Episodes

  • 795: USDF Youth Programs, USDF Certified Instructor Susan Harris Perellis, Fie Anderson on Training Young Stallions

    795: USDF Youth Programs, USDF Certified Instructor Susan Harris Perellis, Fie Anderson on Training Young Stallions
    Jun 30 2026

    We are talking all things education, development, and the future of our sport! We chat with Sarah Delahanty from USDF about youth programs and the incredible opportunities available to young riders as they grow in dressage. Next, we are joined by Fie Andersen of Equito to discuss training young stallions! Fie shares her experience, insights, and what goes into developing young horses with the goal of creating successful dressage partners. And last, we had the pleasure of speaking with USDF Certified Instructor Susan Harris Perellis of Spring Run Farm of KY! Susan celebrated an incredible milestone; her 50th year hosting a show at her farm and sharing her passion for dressage, education, and creating opportunities for riders. Join us for another episode filled with inspiration, education, and stories from the dressage community!

    GUESTS AND LINKS FOR EPISODE 795:

    • Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
    • Premier Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products
    • Additional Sponsors: US Rider, Spalding Labs
    • Guest: Sarah Delahanty - USDF Youth Programs
    • Guest: Fie Andersen of Equito | Facebook
    • Guest: Susan Harris Perellis | Spring Run Farm | Facebook
    • Book Club: Stable Core Training by Joyce Kramer
    • Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
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    59 mins
  • Dressage Today S7E9: Unsung Hero Interview with Jennifer Mutchler

    Dressage Today S7E9: Unsung Hero Interview with Jennifer Mutchler
    Jun 23 2026
    In this month’s episode, Aviva and Stephany interview Jennifer Mutchler, owner and operator of Half Pass Farm in Catlett, Virginia. Jennifer is our second Unsung Hero (formerly Hometown Hero, we like “unsung” better!) and was nominated by Sandy Mueller. She has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal, taking several different horses (and breeds) to the Grand Prix level. She trains, teaches and breeds a few warmbloods each year from their Virginia location, and is well known in the area for matching the right people with the right horses! We really enjoyed chatting with Jennifer, especially because she and Aviva have another connection between them – take a listen to hear what it is!In our Ask the L section Aviva clarifies a question from a listener about a previous L Question. Aviva and Stephany catch up on their various recent exploits, and they play “where in the world is Stephany?” as she records from a layover in an airport!As always, if you like what we do, please share it with your friends, on social media, hit the “LIKE” button and subscribe!We are so grateful for our numerous sponsors – we must be doing something right!Take a listen now!About This Episode’s Sponsors: Tribute, KPP, and FarnamTributeGreat partnerships are built on trust — and that’s foundational at Tribute Equine Nutrition. As a family-owned company safely making their feeds right here in the USA, they’re celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by giving back through horses. Every bag of Tribute sold helps support PATH International’s Equine Services for Heroes programs serving veterans through the healing power of horses. Plus, their limited-edition Patriotic Horse Treats are here for summer. New to Tribute? Get a free personalized feeding plan and your first bag free at TributeEquineNutrition.com.KPP Is your horse suffering from digestive tract issues, such as diarrhea, colic or hindgut imbalances? Does he need a high-grain diet? Is he under stress? Neigh-Lox® ADVANCED can help. Neigh-Lox ADVANCED is a scientifically formulated blend of ingredients that works synergistically to maintain a healthy stomach, small intestine, and hindgut. It contains long-acting gastric buffers and coating agents to maintain a normal stomach pH. It provides an effective probiotic to support complete digestion of starch and sugars in the foregut, helping maintain a healthy hindgut. And it supplies broad-spectrum prebiotics to sustain a healthy balance of beneficial microbes and well-balanced microbiome. For more information, visit KPPusa.com or call 859-873-2974. FarnamThis episode is brought to you by Farnam, celebrating 80 years of trusted equine care, and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control, a new fly spray for horses. When your horse needs to stay focused, it helps to take flies out of the equation. Endure Gold uses brand-new, EPA-approved ingredients never before seen in equine care to annihilate flies, ticks, and mosquitoes. This advanced formula delivers fast knockdown and up to 14 days of fly protection you can trust. Discover fly protection with Endure Gold from Farnam. Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Jennifer Mutchler, owner and operator of Half Pass Farm in Catlett, VirginiaOur Sponsors this month: Tribute, KPP, and Farnam
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    54 mins
  • Dressage Today S7 E8: Interview with Lauren Chumley

