The Trainer's Wife

The Trainer's Wife ~ Marilyn Peters ~ Episode, 37

Today’s conversation is one I will treasure for a very long time. This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Marilyn Peters — horsewoman, trainer’s wife, NRCHA and AQHA judge, mother, horse trainer, and truly one of my personal heroes. At 76 years young, Marilyn is still riding horses, breeding mares, and continuing the life she and her husband Pete built together over decades in the horse industry here in Oklahoma. But this conversation became so much more than horse training. We talked about the early days of AQHA and cow horse culture… how west coast influence eventually met Oklahoma and Texas… life on a historic Oklahoma homestead now being surrounded by a rapidly growing city… and the kinds of relationships that become much bigger than business and go on to shape generations within our western horse industry, both here and abroad. We also spent time talking about their friendship with legendary western artist Orren Mixer — a friendship that quite literally left its mark on their home and on their lives. As I sat surrounded by original Mixer artwork and stories from a generation that helped shape this industry, I kept thinking: this is why these conversations matter. To preserve the history, the people, and the heritage of the western equine industry before those stories are gone. Marilyn carries the kind of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime of showing up, working hard, loving horses, loving family, and staying rooted through changing times. It is my honor to share her story. SHOW NOTES: BAR JP Quarter Horses [https://www.facebook.com/barjpqh] Episode Sponsors: Shorty's Caboy Hattery [https://shortyshattery.com] Finding Center Retreats [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com/finding-center-retreats/] Finding Center Brochure PDF [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Finding-Center-Retreat-Package.pdf] The Jennifer Journals [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com/] Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

The Trainer's Wife ~ Shorty's Caboy Hattery ~ Special Edition, Episode 36

This week’s episode is a little different — and really special to me. Over the last 35 years, today’s guest has helped shape the western equine industry - both literally & figuratively - one hat at a time through craftsmanship, consistency, relationships, and showing up for people. I’m incredibly thankful for partners like Shorty's Caboy Hattery, who believe in what I'm building through The Trainer’s Wife and Finding Center Retreats, and who continue to support women in the western industry. So today, I wanted to turn the microphone toward her story. Please welcome Shorty Koger to the show 🤍 SHOW NOTES: Shorty's Caboy Hattery [https://shortyshattery.com] Finding Center Retreats [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com] Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

The Trainer's Wife ~ Kailey Gay ~ Episode, 35

One of the things I hear over and over from women in this industry is this: “We love this life… but it’s a lot.” It’s a lot to support it. To build around it. To raise kids in it. And to figure out who you are inside of it. Today’s conversation with Kailey Gay is one I think a lot of you are going to recognize yourselves in. Kailey and her husband, Jason, have built their life in the Western equine world—balancing his career in the show pen with everything that comes with raising kids, managing a household, and the day-to-day behind the scenes. We talk about family, career, moving away from where you started, and what it looks like to grow into this role—not just as a trainer’s wife, but as a woman building a life alongside it. If you’ve ever felt the weight and the beauty of this lifestyle at the same time… this one will feel familiar. SHOW NOTES: Jason Gay Training [https://jasongaycowhorses.com/index.html#/] AniCell Biotech [Info@anicellbiotech.com] Show Sponsor - Shorty's Caboy Hattery [https://shortyshattery.com] Finding Center Retreats [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com/finding-center-retreats/] Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

The Trainer's Wife - Collage Cast!

This episode is a collection of real moments from conversations with women across the western equine industry. Different lives… same themes: – carrying the behind-the-scenes weight – navigating pressure and expectations – learning to support, adapt, and keep going And somewhere in the middle of it all… finding connection, perspective, and a way to keep your cup full. This is what this life really looks like. SHOW NOTES: JEN & TAYLOR GILLESPIE [https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/team] TAMMY & LANCE JOHNSTON [https://johnstonperformancehorses.com] TRICIA & TRACER GILSON [https://boothranches.com/our-ranches/horse-division/] SOPHIE & BRANDON BUTTARS [https://www.facebook.com/buttarscowhorse/directory_work] THE JENNIFER JOURNALS [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com] THE TRAINER'S WIFE & FINDING CENTER RETREATS [THETRAINERSWIFE@OUTLOOK.COM] Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

The Trainer's Wife ~ Jodie Scheffel ~ Episode, 33

There are seasons in life where everything changes at once. For Jodie Scheffel, it wasn’t just one shift—it was all of it. From Clovis, California… to Rice Lake, Wisconsin. From independence… to marriage, motherhood, and building a life alongside a horse trainer. A new place. A new role. A completely new rhythm. And as she’ll be the first to tell you— she had to grow into it. In the middle of long winters, a young family, and the early days of a business that demanded everything they had… Jodie learned, in real time, how to step into the life in front of her. How to become a partner. A mother. A steady presence in something bigger than herself. And alongside her, Lance Scheffel— with over $312,000 in NRCHA earnings today, they have built more than a training program. Together, they’ve helped grow the cow horse community in the North Central Region BY  showing up, bringing customers, and continuing to invest in a part of the country where this way of life doesn’t come easy. Because the western way of life isn’t just rooted in the places you expect— it’s built by the people willing to live it, wherever they are. This is a story about growth, partnership, and building something that lasts. 🎙️ Jodie Scheffel on The Trainer’s Wife SHOW NOTES: LRS Performance Horses, LLC. [http://www.lancescheffel.com] Jodie on FB [https://www.facebook.com/jodie.stabbe] The Jennifer Journals [https://www.thejenniferjournals.com] Finding Center Retreats - email [TheTrainersWife@outlook.com] Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.