Ever wanted to go to Florida for the winter but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. This month, we’re talking about what Justine learned from attending an equine dissection and… haven’t you always wanted to try combined driving? One of the world’s leading athletes tells us all about it. Thanks for tuning in.
Click here to stream Episode 145.
Special guests:
Chester Weber is the most decorated driver in the United States. His numerous accolades have yielded prestigious recognition throughout the world. The Ocala, Florida native was raised on his family’s farm, and started driving competitively at a young age, under mentor Jimmy Fairclough. When he was 18 years old, Chester was the youngest driver to be named to the United States Equestrian Team for the World Pairs Driving Championships in Beesd, the Netherlands. He earned 12 consecutive wins after advancing to the Four-in-Hand division in 1999. Then in 2008, Chester made history by becoming the first American to win an Individual Silver Medal in the Four-in-Hand FEI World Driving Championships. Chester is not only committed to promoting combined driving, but also is an avid supporter of all equestrian sports as he serves on the USET Board of Trustees and numerous committees.
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 on what we talked about in this episode:
This time we’re sippin’ on a Bloody Maria. It’s so good you’ll want to make a whole pitcher. | @tpw
The annual Bruce’s Field Grand Prix of Eventing is coming up! We can’t wait to watch. | @p&c
The USEF dropped the horse swap portion of the Talent Search Finals to reflect the new direction of ‘modern jumping.’ We discuss. | @COTH
The National Horse Show, the longest-running horse show in America, is moving to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina. | @COTH
Doug stops by to recap his winter weeks spent in Wellington and Ocala, and has some advice for folks who are considering a Florida show season. | @heelsdownmag
Combined driving superstar Chester Weber is here to give us a 101 on the sport, and why you won’t want to miss Live Oak International this year. | @LOI
Justine attended a three-day equine dissection. We discuss what she learned from the event. | @heelsdownmag
Mail bag: Does anyone else struggle with hoarding tack and other horse gear? | @heelsdownmag
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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: Live Oak International, Ecogold and HITS Horse Shows LLC.
Featured photo by Erin Gilmore Photography