Lehua Custer: Building Grand Prix Partnerships with Heart and Intention

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by top event rider Alyssa Phillips.  Alyssa Phillips is an American event rider based in Ocala, Florida, where she owns and operates her training and competition program. A product of the U.S. eventing development pathway and longtime student of Olympic-level rider Jennie Brannigan, Alyssa has produced multiple horses to the top of the sport. She earned a marquee career victory aboard her Holsteiner gelding Oskar at the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky CCI4*-S and was selected to represent the United States in multiple FEI Nations Cup competitions. In 2024, Alyssa was a member of the U.S. Nations Cup teams that earned second-place finishes at both CHIO Aachen and the Millstreet International CCIO4*-S, further establishing herself as one of the country’s most exciting rising stars in international eventing.   Alyssa reflects on her journey in high-performance eventing and the mindset that keeps her grounded, including:  • What she learned from stepping into the ride on a horse developed by another rider, and how she built trust, communication, and confidence in that partnership • The training philosophies and principles passed down from her mentors that shaped her approach to producing top event horses  • How she balances ambition with joy to keep the sport fun, sustainable, and in harmony with real life  • The thoughtful conditioning strategies she uses to build fitness and confidence for the toughest cross-country tracks  Join Alyssa and Sinead for an inspiring conversation with one of the sport’s most exciting young professionals about staying steady under pressure and thriving in the pursuit of excellence. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by Grand Prix dressage rider Lehua Custer.  Lehua Custer is an accomplished dressage rider and trainer who grew up in Hawaii. A longtime student of Olympic medalist and Hall of Fame horsewoman Hilda Gurney, Lehua has produced and ridden multiple horses to the FEI levels. She is best known for developing Fortunato H2O, who went on to excel in international para-dressage with U.S. rider Roxanne Trunnell, contributing to a global team podium finish. Lehua also developed and competed the talented Dutch Warmblood gelding FJ Ramzes to the Grand Prix level, earning strong results in national and CDI competition. Early in her career, Lehua received the prestigious Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Grant, which helped accelerate her rise in the high-performance ranks.   Lehua reflects on her career and the influential horses who shaped it, including:  • How training under Olympic medalist Hilda Gurney molded her foundation and mindset as a professional  • The journey of Fortunato H2O “Tuna,” from his early development to his rise as a top para-dressage horse with Roxanne Trunnell  • Her partnership with FJ Ramzes and the incredible opportunities that came from developing him to the Grand Prix level  • How prioritizing physical strength and fitness transformed not only her riding, but her confidence and clarity as a trainer  Join Lehua and Sinead for an inspiring conversation about grit, opportunity, and the power of believing in what’s possible when you fully commit to the process. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by five-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart.  Rebecca Hart is a U.S. Paralympic dressage rider from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now based in Wellington, Florida. Born with hereditary spastic paraplegia, a condition that causes progressive weakness and paralysis from the mid-back down, she has represented Team USA at five Paralympic Games: Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. Riding Floratina, she earned individual gold medals in both the Championship and Freestyle tests in Paris and helped secure team gold for the U.S. She also won a team bronze medal at the Tokyo Games with her horse El Corona Texel.   Rebecca reflects on her journey as a para-dressage athlete and the obstacles she’s overcome along the way, including:  • How she first found horses, discovered dressage, and built her early foundation in the sport  • The challenges she’s faced throughout her career and the importance of advocating for herself along the way  • How horses helped her redefine her identity, from being labeled as disabled to seeing herself as an athlete  • The journey to Paris with Floratina and what it meant to achieve gold medals and feel she had truly “made it”  Join Rebecca and Sinead for a powerful conversation about resilience, self-belief, and the unwavering passion that drives success in and out of the arena.  

