How Are We Supposed to Know This? Why Horse Sports Are So Confusing

How Are We Supposed to Know This? Why Horse Sports Are So Confusing

You know what's weird? Attending a webinar to learn how to attend a horse show. In this episode, I tackle what I believe is one of the biggest barriers to growing equestrian sports: understandability. While conversations about accessibility often focus on cost, there's another challenge that doesn't get discussed nearly enough. Horse shows, divisions, memberships, qualifications, prize lists, entries, and billing can feel like a foreign language to families who didn't grow up in the horse world. In this episode, I share: * Why I attended a horse show webinar * The difference between affordability and understandability * Why so much equestrian knowledge is word of mouth * How confusion impacts participation and retention * Practical ideas that could make the sport easier for new families to navigate If you've ever nodded politely while secretly Googling horse show terminology, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned Our Presenting Sponsor, Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies https://www.bigdweb.com/ [https://www.bigdweb.com/] Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order. Broke Horse Moms * Join our virtual barn family! https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms [https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms] * The Swag Barn: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn] - Use code BHM10 to get 10% off your order.

What Dover Saddlery's Closing Reveals About Equestrian Retail w/Orchid Bertelsen

If you’ve been anywhere near horse social media lately, you’ve probably seen the conversations around Dover Saddlery’s closures and liquidation sales. But what actually happened behind the scenes? And what does it reveal about the future of the equestrian industry? In this episode, I’m joined by Orchid Bertelsen, writer of the Substack Back in the Saddle [https://orchid.substack.com/], to break down the Dover story from both an economic and rider perspective. With a background in e-commerce, consumer marketing, and brand strategy, Orchid offers a fascinating look at why equestrian retail has struggled to evolve, what this means for local tack shops and brands, and why adult amateurs and horse moms are often overlooked despite driving so much spending in the sport. We also talk about: * Why equestrian e-commerce still feels stuck in 2008 * How trainers influence buying decisions * The challenges local tack shops face * Why discoverability is a huge issue in the horse world * What horse businesses can learn from modern retail * And why there’s still reason to feel hopeful about the future of the industry If you’ve ever struggled to buy boots online, wondered why horse businesses are so hard to find, or felt like the horse world makes things harder than they need to be, this episode is for you. RESOURCES MENTIONED PRESENTING SPONSOR: BIG DEE'S TACK & VET SUPPLIES * https://www.bigdweb.com/ [https://www.bigdweb.com/] Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order. ORCHID BERTELSEN, BACK IN THE SADDLE * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchidinthesaddle/ [https://www.instagram.com/orchidinthesaddle/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@orchidinthesaddle [https://www.tiktok.com/@orchidinthesaddle] * Substack: https://orchidinthesaddle.substack.com/ [https://orchidinthesaddle.substack.com/] BIG DEE'S TACK & VET SUPPLIES * https://www.bigdweb.com/ [https://www.bigdweb.com/] Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order. BROKE HORSE MOMS * Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms [https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms] * The Swag Barn: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn] - Use code BHM10 to get 10% off your order.

Are We Raising Riders or Buying Ribbons? with David Reichert of UDJC

Are horse shows teaching kids to become better riders or just rewarding expensive horses and polished rounds? In this episode, Angie sits down with David Reichert, founder of the United Dressage and Jumping Club (UDJC), to talk about the gaps he sees in the current U.S. equestrian system and why he created an alternative focused on horsemanship, rider development, affordability, and grit. David shares his perspective on everything from hunter and jumper culture to dressage fundamentals, horse show costs, trainer influence, rider education, and why he believes kids should learn multiple disciplines instead of specializing too early. They also discuss: * Whether horse shows are rewarding horses more than riders * Why many kids aren’t learning horsemanship fundamentals * Why “grit” matters more than convenience in this sport * The pressure trainers face within the current system * How UDJC approaches rider development differently * Why parents often feel overwhelmed entering the horse world * What horse moms should actually focus on long term Whether you agree with all of David’s opinions or not, this conversation raises important questions about what we want our kids to gain from this sport and how the horse world could evolve moving forward. RESOURCES MENTIONED UNITED DRESSAGE AND JUMPING CLUB (UDJC) * https://www.udjc.org/ [https://udjc.org/] * https://www.instagram.com/udjclub/ [https://www.instagram.com/udjclub/] BROKE HORSE MOMS * Web: https://brokehorsemoms.com/ [https://brokehorsemoms.com/ ] * Join the newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter] * Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/ [https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/] * Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/brokehorsemoms [https://buymeacoffee.com/brokehorsemoms]

The Rated Show We Never Finished at HITS Culpeper

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Ashley Winch to walk through what happened when our rated show at HITS Culpeper came to an abrupt end after a horse stabled in the same barn as us tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) and developed Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). What followed was confusion, a lot of unanswered questions, and a mandatory quarantine that completely changed our plans, and honestly, our perspective. We cover: * What actually happens when a horse tests positive for EHV-1 at a show * What quarantine looks like in real life (not just on paper) * The emotional side of navigating risk, uncertainty, and “what ifs” * What we had to scramble to figure out (supplies, logistics, care) * The role of communication—and where things felt unclear * What I wish I had known before this ever happened If you’re a non-horsey horse mom trying to understand the parts of this world no one explains…this one is for you. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Join the Broke Horse Mom newsletter [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter](quarantine breakdown + resources) * Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms] * Horse Radio Network [https://horseradionetwork.com/] * The Quarter Horse Podcast [https://horseradionetwork.com/podcast/the-quarter-horse-podcast/]

Real Talk About Horse Shows: Costs, Chaos, and What No One Tells You

Horse show season is here and if you’re anything like me, it can feel like stepping into a completely different world. In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I wish I had known before our first horse show, from the different types of shows to the very real costs (both expected and surprise) and how to navigate it all without losing your mind… or your bank account. Whether you’re heading to your first schooling show or staring down your first rated show bill, I’m walking you through what horse show life actually looks like behind the scenes. Topics Covered * The different types of horse shows (onsite, schooling, away, and rated) * How signing up actually works (and why it can feel so confusing) * What “divisions” and “classes” really mean * The real costs of showing—before, during, and the hidden extras * Trainer fees, stalls, tack stalls, memberships, and all the add-ons * The time warp that is horse show scheduling (and why nothing runs on time) * How I’ve simplified our setup to save my sanity * Where it actually makes sense to save money (and where it doesn’t) * Why you don’t need to do every show to support your kid’s progress I also share a personal update on Chloe’s goal to compete at Pony Jumper Finals and what it really takes for us to make that happen. 💛 Support Broke Horse Moms and Chloe’s Pony Finals Journey * Learn more here: https://brokehorsemoms.com/ponyfinals/ [https://brokehorsemoms.com/ponyfinals/] * Contribute directly (business sponsorships available): Venmo @BrokeHorseMoms 🔗 Resources & Links * Join the newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter [https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter] * Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms [https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms]