Ep 41- The Truth About Winning at the Top (and Why He Walked Away) | Kip Riley

Ep 44- Your Goal Should Be To Become Political with John Whitney

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Kanter Kulture, I sit down with AQHA amateur exhibitor John Whitney for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet about what it REALLY takes to level up in the all-around industry. We dive into: • going from Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 competition • the truth about “horse show politics” • why consistency matters more than quick success • campaigning horses the RIGHT way • building young horses over time • confidence, mental toughness, and showmanship strategy • balancing horses, careers, money, and family life • why some amateurs continue improving… and others plateau John shares his journey from cleaning stalls and riding difficult horses in 4-H to competing at the highest levels of AQHA competition, all while balancing corporate life, family, and the realities of amateur showing. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the Level 3 pen, frustrated trying to “move up,” or questioned whether you belong in certain arenas… this episode is for you. This conversation is packed with reality checks, motivation, strategy, and the kind of horse show talk we all have standing in the aisle at midnight after a class. And honestly? Some of the things John says about “politics” in the horse industry might completely change the way you look at competition. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/support] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796]

Ep 43- PART 3 -Moms- Jamie English

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/fan_mail/new] Just in time for Mother’s Day, we’re wrapping up our 3-part mom series with the final episode — and this one is for every horse show mom, trainer mom, barn mom, and woman trying to raise tiny humans while still chasing big goals. Ali sits down with Jamie English to talk about the real-life juggle of motherhood, marriage, horse training, showing, pregnancy, childcare, living quarters trailers, ponies, screen time, and raising kids inside the chaos of the horse show world. Jamie shares what it was like having her son later in life, riding through pregnancy, returning to the saddle after a C-section, managing a training business with a toddler, and learning that kids don’t have to stop your life — they can become part of it. From packing bubbles and must-have toys to finding good help, communicating with clients, making time for your marriage, and teaching kids to adapt, this episode is honest, funny, relatable, and full of real talk from women who are figuring it out one horse show at a time. Because horse show kids? They’re just built different. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/support] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796]

Ep 42- Alicia Owens: Morgans & Saddlebreds | KROSS KANTER

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/fan_mail/new] KROSS KANTER is officially here. In this first episode, I sit down with Alicia Owens — a multiple World and National Champion in the Morgan and Saddlebred industry — to kick off a series that goes beyond just one discipline. This conversation is equal parts insightful and unfiltered. We get into: * The surprising similarities (and differences) between disciplines * What each side of the industry doesn’t understand about the other * The reality of amateur vs trainer relationships * The true cost of horse showing—and what it’s actually worth * And the one thing every horse person has… a heart horse There are a lot of laughs, a few reality checks, and plenty of moments that will make you think, “wait… that’s exactly how I feel too.” This isn’t just another episode.  It’s the start of something bigger. Welcome to KROSS KANTER — different disciplines, same obsession. * 00:00 – Introducing KROSS KANTER * 02:30 – Meet Alicia Owens (Morgan & Saddlebred world) * 06:00 – “Why are our industries so similar?” * 10:00 – Discipline differences (and confusion 😂) * 18:00 – Amateur vs Trainer dynamics (real talk) * 28:00 – What it actually costs to show horses * 38:00 – Academy vs ownership debate * 50:00 – What makes a great horse (and rider) * 1:05:00 – The reality of horse show culture * 1:20:00 – “Heart horses” and emotional connection * 1:35:00 – Funny horse show stories + chaos moments * 1:50:00 – Final thoughts + what KROSS KANTER will be Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/support] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796]

Ep 41- The Truth About Winning at the Top (and Why He Walked Away) | Kip Riley

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/fan_mail/new] What happens when you reach the top… and then have to walk away? In this episode of Kanter Kulture, I sit down with legendary AQHA showman Kip Riley—a World Champion whose journey in the horse industry is anything but ordinary. From stepping away from horses for over 20 years… to coming back and dominating at the highest level… to ultimately losing a once-in-a-lifetime partner—Kip shares the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to succeed in the show pen. We talk about: *  The mindset behind winning at the highest level  *  The pressure of being “the one to beat”  *  Why success isn’t always sustainable  *  The devastating loss that changed everything  *  Walking away from competition—and finding purpose again  *  What riders don’t understand about judges  *  How to actually stand out in the showmanship pen  This episode is for anyone who has ever:  Felt the pressure to perform  Questioned their place in the industry  Or wondered what comes after the dream Because sometimes… the story doesn’t end at the top. 🎙️ Listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/support] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796]

EP 40- Inside the Mind of a Sport Horse Vet, with Dr Bailey Decker

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/fan_mail/new] If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” with your horse but couldn’t quite explain it… this episode is for you. I sat down with an equine sports medicine veterinarian at Unionville Equine Associates to have the kind of conversation horse owners actually need—unfiltered, honest, and incredibly eye-opening. We’re talking about what vets really think (but don’t always say), how to better understand your horse as an athlete, and what goes into keeping them performing at their best. We get into: *  The subtle signs your horse is trying to tell you something is wrong  *  What “maintenance” actually means (and where people get it wrong)  *  The truth about injections, PRP, and performance care  *  Why your vet is not judging your budget decisions  *  The biggest communication mistakes horse owners make  *  How supplements can sometimes do more harm than good  *  The importance of having a vet, trainer, and farrier working as a team  *  How AI technology is changing the way we detect lameness  Plus, I walk through everything I’ve done with my own horse and get real-time feedback—which turned into a conversation every horse owner needs to hear. This episode will genuinely change the way you look at your horse’s performance, health, and care. And this is just Part 1… 👀 00:00 – Why we’re having this conversation   02:00 – What horse owners do that drives vets crazy (and what they don’t judge you for)   05:00 – The truth about cost, care, and realistic expectations   10:00 – Supplements: what works vs what’s a waste   15:00 – When you should call your vet (earlier than you think)   20:00 – What makes a great vet-client relationship   25:00 – Performance horses as athletes: what we’re missing   30:00 – Why “just inject the hocks” isn’t always the answer   35:00 – AI & lameness detection explained   40:00 – My horse Zeus: real case discussion   50:00 – Planning your horse’s performance season the right way This episode is sponsored by DAC Vitamins and Minerals. Not all vitamin E is created equal—and what matters most is absorption. Their new LQ E Natural W.S. uses nano-dispersed technology, which means smaller particles, better absorption, and more consistent results—especially for performance horses or horses needing support. If you’re just maintaining, their powdered version works great.  But if you need results—this is the one. Check it out at feeddac.com. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395672/support] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796]