    Dressage Today S7 E8: Interview with Lauren Chumley
    Jun 15 2026
    In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, sponsored by Tribute, we talk to Grand Prix dressage rider Lauren Chumley about her superstar partner Leeloo Dallas and the Dressage Foundation Anne Barlow-Ramsay grant she and the mare received in 2024, her experience training a variety of breeds for dressage and her passion for teaching up-and-coming dressage professionals to prioritize developing young horses for the sport.As always, if you love our podcasts, make sure to subscribe, like and share them with your friends!About Lauren ChumleyLauren Chumley, who’s often referred to by her peers as the “coolest dressage trainer,” wasn’t born into a horse family, but even from a young age the telltale signs that she indeed had the recessive horse gene were there. From the moment she could read, she started pouring over every horse book she could get her hands on and amassed an unusually large collection of Breyer horses for a 12-year-old that she still has to this day.Lauren pleaded for riding lessons, but her parents who came from humble means thought the “hobby” was too expensive. It was her grandmother, however, who would eventually turn her riding dreams into a reality. One fortuitous summer, Lauren went to stay with her grandparents at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia, where her grandfather was stationed. When her grandmother decided she wanted to learn how to ride, Lauren jumped at the chance to take riding lessons with her on the base.The now decorated Grand Prix dressage rider laughs that her parents likely never forgave her grandmother for fostering her budding passion. Following her introduction to riding at Quantico, Lauren started taking lessons at a local barn in Hamilton, Ohio, where she quickly found her calling in dressage.At 14, she started training with dressage trainer Rebecca Stromatt and went on to also worked for Sorum Fjord Farm in Lebanon, Ohio, one of the largest Norwegian Fjord breeding farms in the country, where she gained a wealth of knowledge and experience working with different breeds. After attending clinics with Grand Prix dressage rider Silke Rembacz for three consecutive years, Lauren was invited to join Silke’s team as an assistant trainer.In 2011, she branched out to start her own training and sales business at Hilltop Farm based out of New Jersey and Florida. Today, she is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist with distinction and has made her mark in both dressage and eventing, proving her diverse talent as a rider. Lauren, who regularly works with Michael Bragdell, has competed multiple self-trained horses through Grand Prix and has earned many USDF year-end and all-breeds awards at the national levels.In 2024, she received one of two Dressage Foundation Anne Barlow-Ramsay grants for U.S.-bred horses with her then 8-year-old home-bred Dutch Warmblood mare Leeloo Dallas, who she is currently competing with at the Grand Prix level. She and one of her other current Grand Prix mounts, Santa Barbara DASH also have an amazing partnership and won the 3* Intermediate I Freestyle at the 2022 Dressage at Devon during a downpour.Lauren is a regular competitor at the USEF Festival of Champions, Dressage at Devon, USDF Regional Championships and the US Dressage Finals. She has high hopes for her pipeline of North American-bred young horses and hopes to start them in the FEI young horse classes in the future.About This Episode’s Sponsor: TributeWhat if your horse’s nutrition only changed when it truly mattered? That’s the philosophy behind Tribute Equine Nutrition. As a fixed-formula brand, they don’t make changes unless new research shows they can make their feeds meaningfully better—supporting things like digestibility, nutrient absorption, and overall performance. That’s why Tribute Equine Nutrition is upgrading every formula in their lineup, building on improvements made to their best-sellers and rolling those advancements out across 2026.To celebrate, Tribute has hidden golden tickets in random bags—worth up to a year’s supply of feed for one horse. Horse owners can also get a free, personalized feeding plan, and new customers receive their first bag shipped free. Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com and click “Get a Feed Plan” to learn more.Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Lauren ChumleyOur Sponsors this month: Tribute
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • USEF Grand Prix Championships, Jodie Kelly-Bexley, Ellesse Gundersen

    USEF Grand Prix Championships, Jodie Kelly-Bexley, Ellesse Gundersen
    Jun 15 2026

    On today’s show, Reese & Megan are talking all about the 2026 USEF Grand Prix Championships held at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, from May 13–17.

    First, we welcome Jodie Kelly-Bexley to the show to chat about her impressive 6th place finish aboard her very own Grayton Beach. Jodie shares her experience at the championships, her partnership with Grayton Beach, and what it means to compete at this level.

    Next, we sit down with championship winner Ellesse Gundersen to discuss her unforgettable experience at the championships and life with her incredible partner, Quintessential 4. Ellesse shares insights into their journey together, preparation for competition, and what makes Quintessential 4 such a special horse.

