The Go Eventing Podcast

S2, E07: Go Eventing with Leonor Muñoz, presented by Sentinel Horse Feed

“Where Eventing Lives” Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we're sitting down with a quietly compelling figure in eventing, whose results speak loudly, but whose philosophy speaks even louder. Elite eventing is won and lost in the details: the training decisions made months before a competition, the way a rider reads a course, the relationship built with a horse over years of patient, welfare-first work. This episode is for anyone who has ever wanted to understand what it takes to make it in the sport without funding or support, and what it actually looks like to pursue excellence in this sport with both ambition and integrity. This episode is supported by Sentinel Horse Feeds [https://kentfeeds.com/product-lines/sentinel/?utm_source=eventing_nation&utm_medium=partner_site&utm_campaign=2026_sentinel_brand&utm_content=podcast_talia&utm_term=display_600x100]. https://kentfeeds.com/product-lines/sentinel/?utm_source=eventing_nation&utm_medium=partner_site&utm_campaign=2026_sentinel_brand&utm_content=podcast_talia&utm_term=display_600x100 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 7? Host Sally Spickard sits down with Costa Rican eventer Leonor Muñoz for a conversation that is equal parts personal journey and rallying cry for the future of the sport. Leonor has spent years working to build eventing in Costa Rica from the ground up — navigating the very real challenges of funding, infrastructure, and international access that riders in smaller nations face every day — while simultaneously forging the international connections and mentorship pathways that she believes are essential to making the sport truly global. Her story is one of community, creativity, and an unwavering belief that a small country can make a big mark on eventing. 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... * 0:20 - News & Notes: Badminton, Tryon, Championships, and Upcoming Prize Funds Sally recaps our most recent 5* coverage from MARS Badminton, where Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo set a new record as the event's first-ever three-time winners. She touches on the upcoming FEI Eventing World Championships at Aachen, where we predict a close battle of the greats: Ros and Lordships Graffalo, Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk, and Laura Collett and London 52. Sally also walks us through our weekend at Tryon International — the first CCI4*-L in the US — where our fan-favorite Mia Farley managed her first 4*-L win with Invictus.  Sally also introduces us to the USEF Eventing Young Riders National Championship coming up in June at the Maryland Horse Trials for the event's 20-year anniversary, which for the first time ever will see a $100,000 prize pot across its FEI divisions. MARS Bromont has also seen a prize fund increase up to $50,000 for their June event, so make sure to keep an eye out for our reports on both these events next month! Be sure to also see the link below for our recap on the newly-introduced Intro Level with USEA, as well as the upcoming Combined Test Leaderboard, set to debut December 1, 2026. [Read it on EN: "How Mia Farley Got Her Groove Back: Stories from the Tryon International CCI4*-L" [https://eventingnation.com/how-mia-farley-got-her-groove-back-stories-from-the-tryon-international-cci4-l/]] [Read it on EN: "Wednesday News & Notes: New USEA Intro Level & Combined Test Leaderboard" [https://eventingnation.com/wednesday-news-notes-109/]] * 10:35 - One Big Thing: Growing Costa Rican Eventing from the Ground Up Leonor opens with her own journey into eventing — one shaped by passion, persistence, and the kind of community that forms when a small group of people decides to build something together. She speaks about the role of family and community in sustaining the sport in Costa Rica, and how those relationships have been as important to the program's growth as any formal structure. The conversation moves into the very real challenges Leo and her fellow riders face: funding gaps, limited access to international competition, and the logistical complexity of developing horses and riders in a country where the eventing ecosystem is still taking shape. She is candid about what those constraints look like in practice and the creative strategies she and others have developed in response. Leo speaks about the role of international clinics and exchange programs in accelerating development, and how building genuine connections with riders, coaches, and officials from more established eventing nations has been one of the most powerful tools available to her. She shares her experiences with the FEI Solidarity Program, including what it offers, how it has shaped opportunities for Costa Rican riders, and where she sees its greatest potential for developing nations looking