Showjumping 101

Equine tendon and soft tissue injuries and how to treat them with Guest Henk the Vet

Welcome to Showjumping 101 with Joanne Sloan Allen and Sameh El Dahan. In this two parter, Joanne and Sameh are joined by Henk Offereins, better known as Henk the Vet, to talk about one of the biggest fears for any horse owner or rider — tendon and soft tissue injuries. Henk has spent many years treating professional equine athletes and brings a fascinating insight into how tendon injuries are diagnosed, managed and rehabilitated. Together, they discuss why rest alone is not always the answer, the importance of correct diagnosis, controlled loading, and how new technology — including the Equine Tendon boot — is helping more horses return to work safely and successfully. This is a fascinating discussion that challenges many of the traditional approaches to tendon rehabilitation and offers riders real hope, practical advice and a better understanding of how modern rehabilitation techniques are changing outcomes for equine athletes. If you’ve ever faced the fear of hearing the words “tendon injury” from your vet, this is definitely an episode you won’t want to miss. Part two is out soon...

The Truth About Bits, Contact & Horse Comfort with Aster Bits

Welcome to Showjumping 101, the podcast bringing you honest conversations, expert insight and practical advice from across the equestrian world. In this episode, we’re joined by Belle Palmer, equine dentist and founder of Aster Bits, [www.asterhorse.com] to discuss one of the biggest talking points in modern riding — bitting, communication and horse comfort. From understanding contact and stability in the mouth to finding the right bit for different horses, this episode is packed with valuable insight for riders at every level. Whether you’re producing young horses or looking to improve harmony and performance, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Ban It For Buddy

Winter can be one of the toughest times of the year — dark days, broken routines, and emotions that feel harder to ignore. In this episode of Showjumping 101, Joanne Sloan Allen and Sameh El Dahan are joined by mindset coach Sandie Robertson and fitness expert Aamir Fit for an honest conversation about grief, mental resilience, community, and finding ways to move forward after loss. While this was recorded in January, which can be the most depressing month of the year, it's a reminder that grief and emotions are with us all year round and how we can cope with them. This is a raw, open discussion about coping, connection, and why it’s okay to not be okay — plus how turning pain into purpose can help create positive change.

Showjumping 101: Bouncing Back – Injury, Fear and Building Mental Resilience.

Welcome back to Showjumping 101 — the podcast hosted by Sam Forrest and presented by Joanne Sloan Allen and Sameh El Dahan, where we dig into the realities of life in high-performance showjumping. As we head into a new season, it’s easy to talk about fresh starts and clean slates — but for many riders, last year’s injuries, falls, and setbacks don’t disappear just because the calendar changes. In this episode, Joanne and Sameh are joined once again by mindset performance coach Sandie Robertson and fitness and nutrition coach Aamir Fit to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the sport: how to come back stronger — mentally and physically — after injury. From riding defensively and fear in the ring, to trusting preparation, managing recovery, and knowing when to push and when to pause, this is an honest conversation about resilience, confidence, and why recovery is just as important as training. Whether you’re returning from injury, carrying mental baggage, or simply trying to perform consistently in a sport where nothing is guaranteed, this episode offers practical tools and real-world insight from people who live it every day.

Starting the 2026 Season Strong – Goals, Mindset & Rider Wellbeing

Welcome back to Showjumping 101 — the podcast hosted by Sam Forrest and presented by Joanne Sloan Allen and Sameh El Dahan. As we head into a brand-new year, many riders are setting goals, chasing progress, and feeling that familiar pressure to start fast and do more. But is that always the right approach? In this episode, Joanne and Sameh are joined by Sandie Robertson, the team’s official mindset performance coach, and Amir Fitt, official fitness and nutrition coach, for an honest and practical conversation about starting the season with clarity rather than chaos. From setting realistic goals without pressure, to managing sleep, recovery, and mental wellbeing during the darker months and the intensity of indoor season, this episode is packed with advice riders can actually apply — whether you’re competing at the top level or balancing riding around everyday life.