Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast Episode 117: Mission Accomplished
Everybody ‘round here is nursing a serious horse show hangover. But never fear, we’ve got all the updates from the Maryland 5-star, the Thoroughbred Makeover, the Pan Ams and more this week. Also… maybe some Halloween costume inspiration. Thanks for tuning in.
Click here to stream Episode 117.
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.
More about what we talked about on this episode:
This week, we’re drinking “The Thoroughbred,” courtesy of Tootie’s Tavern at the Kentucky Horse Park. | @TT
From Mia Farley and Phelps to Austin O’Connor’s win, Jess has all the highlights from the Maryland 5-star. | @horse&hound
Equestrian sport is officially confirmed for the 2028 Olympic Games coming to L.A. | @EN
The Pan Ams are happening now and the dressage results are already inspiring. | @horsesport
Thanks to everyone who continues to support our show on Patreon. | @patreon
Product Review: Amplify by Purina, a fat supplement for horses. | @purina
Doug stops by to talk about his go at Maryland, what’s next for the horses in his string, and what the future of the Payne Equestrian program will look like.
You asked, Justine answers! She gives a recap of her Thoroughbred Makeover experience. | @heelsdown
Mailbag: Do you have a good horse-involved Halloween costume? Share your pics with us in the Facebook group!
More about our hosts:
Jessica Payne is an 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’s now a coach, a mom and one-half of Payne Equestrian, a full-service eventing, show jumping and dressage operation based in North Carolina with her Olympian husband, Doug. Jess once lost the tip of her pinky finger clipping her 5* horse, and husband Doug says she can “talk to anyone including a wall….and they will like it!”
Ellie Woznica happily lives on a mountain in northern Pennsylvania in her horses’ front yard. She works from home as a graphic designer, manure mucker, and zoo keeper, but only gets paid for one of those gigs. Ellie grew up showing hunter/jumpers (and still does) but in college she learned to ride western and fell in love with reining and reined cow horse. Outside of horses, Ellie loves to knit, whittle, and write! Her boyfriend says she has too many hobbies.
Justine Griffin is an award winning 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 lifelong lover of Thoroughbreds and is a native Floridian.
Many thanks to our sponsors this month: Purina!
Image courtesy of Sarah Schaaf Photography