to grow the sport sustainably. Sally and Leo share several ideas for making eventing more accessible and more globally inclusive, from mentorship initiatives that connect experienced international riders with emerging talent in developing countries to structural changes they believe could open the sport to a far wider world than it currently reaches. Leo's vision is not just for Costa Rica, but for what eventing could look like if it took its global ambitions seriously. [Read it on EN: "Costa Rica Equestrian Has Big Plans as First Recipient of FEI Gender Equality Grant" [https://eventingnation.com/costa-rica-equestrian-has-big-plans-as-first-recipient-of-fei-gender-equality-grant/]] [Read it on EN: "The Costa Rica Connection: Full Moon Farm Represents on the International Stage" [https://eventingnation.com/the-costa-rica-connection-full-moon-farm-represents-on-the-international-stage/]] [USEA Foundation Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Organizer's Relief and Competition Assistance Fund and Frangible Technology Fund [https://useventing.com/news-media/news/usea-foundation-now-accepting-applications-for-2025-organizers-relief-and-competition-assistance-fund-and-frangible-technology-fund]] [About FEI Solidarity [https://inside.fei.org/fei/solidarity]] * 1:45:34 - Finish Flags Follow along with Leonor: * IG: @lafincaecuestre [https://www.instagram.com/lafincaecuestre] * FB: La Finca Centro Ecuestre [https://www.facebook.com/lafincaecuestre] * LinkedIn: Leonor Muñoz Ortiz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonormunozortiz/] Learn more about WISH: * Website: UH WISH [https://www.herts.ac.uk/for-business/specialist-services-in-our-schools-of-study/business-support-and-consultancy/wish] * IG: @wish_pathway [https://www.instagram.com/wish_pathway/] * 2024 Impact Report & Future Delivery Framework [https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/420140/WISH-Impact-report-and-framework.pdf] 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com [http://eventingnation.com] to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing [http://instagram.com/goeventing], or you can reach us anytime at podcast@eventingnation.com [podcast@eventingnation.com]. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's keep building this community together. #GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives https://kentfeeds.com/product-lines/sentinel/?utm_source=eventing_nation&utm_medium=partner_site&utm_campaign=2026_sentinel_brand&utm_content=podcast&utm_term=logo __________________________________________________________________________ The Go Eventing Podcast powered by Eventing Nation is your front-row seat to the heartbeat of eventing. From exclusive athlete interviews to behind-the-scenes insights, we bring you closer to the horses, riders, and stories that make our sport unforgettable. Our vision: Celebrate the stories of eventing while connecting fans, riders, and supporters worldwide. What makes us different: Rider-first conversations  Honest, unfiltered stories  🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A community-driven approach

S2, E06: Go Eventing with Felix Vogg, presented by FreeJump

“Where Eventing Lives” Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we're sitting down with one of eventing's most quietly compelling figures whose results speak loudly and philosophy speaks even louder. Elite eventing is won and lost in the details — the training decisions made months before a competition, the way a rider reads a course, and the relationship built with a horse over years of patient, horse-first work. This episode is for anyone who has ever wanted to understand what separates good from great, and what it actually looks like to pursue excellence in this sport with both ambition and integrity. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 6? Host Sally Spickard sits down with Swiss eventing Champion and reigning Maryland 5* winner Felix Vogg for a thoughtful conversation on what it means to operate at the top of this sport without losing sight of the horse at the center of it all. Felix has long been regarded as one of eventing's most technical competitors, and this episode gives listeners a rare look inside the mind of a rider who approaches the sport as much like a craftsman as a competitor — deeply curious, relentlessly detail-oriented, and uncompromising when it comes to the welfare and longevity of his horses. 