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by horsemanship trainer Tristian Tucker.  Tristan Tucker grew up in Australia surrounded by horses, heavily influenced by his mother and grandfather. From a young age, he spent time alongside his mother in racing stables and progressed through pony club in novelty, jumping, and eventing disciplines. He first travelled to Europe in late 1999, where he met his lifelong mentor, Morten Thomsen. In 2011, he began competing internationally with his Grand Prix dressage horse, Grønskovlunds Marquis, and in 2012 relocated permanently to the Netherlands to further his career. In September 2015, he launched the TRT Method online training program with Dutch co-founder Conny Loonstra. The TRT Method is all about helping riders understand their horses rather than control them, trading feelings of expectation for appreciation to create more relaxed, confident partnerships. Today, from his own stable in Langenboom, Noord-Brabant, Tristan trains all levels of horses, teaches international competitors, and gives clinics around the world using his renowned TRT Method.   Tristan shares his journey and the experiences that led to the creation of his unique training approach, including:  • Growing up with horses and the influences that inspired the development of the TRT Method  • What the TRT Method is, how it works, and what makes his approach to training different from others  • How he connects his method to the world of high-performance competition  • His philosophy on teaching and guiding riders toward better communication with their horses  Join Tristan and Sinead for an insightful conversation about the TRT Method and how it helps riders build more relaxed, confident, and understanding partnerships with their horses. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation.  In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by Olympic event rider Stephen Bradley.  Stephen Bradley is a highly respected American eventer who, in 1993, won the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, becoming one of only two Americans ever to do so. He also won Canada’s Checkmate International CCI3* three years in a row. He is a two-time Pan American Games team gold medalist and in 1993 was named Equestrian Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Stephen also won the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 1996 with Dr. Dolittle. He was named to the 1992 U.S. Olympic team and has been short-listed for four additional Olympic teams as well as three U.S. World Equestrian Games teams, making him a consistent presence at the top level of the sport for more than three decades.Stephen shares his perspective on how eventing has evolved and reflects on the highlights of his successful career, including: • The most significant changes he’s witnessed in the sport over the past decade  • The lessons he learned from competing at the highest level and from his various experiences along the way  • How he managed nerves and pressure in high-level competition  • His thoughts on the public perception of eventing today  Join Stephen and Sinead for an engaging conversation about the sport of eventing and the journey of a world-class competitor. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by para dressage coach and Grand Prix dressage rider Lisa Hellmer. Lisa is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medal dressage trainer who runs LCH Equestrian in Ocala, Florida. She is also a Silver USEF Para Dressage Coach and served as the Para Dressage Development Coach for Team USA in 2022 and 2023. In 2010, Lisa graduated summa cum laude from Johnson & Wales University with a bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management and Riding. After graduation, she worked at The Hanoverian Verband in Germany, where she learned about the breed organization, started and trained young horses, and prepared them for inspections. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for training. Although she now specializes in dressage, Lisa’s foundation includes valuable experience in eventing and show jumping.  Lisa shares her journey in the horse world and how it led her to becoming a leader in para dressage, including: • What her role as the Para Dressage Development Coach entailed and how she continues to support the sport today • How her passion for dressage, and specifically para dressage, first began • The variety of jobs she’s held throughout her career and the lessons each one taught her • Why patience is essential and how giving horses time allows them to show what they’re truly capable of Join Lisa and Sinead for an inspiring conversation about her path in the equestrian world and her dedication to the sport of para dressage. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by The Equestrian College Advisor. Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for both academics and riding. Visit equestriancollegeadvisor.com to learn more and book a consultation. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by horsemanship trainer Brendan Wise.  