In Stride

This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 4* event rider Michael Nolan. Michael Nolan is a skilled Irish event rider with a diverse background in fox hunting, racehorses, show jumping, and eventing. He rode for top Irish yards including Cooley Farms, Kedrah House Stud, and Tomgar Sport Horses before moving to the U.S. to further his career. He spent seven years working with 4* rider and ICP instructor Robin Walker, developing horses through the advanced level. Michael’s recent results include top finishes at the 2023 Morven Park and Plantation Field CCI3*-S with Carrabeg Hulla Balou. He now runs Nolan Sporthorses, a training and coaching business, with his wife Mckenna Knott. They are based in Florida during the winter and Michigan in the summer. In this episode, Michael shares an inside look at the realities of the industry, including: • How he got his start with horses in Ireland and eventually found his way to eventing. • His approach to starting young horses and why he believes professionals should develop their own. • The differences in horse culture between the U.S. and Ireland. • The importance of trusting your feel in the saddle and teaching students to do the same. Join Michael and Sinead for an honest and insightful conversation about building a career in eventing, from breaking young horses to trusting your instincts in the saddle.

This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 4* event rider Alex O’Neal. Alex O’Neal is a top-level U.S. event rider and course designer known for his thoughtful approach to developing both horses and riders. Originally from the Chicago area, Alex grew up foxhunting and competing in Pony Club. Now based in Ocala, Florida, he competes successfully through the four-star level and has earned accolades including a win at the Ocala Jockey Club CCI3*-L, a top finish at the USEF National 7-Year-Old Championship, and multiple selections to the USEF Development Training List. Alongside his wife, 5* event rider Ellie O’Neal, he runs O’Neal Equestrian, a thriving program focused on training, competition, and breeding. The pair have produced numerous homebred “Redtail” horses, regularly developing young talent through the USEA’s YEH and FEH programs. With a passion for course design and a commitment to horsemanship, Alex continues to be a respected and rising presence in the U.S. eventing community. In this episode, Alex shares insights into his career, business, and life in the sport, including: • What it’s been like competing in Europe as part of the Developing Tour and how the experience is shaping his perspective. • How his business model has evolved over the years and the lessons he’s learned along the way. • The dynamic he and his wife Ellie have as partners in both business and riding, and how they support each other in and out of the saddle. • Why he values starting his horses from the ground up through his breeding program and how that impacts long-term success. Join Alex and Sinead in this engaging conversation about riding at the highest level while building a business and a balanced life around it.

This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 5* event rider Sally Cousins. Sally Cousins is an accomplished FEI 5* international event rider and was the USEA Leading Lady Rider for six consecutive years (2008–2013). She began riding as a young child after her family purchased a farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania, and quickly found her passion through Pony Club and the sport of eventing. By her mid-teens, Sally had completed her first one-star three-day event, and at just 20 years old, she traveled to England to compete at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials. She remained in the UK that year and went on to complete the Burghley Horse Trials later that season. In addition to her riding career, Sally spent 16 years working as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before deciding to turn professional and commit fully to eventing. Today, she operates Sally Cousins Eventing, training horses and riders out of her bases in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. In this episode, Sally reflects on the choices and philosophies that have shaped her decades-long career in eventing, including: • How being strategic about which events she entered helped her horses stay sound and competitive for longer. • Why she’s never hesitated to withdraw a horse at the last minute if they weren’t ready, prioritizing their well-being over competition goals. • What led her to leave a successful 16-year career as a stockbroker to pursue horses full-time. • The importance of building a trusting relationship with each horse and following her gut when deciding whether to push forward or hold back. Join Sally and Sinead in this thoughtful conversation about longevity, horsemanship, and the mindset behind a sustainable career in the sport.

This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 4* event rider Jenny Caras. Jenny Caras is a top American event rider and international competitor. Originally from Cartersville, Georgia, she got her start foxhunting and training with Cathy Stephenson, later developing under Olympic medalist Julie Richards. She earned team gold and individual bronze at the 2013 NAJYRC, was the top-placed young rider at Fair Hill CCI3* in 2015, and won the CCI3*-L at Bromont in 2018. In 2023, she claimed victory in the CCI4*-L at TerraNova with Trendy Fernhill. Jenny has been a consistent member of the USEF Eventing Pathway Program, was awarded the Wilton Fair Grant, and has represented the U.S. on European Development Tours. After three years working with Phillip Dutton, she launched Caras Eventing International. She is currently based in England and continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport. In this episode, Jenny shares her story and pivotal moments in her career, including: • How receiving the Wilton Fair Grant was a life-changing opportunity, helping make international travel and competition financially possible. • Her experience working with racehorses, how the approach differs between the U.S. and England, and how it has shaped the way she trains her event horses. • Why she chose not to immediately join a training program upon arriving in England, trusting her instincts and understanding what was best for herself and her horses. • Her decision to work with a sports psychologist, what led her to it, and how it’s positively impacted her performance and mindset. Join Jenny and Sinead in this inspiring conversation about the decisions, risks, and resilience that have shaped her career.

This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by 5* international event rider Bec Braitling. Bec Braitling is an accomplished international event rider and highly respected coach. Originally from Australia, she represented her country at the Young Rider Trans-Tasman Championships in 1998, 2000, and 2002, and was selected to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Test Event. Since then, she has earned top results at CCI4* and CCI5* events around the world and represented Australia at the 2023 CHIO Aachen and Nations Cup at Haras de Jardy. Bec is a USEA ECP Level V certified instructor and a member of the ECP Faculty. She coached the Area VI Young Riders and NAYC Eventing Team from 2017 to 2019, and currently serves on the USEA ECP Committee, the EA21 Task Force, and as a Regional Coach for the EA21 program. In recognition of her contributions to the sport, Bec was awarded the USEA Foundation's Captain Mendivil-Yucupicio Grant in 2021 and received the Mike Huber Trophy for her dedication to the next generation of riders. She is the head trainer at Arnell Sporthorses and based out of Twin Rivers Ranch. In this episode, Bec shares key insights and experiences from her career, including: • Why she chose to move to the U.S. and how her experiences differed on the East and West Coasts. • Her experience with the Instructor Certification Program and how it shaped her as a coach. • The importance of getting horses in the ring and how access to competition opportunities can vary depending on where you are. • Her partnership with her top horse, Ernie, and the journey they’ve shared. Join Bec and Sinead in this exciting conversation that spans continents, career milestones, and the lessons learned along the way.