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... * 0:22 - News & Notes: Kentucky Three-Day Recap Another wild and long-winded Kentucky 5* has come and gone, and it was another one for the history books. Sally recaps all of EN's contributions and dives into Will Coleman's long-awaited 5* win, Tamie Smith's victory in the 4*-S, some rookie and veteran highlights, and a few farewells to certain four-legged stalwarts of the sport. [Read it on EN: Millions of Dreams Come Real: Will Coleman Nabs First CCI5* Win at Kentucky with Diabolo [https://eventingnation.com/millions-of-dreams-come-real-will-coleman-nabs-first-cci5-win-at-kentucky-with-diabolo/]] [Read it on EN: Two Eventing Legends Bid Farewell to 5* at This Year’s Defender Kentucky [https://eventingnation.com/two-eventing-legends-bid-farewell-to-5-at-this-years-defender-kentucky/]] * 10:41 - One Big Thing: The Horse-First Approach Felix pulls back the curtain on his training philosophy built on careful observation, individual adaptation, and a genuine belief that the horse's needs must drive the process, not the other way around. He walks us through his mentorship with some of the greatest riders on the circuits today, and how he has honed his approach to each horse individually, resisting the temptation to apply a one-size-fits-all system in favor of something more responsive, patient, and ultimately more effective. Felix's international experience across the world's biggest events has given him a closer look at design philosophies that few riders can match, and his insight into how that shapes performance is genuinely authentic. Felix and Sally also explore the mental side of competing at the highest level and the resilience required to perform under pressure and recover from setbacks, manage the uncertainty inherent in the sport, and sustain the kind of long-term focus that elite results demand. Threading through the entire conversation is Felix's commitment to horse welfare and longevity. He reflects on what it means to make decisions in the best interest of a horse's long-term soundness and happiness, even when those decisions run counter to competitive ambition, and why he believes that approach is actually the foundation of everything he's achieved. [EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: When Nicole Met... Felix Vogg [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-nicole-met-felix-vogg/id1163693349?i=1000722776524]] * 1:05:26 - You Ask, We Answer: Rapid Fire Questions While unable to ever catch Felix off guard, Sally throws out some rapid questions for Felix to bring us more into his life and history. Felix shares anecdotes of his first ever horse ride, and explains how the one thing he's bad at is sitting still! * 1:12:10 - Finish Flags Follow along with Felix Instagram: @felixvogg [https://www.instagram.com/felixvogg/] Facebook: Felix Vogg Sporthorses [https://www.facebook.com/FelixVoggEventing] https://horsepal.com/ 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com [http://eventingnation.com] to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing [http://instagram.com/goeventing], or you can reach us anytime at podcast@eventingnation.com [podcast@eventingnation.com]. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's keep building this community together. #GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives __________________________________________________________________________ The Go Eventing Podcast powered by Eventing Nation is your front-row seat to the heartbeat of eventing. From exclusive athlete interviews to behind-the-scenes insights, we bring you closer to the horses, riders, and stories that make our sport unforgettable. Our vision: Celebrate the stories of eventing while connecting fans, riders, and supporters worldwide. What makes us different: Rider-first conversations  Honest, unfiltered stories  🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A community-driven approach

S2, E05: Go Eventing at Kentucky with Cherie Chauvin, presented by Kentucky Performance Products

“Where Eventing Lives” Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. We're testing a new episode format this week, as we hope to begin utilizing this platform for long-form discussions covering a variety of in-depth discussions, for which our featured guests and co-hosts will act as an expert panelist to contribute to a deeper dive into topics, events, and various areas of our industry we feel deserve a spotlight. The Kentucky Three-Day Event is no mere walk in the park — it's a pilgrimage, the place where the eventing world convenes every spring, where legends are made on cross country, and where first-time spectators leave as lifelong eventing fans. If you've never been — or if you've been a dozen times and still feel like you're figuring it out as you go — this episode is your cheat sheet, a one-stop guide from seasoned attendees with all the tips and tricks to making the most of your Kentucky week. https://kppusa.com/horse-supplement-products/ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 5? Host Sally Spickard is joined by Cherie Chauvin, Director of Optimum Time - Global Eventing Tourism [https://optimum-time.com/], for a comprehensive insider's guide to experiencing the Kentucky Three-Day Event like a seasoned pro. Whether you're planning your first trip to the Bluegrass or looking to finally stop missing the things everyone else seems to know about, Cherie has spent more time navigating this event than almost anyone — and she's sharing all of it. Which activities you should star on the schedule? What are the tricks to navigating cross-country day? Should you stay to watch the awards ceremony? What inspires someone to go into the porta-potty business? What flavor of ice cream should you bring to meet Bruce Davidson? Learn more about the answers to these questions (as well as Sally’s near-criminal experience on course in Paris) in this episode filled to the brim with all the insider tricks you’ll need at Kentucky! 