Episode 9: Ride with High Rollers

If you’ve ever daydreamed (like we have) of competing at the National Finals Rodeo, but are nowhere close to riding at that level, there’s still a way for you to take a run with the high rollers in Las Vegas. We talk to Amy Vesneske and her daughter, Addison, about their plans to enter the All-In-Barrel Race. It’s one of the ways we strive for our goal of being “all in” on life.

Our special guest, Hayley Forsburg from Purina and Wilco Farm Stores, shares her wealth of knowledge with Kathryn, Elle, and Julia. They discuss the wide range of feed and supplements available, drawing from the combined knowledge of the two farm essential companies.

On this episode, we examine that important thing between you and your horse: the saddle. Kathryn, Elle and Julia tell their stories of what can go wrong when you don't have the right saddle. Sometimes the saddle doesn't fit the horse, and sometimes the saddle doesn't fit the rider. We talk to expert saddle fitter, Wendy Winn of Burns Saddlery, who shares her secrets for finding the perfect fit for both.

Getting into horses or expanding your horse world can be expensive. Kathryn, Elle, and Julia share the tactics they used to get their dream horses and facilities through trial and error. They also dissect horse classified ads, to tell you what they look out for when shopping for themselves or clients.

Following your passion can be difficult and scary. Kathryn, Elle and Julia talk about how they overcame their fears and obstacles to follow their passion for horses. They are joined by Anna Meah, who followed her passion from Short Acres Farm all the way to the Kentucky Derby with famous Thoroughbred, California Chrome.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been riding your entire life, things often don’t go as planned. That means we are constantly learning and sometimes even scaring ourselves, and we’re going to share some of the wild stories in our careers. Our guest Amy Ruge is a well-known trainer with years of experience in English & Western. She shares her own stories with our hosts, Julia Kubicek, Elle Tilkin, and Kathryn Tilkin (who joins us remotely on the road in Arizona).

From first learning to ride in a field to opening our own stables, horses have taught us a lot about ourselves. We’ve learned that trying to be the best for our families and our clients isn’t always easy. Our guest, Amy Vesneske, has been through it all, from high-end competitions as a teenager to life as a college equestrian team member, where crying in a porta-potty, fake IDs, and line dancing were among the bumps in the road.

I want a horse, now what? Whether you dream of barrel racing or flying over jumps or maybe just want your first ride, listen to our stories of buying, selling, and leasing horses in some of the most unexpected places. Our guest, Sally Parks, the largest horse seller in the Western United States, will share what to do or not to do, no matter how big your budget. Maybe our journey will help your journey.

Our expert trainers Kathryn and Elle Tilkin and Julia Kubicek share their ”aha” moments, when they first realized their special connection to horses. They also share countless unusual experiences to come, like pulling a horse trailer with a hot rod and quitting the corporate world for life on a farm. Special guest Jessica Wisdom shares how she stumbled into horses and made it to National Champion.

A new, one-of-a-kind podcast about all things horses is coming soon.