    GUESTS AND LINKS FOR EPISODE 794:

    • Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
    • Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
    • Premier Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products
    • Guest: Jodie Kelly - Website | Facebook | Instagram
    • Guest: Ellesse Gundersen - Website | Facebook | Instagram
    • Book Club: Fur Mama by Diana du Pont
    • Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
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    51 mins
  • American Dressage Mentoring Program, Robert Dover, Kendall Cox, Laura St. Claire, The Dressage Foundation, by Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control

    American Dressage Mentoring Program, Robert Dover, Kendall Cox, Laura St. Claire, The Dressage Foundation, by Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
    May 30 2026

    First, we chat with Kendall Cox, assistant to Olympian Robert Dover, and learn all about the American Dressage Mentoring Program! This incredible program supports youth dressage development and focuses on nurturing young riders as they work toward achieving their goals in the sport. Next, we sit down with Laura St. Clair to talk about how her ICONEQ website is helping support the American Dressage Mentoring Program and the community efforts. Finally, Sara and Jenny join us to share exciting details about the new grant through The Dressage Foundation that will help support riding schools across America. It’s an inspiring episode focused on education, mentorship, and growing the future of dressage!

    GUESTS AND LINKS FOR EPISODE 793:

    • Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
    • Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
    • Premier Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products
    • Guest: Kendall Cox - Facebook | Instagram
    • Guest: Laura St. Clair - Website | Facebook
    • Guest: The Dressage Foundation - Website | Facebook
    • Book Club: Fur Mama by Diana du Pont
    • Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Dressage Today S7 E7: Interview with Chelsea Canedy, Author of “Finding Purpose"

    Dressage Today S7 E7: Interview with Chelsea Canedy, Author of “Finding Purpose"
    May 26 2026
    In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, Stephany and Aviva interview dressage rider, upper-level eventer, mom and life-long learner Chelsea Canedy. The avid Mustang and meditation advocate talks about her debut memoir Finding Purpose: A Life Managing the Passion, Compulsion, and Borderline Addiction Called “Horses.”The book documents Chelsea’s time with horses and how they’ve shaped the trajectory of her life and gives readers a behind-the-scenes’ view of what it’s like to compete at the upper levels and the inner work that sustains it. Blending raw personal stories with lessons from her decade-long meditation practice and career studying equine behavior, the lifelong horsewoman reflects on resilience, identity and the joy of choosing a life built on passion.We also talked to Chelsea about how publishing her memoir has impacted the conversation she’s part of in the horse world, her beloved horses and how each is doing and many points of connection all horses lovers can relate to. This was such a fun interview; we know you’ll love listening to Chelsea, too, and will likely also find many points of connection with her!In this episode, Aviva and Stephany also catch up on what’s been happening in their respective horse worlds. Stephany talks about her recent venture up to WEC Ocala to compete with Dante, and Aviva is focused on avoiding the heat as much as possible as the unofficial summer kicks off.In our Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a question from listener Mary about collection and what judges expect to see at Second Level. Listen to get her keen advice!And as always if you enjoy our podcasts, please like and share them on social media!About This Episode's Sponsors: Farnam, Tribute and KPPFarnamThis episode is brought to you by Farnam, celebrating 80 years of trusted equine care, and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control, a new fly spray for horses. When your horse needs to stay focused, it helps to take flies out of the equation. Endure Gold uses brand-new, EPA-approved ingredients never before seen in equine care to annihilate flies, ticks, and mosquitoes. This advanced formula delivers fast knockdown and up to 14 days of fly protection you can trust. Discover fly protection with Endure Gold from Farnam.TributeWhat if your horse’s nutrition only changed when it truly mattered? That’s the philosophy behind Tribute Equine Nutrition. As a fixed-formula brand, they don’t make changes unless new research shows they can make their feeds meaningfully better—supporting things like digestibility, nutrient absorption, and overall performance. That’s why Tribute Equine Nutrition is upgrading every formula in their lineup, building on improvements made to their best-sellers and rolling those advancements out across 2026. To celebrate, Tribute has hidden golden tickets in random bags—worth up to a year’s supply of feed for one horse. Horse owners can also get a free, personalized feeding plan, and new customers receive their first bag shipped free. Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com and click “Get a Feed Plan” to learn more.KPPHas your horse been diagnosed with a neurological or muscular disorder? Is he showing signs of muscle wasting and impaired balance or coordination? Studies show that supplemented water-soluble natural vitamin E can reach a horse’s brain and spinal cord through the blood-brain barrier, where it can benefit horses with neurological issues. If your horse has any of these problems, Elevate® W.S., a natural vitamin liquid, can help. A research-proven, powerful antioxidant, Elevate maintains healthy muscle, nerve, and immune function. It does this by delivering a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and retained in a horse’s tissues. For more information, visit KPPusa.com or call 859-873-2974. Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Chelsea Canedy | FacebookOur Sponsors this month: Farnam, Tribute, KPP
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Marketing for riders with Emma Claire Stephens, Mary Zarek Kadar rides with Steffen Peters, Cindi Wylie becomes FEI 3* Judge