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... * 00:20 - News & Notes: Win the Warmup at Kentucky & the Adelaide Equestrian Festival Join EN and Optimum Time - Global Eventing Tourism at the Kentucky Three-Day Event on Friday, April 24th at 10am for a Win the Warmup Experience, featuring guest host Lainey Ashker. This is a great educational experience, and completely FREE, so save your spot with the link below and we'll look forward to seeing you there! We also had EN photographer and reporter Atalya Boytner catch up with our most recent 5* winner, Oliver Barrett, who just this past weekend won the Adelaide CCI5* on his homebred Sandhills Briar. Listen in to their exclusive interview, and join us in keeping our eye on this young star as he aims for "that pretty big event in August in Germany". [Click here to RSVP for the EN x Optimum Time KY3DE Win the Warmup Experience [https://win-the-warmup-ky3de.getresponsesite.com/]] [Read it on EN — A Weekend in Adelaide: Wins On and Off the Leaderboard, A Full Circle Family Dream and Career Goals Realized [https://eventingnation.com/a-weekend-in-adelaide-wins-on-and-off-the-leaderboard-a-full-circle-family-dream-and-career-goals-realized/]] [US Equestrian Open Leaderboard [https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2]] [EN’s KY3DE Form Guide [https://eventingnation.com/ens-guide-to-the-cci5-field-at-the-2026-defender-kentucky-three-day-event/]] * 11:40 - Entries Preview: Who We're Following From rookies to old favorites, up-and-coming stars to 5* winners, this year's entry list is sure to be packed full of drama. [Click here to follow along with all of Eventing Nation's Kentucky coverage [https://eventingnation.com/tag/kentucky/]] where you can find pre-event stories and rookie highlights, mid-competition updates and breaking news, and post-event reports and highlights from our team on the ground and around the world. [Read it on EN — The Newest Members of the Pink Pony Club: Ali Kuhn and Little Hail (and how the Pink began) [https://eventingnation.com/the-newest-members-of-the-pink-pony-club-ali-kuhn-and-little-hail/]] [EN'S KY3DE Ultimate Guide [https://eventingnation.com/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-defender-kentucky-three-day-event/]] * 25:29 - One Big Thing: How to Go Eventing at Kentucky Follow along as you listen and star all the places and activities Sally and Cherie mention on the grounds map here: [Kentucky Horse Park map [https://irp.cdn-website.com/d3e36bbd/files/uploaded/Event_Map.pdf]] [Provisional Event Schedule [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/schedules]] 34:58 - (Saturday) Cross Country Day [Bringing Your Dog to Kentucky? [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/bringing-your-dog]] 57:29 - (Wednesday) Horse Inspection Day 1:01:57 - (Thursday & Friday) Dressage & CSI5* Days 1:08:29 - Shopping & Vendors Maps & Vendor Lists: [Sponsor Village & Courtyard [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/sponsor-village]] [The Hill [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/the-hill]] [Trade Fair [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/trade-fair]] 1:21:51 - (Sunday) Show Jumping Day 1:32:38 - Dining & Drinking [Food Vendors [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/food-and-dining]] 1:40:59 - Bathrooms & Hydration 1:51:18 - The Official KY Scavenger Hunt [You could win a horse trailer, lawn mower, or saddle! [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/scavenger-hunt]] 1:57:06 - Watching at Home [ClipMyHorse.tv Livestream: Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event & Kentucky International CSI5* [https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18573/defender-kentucky-three-day-event-kentucky-international-csi5]] 1:58:58 - Navigation, Volunteers, & Rules of the Park [Volunteer at the Kentucky Three-Day Event [https://www.eventingvolunteers.com/events/13513/signup]] [What to Wear at Kentucky [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/what-to-wear]] Make sure to check out the Official Event Program [https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/2026-official-program] at the Park or on their website, as