Brendan Wise is an American rider and trainer recognized for his work in classical dressage, bridleless riding, and show jumping. He began his career in Natural Horsemanship and Western disciplines, training under John and Josh Lyons, and later founded Brendan Wise Equestrian in Fallston, Maryland, where he offers lessons, clinics, coaching, and performance work. Brendan has competed in show jumping at the National Grand Prix level and is especially known for riding his horse “Lyric” bridleless up to 1.40m in competition, proving that bridleless riding can rival traditional methods. In this episode, Brendan shares his journey in the horse world and how it ultimately led him to bridleless riding, including: • His perspective on classical vs. non-classical riding and how he applies classical principles in his training • Why prioritizing the welfare and happiness of the horse is essential, even while running a business • His path to riding and competing bridleless in the show jumping world • How and why he developed a bridleless system that trains horses to do everything a bridled horse can do Join Brendan and Sinead for an inspiring conversation about the importance of the horse–rider relationship and the ways Brendan’s work honors and strengthens that connection. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by Purdue University’s Online Certificate in Equitation Science. Rethink tradition and train with purpose as you explore the science behind how horses think, move, and learn. Register now! In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international sports photographer Shannon Brinkman.  Shannon Brinkman is an internationally recognized equestrian photographer with a career spanning over 30 years. Since beginning professionally in 1991, she has covered six Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, World Cup Finals, and the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Her work, known for capturing the artistry and movement of sport horses, has earned multiple international awards, including the Alltech International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists Media Award for Photography and honors in the FEI Solidarity World Photo Grand Prix.  In this episode, Shannon reflects on her career and passion for photographing sport horses, including: • How she first discovered photography and found her way into the equestrian world • The ways she stays inspired and creative behind the camera • What a typical competition week looks like for her and her team • The influence she hopes her images have across different equestrian communities Join Shannon and Sinead for an engaging conversation about her journey, her artistry, and the lasting impact of her work in the world of sport horses. 

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by Purdue University’s Online Certificate in Equitation Science. Rethink tradition and train with purpose as you explore the science behind how horses think, move, and learn. Register now! In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by Canadian Olympic show jumper Michel Vaillancourt. Michel Vaillancourt is a Canadian show jumper, Olympic medalist, coach, and course designer. At just 22 years old, he won the individual silver medal in show jumping at the 1976 Montréal Olympics riding Branch County. After his competitive career, he coached and served as chef d’équipe for the Canadian show jumping team at major championships. Today, he is a respected FEI course designer and has created courses for top competitions, including the Pan American Games and World Cup Finals. In this episode, Michel reflects on his remarkable career as a rider, coach, and course designer, including: • The motivation that has fueled him to stay at the top of the sport • His Olympic journey and the story behind competing at the 1976 Games • The challenges and rewards of course design and his favorite venues • How safety has evolved in the show jumping discipline Join Michel and Sinead for an engaging conversation about his lifelong contributions to the sport and the many roles he has held along the way.

This episode of In Stride is sponsored by Purdue University’s Online Certificate in Equitation Science. Rethink tradition and train with purpose as you explore the science behind how horses think, move, and learn. Register now! In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by US 5* event rider and Grand Prix show jumper Sara Kozumplik. Sara Kozumplik is a five-star event rider and Grand Prix show jumper who runs Overlook Farm North in Virginia and Overlook South in Florida. She is a certified U.S. Eventing coach and has coached national teams from Venezuela, Panama, and Barbados at international championships. She is involved in several committees and scholarships within US Eventing and US Equestrian to grow and diversify the sport, including the Strides for Equality Equestrians Ever So Sweet Scholarship. Sara also played a key role in developing TerraNova Equestrian Center and contributes to the strategic planning of major venues such as the Kentucky Horse Park, Morven Park International, Bromont International, and Millbrook Horse Trials.  In this episode, Sara shares her perspective on working with venues across the country and her efforts to make eventing more inclusive, including: • A behind-the-scenes look at the US Open at Morven Park in the fall • What she’s observed that makes events and venues successful • Ways people in the sport can help create a more welcoming and inclusive environment • Her work with the Strides for Equality Equestrians Ever So Sweet Scholarship and camps Join Sara and Sinead for an insightful discussion on keeping venues thriving and building a more inclusive future for the sport. Click here to learn more about Strides for Equality Equestrians!