dry January with this tasty mocktail. | @teaspot
Jess has the scoop on the Major League Show Jumping schedule for 2023. | @MLSJ
What are the pros and cons of feeding with a hay net? New research weighs them. | @KER
Salvino and Cannon Creek are the USEF Horses of the Year. | @COTH
Thanks to everyone who continues to support us on Patreon. | @patreon
Catherine Winter from Ride EquiSafe stopped by to talk about the Virginia Tech helmet study, air vests and other safety concerns for equestrians. | @RideEquiSafe
Doug Payne is fresh off a trip to Wellington and gives us a recap. He also opens up on when it’s time to take a lesson with another pro. | @PE
Mailbag: Is it a good idea to have horses around during my wedding?
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 this month: Ecogold!