it includes links to all the official happenings and activities during the event, info on every horse and rider entry, breakdowns of the 4* and 5* dressage tests, and our favorite: a guide to the cross country and show jumping courses with details on every single obstacle our competitors will see. * 2:05:49 - Finish Flags Follow Cherie and plan your next eventing trip with Optimum Time: Facebook: Optimum Time - Eventing Tourism [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580285342317] Website: optimum-time.com [https://optimum-time.com/] Like this episode format and want more like it? Hated it and want us to stop rambling on and taking up two hours of your life that you'll never get back? Send us your feedback at podcast@eventingnation.com [podcast@eventingnation.com] and tell us what other topics you'd like covered. https://horsepal.com/ 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com [http://eventingnation.com] to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing [http://instagram.com/goeventing], or you can reach us anytime at podcast@eventingnation.com [podcast@eventingnation.com]. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's keep building this community together. #GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives __________________________________________________________________________ The Go Eventing Podcast powered by Eventing Nation is your front-row seat to the heartbeat of eventing. From exclusive athlete interviews to behind-the-scenes insights, we bring you closer to the horses, riders, and stories that make our sport unforgettable. Our vision: Celebrate the stories of eventing while connecting fans, riders, and supporters worldwide. What makes us different: Rider-first conversations  Honest, unfiltered stories  🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A community-driven approach

S2, E04: Go Eventing with Lara de Liedekerke-Meier

“Where Eventing Lives” Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we're going across the pond to bring you a conversation with one of European eventing's (and EN's) most beloved riders, whose career is defined as much by emotional intelligence and patience as it is by podium finishes. The eventing world is built on partnerships with horses, family, teammates, and the sport itself. This episode explores all of it — the highs of an unexpected 5* win, the humbling reality of balancing a competitive career with motherhood, and what it takes to build something lasting in this sport, from a breeding program rooted in love to a legacy built on the belief that dreaming big is non-negotiable. https://kppusa.com/horse-supplement-products/ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 4? Host Sally Spickard sits down with two-time Belgian Olympian Lara de Liedekerke-Meier for a multi-faceted conversation that spans the full arc of a life built around horses. Based at her family's breeding operation at Arville, Lara is as thoughtful a horsewoman as she is a competitor — someone who has balanced ambition and patience, personal goals and team responsibility, and a family life as one of two parents at the highest level of sport. From her emotional victory at Luhmühlen to her reflections on the state of eventing in Belgium, Lara brings the kind of perspective that can only come from decades in the industry and a genuine love for every horse in her barn, both past and present. 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... * 00:53 - News & Notes: US Equestrian Open Qualifier Wins & Winning a Trip to Burghley Listen in to some exclusive interview clips following a triple US Equestrian Open Qualifier calendar combo. Sally speaks with Colleen Loach, who took her fourth consecutive win of the season on FE Golden Eye at the Event at TerraNova 4*-S [https://eventingnation.com/colleen-loach-and-fe-golden-eye-fly-to-the-top-of-the-cci4-s-at-the-event-at-terranova/]. We check in with Tommy Greengard after his 1-2 punch win on Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad and second-place finish with That’s Me Z at the Galway Downs 4*-S [https://eventingnation.com/tommy-greengard-takes-top-two-spots-in-galway-downs-cci4-s/]. She also shares a call with Lucienne Bellissimo regarding her Stable View 4*-S win on Dyri [https://eventingnation.com/lucienne-bellissimo-ticks-off-another-win-with-dyri-at-stable-views-cci4-s/], where they finished on their dressage score in an incredibly competitive class. Additionally, join us in congratulating Asia Sieve [https://www.instagram.com/ais.eventing] for winning the Five Star Eventing Tours Horse Hero Contest [https://eventingnation.com/win-a-fully-funded-trip-to-defender-burghley-with-en-and-five-star-eventing-tours/], from which she will receive a free all-inclusive trip to the Burghley Horse Trials [https://www.eventingtours.com/burghley]! * 21:48 - One Big Thing: Building