The Comeback Ride: Key Waller on Legacy, Motherhood, and Returning to the Saddlebred Ring

The Comeback Ride: Key Waller on Legacy, Motherhood, and Returning to the Saddlebred Ring

Send a Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex sits down with Key Waller for a conversation about family legacy, motherhood, and what it feels like to return to the Saddlebred show ring after 11 years away. Key grew up surrounded by American Saddlebreds at Blythewood Farms, where horses, breeding, and the show ring were part of everyday life. As a third-generation Saddlebred owner and breeder, she has always understood the beauty of the breed, along with the pressure that can come from carrying a well-known family history in the industry. For Alex, Key’s story also reflects many of the emotions that inspired The Long Ride Home. After stepping away from the saddle herself for 26 years, Alex brings her own return-to-riding perspective into the conversation, connecting with Key on the nerves, muscle memory, small breakthroughs, and unexpected emotions that come with riding again as an adult. Together, Alex and Key talk about the parts of the sport that stay with you, even after time away. Key shares how stepping into other disciplines, including hunters and reining horses, helped her keep learning, take pressure off, and reconnect with the joy of riding from a different angle. Episode Chapters: 01:06 - Key’s upbringing in the American Saddlebred world at Blythewood Farms 04:10 - The pride and pressure of carrying a family legacy 04:37 - Why stepping away helped Key find a different relationship with horses 04:37 - What hunters and reining horses taught her about patience and learning 02:24 - Alex’s connection to returning to the saddle after years away 22:29 - The nerves and emotions that come with riding again as an adult 12:23 - Watching children grow in confidence through horses 15:04 - Pearson’s partnership with Domingo in the five-gaited division 14:15 - Key’s own return to the Saddlebred ring after 11 years away 40:56 - The difference between being a horse show mom and a horse show exhibitor 13:28 - Rebuilding confidence through consistency, trust, and time 37:10 - What makes five-gaited horses so powerful and unforgettable 44:59 - Creating a personal legacy in the Saddlebred industry If you have ever stepped away from something you loved, carried the weight of expectation, or wondered what it would feel like to come back later in life, this episode is for you.  Connect with Key Waller: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/key.waller [https://www.facebook.com/key.waller]  Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast]  #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/support]

The Horsemanship Behind Every Discipline with Brody Hickman

Send a Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner sits down with Brody Hickman, founder of Brody Hickman Riding Academy, for a conversation about horses, horsemanship, and the experiences that shape a rider across disciplines. Brody’s path began with Saddlebreds and Morgans, then expanded into Quarter Horses, reining, Western pleasure, and teaching. Through each chapter, one theme has stayed consistent: before riders choose a discipline, they need to understand the horse. Together, Alex and Brody talk about the value of building strong foundations, respecting the small details, and recognizing how much different corners of the horse world have in common. From the thrill of a Saddlebred down the rail to the feel of a reining horse in a sliding stop, this conversation explores the connection, timing, and care that sit at the heart of good riding. Brody also shares how his riding academy is helping students become more thoughtful, capable horsemen by teaching the lessons that begin long before anyone gets in the saddle. This episode is a warm reminder that every discipline may have its own style, but true horsemanship always starts with the horse. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to The Long Ride Home 01:30 - Brody’s Early Start with Morgans and Saddlebreds 03:54 - The Family Influence Behind a Life with Horses 12:11 - Learning the Feel of a Quarter Horse 14:30 - The Thrill of Connection Across Disciplines 18:03 - The Story Behind Brody Hickman Riding Academy 18:09 - Why Horsemanship Starts Before the Saddle 20:04 - Farm Management Lessons and Real Horse Care 22:46 - Teaching True Horsemanship and Horse Ownership 24:04 - Building a Foundation Before Choosing a Discipline 29:52 - What Brody Has Seen Across the Horse Industry 30:59 - Visibility, Awareness, and Growing the Sport 32:36 - Seeing Saddlebreds Through Fresh Eyes 40:39 - Why Different Disciplines Are More Similar Than They Seem Connect with Brody: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brody_hickman/ [https://www.instagram.com/brody_hickman/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brody.hickman.16 [https://www.facebook.com/brody.hickman.16]  Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast]  #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/support]