    Marketing for riders with Emma Claire Stephens, Mary Zarek Kadar rides with Steffen Peters, Cindi Wylie becomes FEI 3* Judge
    May 15 2026

    This week on the Dressage Radio Show, we’ve got a fantastic lineup that takes you from the energy of a major international event to a once-in-a-lifetime riding experience, and finally into the judge’s booth at the highest levels of the sport. We start things off at the FEI Dressage World Cup, where we’re joined by Emma Claire Stephens. Emma gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her marketing business and what it really takes to promote riders, brands, and events in today’s dressage world. Next, we shift gears to a truly special riding experience. Mary Zarek Kadar joins us to talk about her opportunity to ride with Olympian Steffen Peters. To wrap up the show, we sit down with Cindi Wylie to talk about her journey to becoming an FEI 3* judge. From ringside at a World Cup event to riding with an Olympian and gaining insight from the judge’s perspective, this episode is packed with valuable perspectives from every corner of the dressage world.

    GUESTS AND LINKS FOR EPISODE 792:

    • Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
    • Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
    • Premier Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products
    • Guest: Emma Claire Stephens - Website | Facebook | Instagram
    • Guest: Mary Zarek Kadar - Facebook
    • Guest: Cindi Wylie - Website | Facebook
    • Book Club: Fur Mama by Diana du Pont
    • Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
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    57 mins
  • Dressage Today S7 E6: Interview With Christian Simonson, 2026 Dressage World Cup™ Final Silver Medalist (BONUS)

    Dressage Today S7 E6: Interview With Christian Simonson, 2026 Dressage World Cup™ Final Silver Medalist (BONUS)
    May 8 2026
    In this special episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, we talk to rising dressage superstar and Team Prac memeber Christian Simonson fresh off his double silver podium placing with Indian Rock at the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Christian tells us about his experience at his first-ever World Cup™ Final, his close partnership with "Rocky," what he loves so much about the sport and why he's excited to see dressage riders having more fun.As always, if you love our podcasts, make sure to subscribe, like and share them with your friends!About This Episode's Guest: Christian SimonsonGrowing up in Ventura, California, Christian Simonson had plenty of hobbies. From mountain biking and downhill skiing to scuba diving to getting his student’s pilot license at 15, he’s always had a sense of adventure, but dressage is where his heart lies. Having started dressage at 6 years old, Christian dedicated himself to the sport and had an illustrious junior career, which included competing at four FEI North American Youth Championships, winning junior team gold and individual silver in 2017, young rider team silver in 2018 and young rider team, individual and freestyle gold in 2021. He also won the Horseware Ireland/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship title at the 2021 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions.Christian has been part of the U.S. Dressage Young Rider European Tour three times, winning team bronze at the Future Champions CDIY in Hagen, Germany, twice, first with Zeaball Diawind in 2021, then with Son of a Lady in 2023. Under the tutelage of his coach, Olympian Adrienne Lyle, he has competed at CHIO Aachen, finishing third in the young rider freestyle with Son of a Lady twice in 2022 and 2023. He and Son of a Lady were named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2023 Pan American Games, where they helped secure team gold.Christian's success didn’t stop upon making it to the senior levels; in fact, he’s just gotten more competitive. Before Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center purchased Indian Rock for him to ride, the 23-year-old had never competed at Grand Prix, but with the 13-year-old stallion, he’s been unbeatable. They’ve never lost a class and were champions in the Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. In addition, he rode Fleau de Baian, who is also owned by Humphries, to the Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup Dressage National Championship.He started the 2026 season with “Rocky” by winning the CDI-W in at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, qualifying them for this year’s Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. In their World Cup™ Final debut, the pair brought the crowd to their feet with an explosive freestyle choreographed to the “Rocky” movies’ soundtrack to take silver on a personal best score of 83.81%.About This Episode's Sponsor: Zoetis® Equine Has your horse experienced lameness? Did you know that your veterinarian can use the healing power of your horse’s own blood to help manage lameness, joint pain and more? The Pro-Stride APS regenerative medicine device is designed to help keep horses feeling and performing at their best. Ask your vet if Pro-Stride APS may be a great option to help support your horse’s joint health journey. Zoetis® is always by your side in the barn, down the centerline and everywhere in between.Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PinterestGuest: Christian SimonsonOur Sponsors this month: Zoetis® Equine
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    37 mins