Success d’Arville in Belgium Lara takes us behind the scenes of Arville's breeding program, one built on a deep and lasting emotional connection to her mares. She traces the role that intuition and patience have played in building a program filled with a lot of love and a little bit of luck, and reflects on the horses — including the pivotal Nooney Blue [https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/nooney-blue-put-down-886009] — who have shaped the trajectory of her career. The conversation takes a beautifully honest turn as Lara revisits her unexpected 5* win at Luhmühlen [https://eventingnation.com/i-thought-i-wasnt-the-right-rider-lara-de-liedekerke-meier-becomes-first-ever-belgian-five-star-winner-in-emotional-luhmuhlen-finale/] that left the eventing world without a dry eye in the house, letting us in on her rollercoaster of emotion, surprise, and what it meant to achieve something she hadn't dared to hope for. She and Sally dive into the challenge of managing expectations in a sport where so much is outside your control, and why striving to learn from failure is one of the most important skills a rider can develop. Lara speaks candidly about what motherhood has given her as a competitor: perspective, prioritization, and the reminder that her children love her for who she is, not what she wins. She reflects on the way horses mirror that same lesson with their own timeline, needs, and expectations, stressing that the best thing a rider can do is resist the urge to impose their goals where they simply don't fit. The episode also turns to the broader landscape of eventing in Belgium — one Lara believes has genuine potential, but strives on its behalf for more commitment, more training infrastructure, and more dreaming from its riders. She speaks with real investment about the next generation, the role of team dynamics in nurturing young talent, and how funding and training opportunities in Belgium compare to the sport's powerhouses like Great Britain. Her message to up-and-coming eventers is clear: ambition isn't optional — it's the foundation our sport is built on. [Read it on EN: FEI Releases Tribunal Decision + Statement from Tine Magnus (BEL) Following Positive Test at Paris Olympics [https://eventingnation.com/fei-releases-tribunal-decision-statement-from-tine-magnus-bel-following-positive-test-at-paris-olympics/]] * 01:39:23 - Finish Flags Follow along with Lara and Arville! Instagram: @laradeliedekerke [https://www.instagram.com/laradeliedekerke/] @eventingarville [https://www.instagram.com/eventingarville/] Website: arville-sporthorses.com [https://www.arville-sporthorses.com/] https://horsepal.com/ 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com [http://eventingnation.com] to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing [http://instagram.com/goeventing], or you can reach us anytime at podcast@eventingnation.com [podcast@eventingnation.com]. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's keep building this community together. #GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives __________________________________________________________________________ The Go Eventing Podcast powered by Eventing Nation is your front-row seat to the heartbeat of eventing. From exclusive athlete interviews to behind-the-scenes insights, we bring you closer to the horses, riders, and stories that make our sport unforgettable. Our vision: Celebrate the stories of eventing while connecting fans, riders, and supporters worldwide. What makes us different: Rider-first conversations  Honest, unfiltered stories  🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A community-driven approach

S2, E03: Go Eventing with Peter Gray, presented by Sentinel Horse Feeds

“Where Eventing Lives” Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we're pulling back the curtain on the side of the sport that competitors depend on, but rarely receive an inside look at. From the judge's booth to the horse inspection strip, the licensed officials who keep eventing running safely and fairly [https://eventingnation.com/thursday-news-notes-117/] carry enormous responsibility, so we're shining the spotlight on someone who knows the ins and outs of this high-pressure world — as well as what it's like to be the one cantering down the centerline. Whether you're a seasoned competitor trying to crack the code on your dressage scores, an up-and-coming rider working through the levels, or simply a fan who's ever wondered what's happening inside the booth, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. https://kentfeeds.com/product-lines/sentinel/?utm_source=eventing_nation&utm_medium=partner_site&utm_campaign=2026_sentinel_brand&utm_content=podcast_banner&utm_term=600x100 __________________________________________________________________________ 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 3? Host Sally Spickard sits down with FEI judge, Olympian, and long-time eventing official Peter Gray for a zoomed-out conversation on what it takes to uphold the standards of our sport at the highest level. Peter brings a rare dual perspective, having competed at the top of the sport and now judging it as an official — making him uniquely positioned to speak to both the rider's experience and the judge's eye. From the nuances of progressive dressage scoring to the mental resilience required to make split-second decisions during cross country, Peter offers practical insight for riders at every level while pulling back the curtain on what officiating at the FEI level truly demands. 