Lessons from a Lifetime in Saddlebreds with Dr. Amanda O’Keefe

Send a Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex reconnects with fellow Saddlebred rider and amateur exhibitor Dr. Amanda O’Keefe for a thoughtful conversation about horses, confidence, trainer trust, and the lessons that come from a lifetime in the sport. Alex and Amanda used to ride together at Cricket Hill, and their conversation brings a shared history to the surface, from the influence of their mothers to the memories, horses, and people that shaped their early years in the Saddlebred world. They discuss how riding changes with age and experience, how confidence is built through preparation, and why trusting the right trainer can make all the difference in a rider’s journey. Amanda also shares stories from the show ring, including catch-riding at Louisville, learning from challenging horses, and the mental strategies she uses to stay focused under pressure. Throughout the episode, Amanda offers a grounded look at what it means to keep growing as a rider. From choosing the right horse to navigating the ring with intention, she reflects on the lessons that come from years of showing, learning, and staying connected to the people and horses that make the Saddlebred world so meaningful. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Alex reconnects with Dr. Amanda O’Keefe 03:40 - Shared history, family ties, and memories from Cricket Hill 09:32 - Managing pressure and staying out of your own head 10:04 - Amanda’s unforgettable catch ride with Prima Ballerina at Louisville 13:17 - Setting goals you can actually control in the show ring 17:03 - Confidence, gratitude, and the horses that challenge you 21:02 - Warming up in the dark and learning to trust the ride 23:10 - Choosing the right horse and trusting your trainers 30:22 - How every season of riding asks something different of you 42:33 - The difference between learning to ride and learning to show 43:23 - How Amanda studies the ring before she shows 46:50 - “Check the back door” and other show ring strategy lessons 56:12 - Practice rides, routines, and preparing mentally before showing Connect with Dr. Amanda: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.o.keefe.297241/ [https://www.facebook.com/amanda.o.keefe.297241/]  Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast]  #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/support]

Rebuilding the Rider: Strength, Stability & Starting Again with Jack Latorre of Equibody Fitness

Send a Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner is joined by Jack Latorre, Founder and CEO of Equibody Fitness, for a conversation about rider fitness, body awareness, and what it really takes to come back to the saddle with strength and confidence. As Alex continues her return to riding after 26 years away, she has quickly realized that remembering how to ride is only part of the journey. The body changes. Tension shows up in new places. Strength, mobility, and stability matter in ways that can directly affect the horse underneath you. Jack shares his own path into horses, from starting lessons with his mom to competing in dressage and eventually discovering that his own body was becoming the limitation in his riding. That realization led him to build Equibody Fitness, a fitness program designed specifically for riders who want to improve how they move, feel, and communicate in the saddle. Together, Alex and Jack talk about why saddle time alone is not always enough, how targeted training outside the barn can support better riding, and why rebuilding the rider’s body can be one of the most important parts of starting again. In this episode, Alex and Jack discuss: 01:23 - Jack’s introduction to horses and his path through the dressage world 10:22 - How a Grand Prix goal exposed the limits of Jack’s own mobility and tension 14:49 - The difference between general fitness and training with a rider-specific goal 15:44 - Why strength, mobility, suppleness, and body awareness all matter in the saddle 16:19 - How a rider’s tension can affect the horse’s movement and responsiveness 17:58 - Why returning riders often need to rebuild more than just confidence 18:55 - How Equibody approaches rider fitness through movement assessments, video feedback, and personalized coaching 22:23 - What Alex has noticed in her own body since returning to riding 22:53 - Why the messy parts of the journey still matter Connect with Jack: Website: https://www.equibodyfitness.com/ [https://www.equibodyfitness.com/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jack.latorre.18/ [https://www.facebook.com/jack.latorre.18/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack.equibody.fitness/ [https://www.instagram.com/jack.equibody.fitness/]  Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast]  #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/support]

Writing Her Way Back: Emma Hudelson on Sky Watch and Returning to the Saddle

Send a Message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner sits down with Emma Hudelson, author of Sky Watch, for a conversation about horses, writing, and the lasting pull of the American Saddlebred. Emma shares how her fascination with Sky Watch deepened after seeing footage of the legendary horse at the American Saddlebred Museum, and how that moment led her into years of research, interviews, and writing. What began as a search to better understand one of the breed’s most iconic horses became something more personal: a reflection on her own return to riding and the memories, questions, and emotions that came with it. Together, Alex and Emma talk about the story behind Sky Watch, the generosity of horsemen like Mitch Clark and Don Harris, and the challenge of writing about a figure whose legacy still looms large in the Saddlebred world. They also explore Emma’s journey back into the saddle as an adult, from lesson programs and first horses to motherhood, loss, and finding her place in the sport again. This episode is both a look at Saddlebred history and a conversation about what it means to come back to something that shaped you. It’s about the horses who stay with us, the stories that ask to be written, and the long road back to the saddle. In this episode, Alex and Emma discuss: 03:35 - How Sky Watch came to life 07:04 - Why Sky Watch remains such a powerful figure in Saddlebred history 15:52 - Emma’s return to riding as an adult 21:39 - The emotional reality of horse ownership, rehoming, and loss 26:57 - Relearning how to ride and what the body remembers 29:49 - Balancing riding, writing, and motherhood 34:16 - Finding her next horse and stepping into a new chapter 38:12 - Thoughts on the future and visibility of the Saddlebred industry Connect with Emma: Website: https://www.emmahudelson.com/ [https://www.emmahudelson.com/]  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/efhudelson/ [https://www.instagram.com/efhudelson/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/efhudelson [https://www.facebook.com/efhudelson#] Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast]  #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599978/support]