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... * 00:25 - News & Notes: Maryland 5 Star update, Carolina International, & the Road to the Horse Sally talks through the recent cancellation of the 2026 Maryland 5 Star [https://eventingnation.com/maryland-5-star-will-not-go-forward-for-2026-what-we-know/] and what that means for the US and worldwide sport calendar for this year. The EN team had boots on the ground at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI & HT, where West-coast queen Tamie Smith swept the board with wins in the CCI2*-S, 3*-S, and 4*-S [https://eventingnation.com/california-girl-tamie-smith-takes-three-carolina-titles-at-setters-run-farm-carolina-international-cci-h-t/], so listen in to an interview with Sally and the champion herself regarding her current horses and her plans out East. We also bring you an exclusive phone interview with Elisa Wallace [https://roadtothehorse.com/elisa-wallace-usa/] following her second-place finish at the 2026 Road to the Horse World Championship [https://roadtothehorse.com/road-to-the-horse-2026-world-championship-scores/] -- where she may have left without an empty trailer! [Road to the Horse YouTube replays [https://www.youtube.com/@RoadtotheHorseOfficial]] [Full interview with Carolina International CCI1* winner Lee Maher (and Chris Talley) [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BBjxH2NRz/]] [Full interview with Carolina International CCI 2*, 3*, & 4* winner Tamie Smith [https://www.facebook.com/reel/801668982988295/]] * 30:44 - One Big Thing: Rider, Judge, & Jury Life Peter leads us through the world of FEI officiating, both what it looks like from the inside and what it means for the competitors. He walks through the judging process at the FEI level, how horse inspections are conducted, what officials are truly evaluating during a ground jury assessment, and how technology is increasingly shaping the way dressage scores are recorded and reviewed. He shares practical, level-appropriate guidance rooted in the principles of progressive training and patient horse development, emphasizing that what earns scores at 5* is the same foundation being built at Beginner Novice. He and Sally explore how the evolution of eventing as a discipline has shifted both training philosophies and judging standards over time, and what role coaches and officials play in keeping that development on track. Peter also speaks candidly about the mental demands of officiating, the pressure of real-time decision-making during cross country, how officials process and manage uncertainty, and what it means to carry responsibility for the safety and fairness of the sport at its highest level — because in the end, it's all about the horse. [Listen in to Peter Grey on Ride iQ's In Stride Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-gray-lessons-from-the-saddle-the-sidelines/id1602148957?i=1000742007136]] [USEF Licensed Officials requirements [https://www.usef.org/compete/resources-forms/licensed-officials/become-licensed]] * 2:07:20 - Finish Flags Follow along with Peter Gray! Instagram: @peterscottgray [https://www.instagram.com/peterscottgray/] https://www.eventingtours.com/horse-hero-contest 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com [http://eventingnation.com] to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing [http://instagram.com/goeventing], or you can reach us anytime at podcast@eventingnation.com [podcast@eventingnation.com]. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's keep building this community together. #GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives __________________________________________________________________________ The Go Eventing Podcast powered by Eventing Nation is your front-row seat to the heartbeat of eventing. From exclusive athlete interviews to behind-the-scenes insights, we bring you closer to the horses, riders, and stories that make our sport unforgettable. Our vision: Celebrate the stories of eventing while connecting fans, riders, and supporters worldwide. What makes us different: Rider-first conversations  Honest, unfiltered stories  🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A community-driven approach