No Sponsors, No Plan B – The Journey of Daniel Bachmann Andersen

No Sponsors, No Plan B – The Journey of Daniel Bachmann Andersen

In this episode of Saddle Me Talk, Carsten Engelke sits down with top Danish dressage rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen at his beautiful facility near Aarhus. Daniel opens up about his personal journey – from a horse-crazy kid with no riding background to an internationally successful rider, trainer, and family man. He shares honest insights about going independent, making tough decisions, and building everything from the ground up – without sponsors, and without a backup plan. Of course, they also dive into horses: modern breeding, saddle systems, riding with feel, and how to balance elite sport with true harmony and horse welfare. An inspiring, down-to-earth conversation about details, mindset, and the courage to do things differently. Tune in now!

Riding with Feeling – A Personal Insight into Benjamin Werndl

This episode of Saddle Me Talk gets personal: Carsten Engelke meets Benjamin Werndl in Aubenhausen for an open conversation about equestrian sport, responsibility, and building a true connection with the horse. Benni shares not only his riding philosophy, but also personal insights into his journey with horses, his family, his roots – and what truly drives him today. An honest talk about values, gut feeling, saddle-related topics, and the courage to question established practices in equestrian sports. Tune in now – for everyone who doesn’t just want to ride horses, but truly understand them.

Do horses really have more health problems nowadays? Or is our perspective just more precisely?

This episode of Saddle Me Talk is honest, direct and personal. Carsten's guest is Dr Ralf Pellmann, a vet and rider who is an old acquaintance of his. They have worked together for many years and share a passion for honest horse work. Together, they discuss deformed backs, lame horses, crooked riders, and why so many young horses have problems today. Is breeding to blame? The riders? Or are we simply taking a closer look? The conversation covers movement, resilience and the misunderstandings between science and practice, and how we can all improve things for our horses, whether we are recreational riders or professionals. Listen now, subscribe and spread the word!

Morten Arve Thomsen: The Talent Code

In this spontaneous second episode of the "Saddle Me Talk," we sit down with horse trainer Morten Thomsen to explore the art of proper horse training, no matter the discipline. From dressage to show jumping, all horses benefit from a systematic approach rooted in patience, understanding, and tailored physical conditioning.Morten shares insights into his unique training methods, emphasizing the importance of balance and strength-building exercises for horses. He also explains why slow, deliberate practice is the key to long-term success. Additionally, Morten reveals details about his upcoming book and accompanying educational videos designed to help horse owners and riders deepen their knowledge and improve their horse-training skills.Whether it’s about developing "muscle memory," understanding the value of physical communication, or addressing the challenges of modern breeding, this talk offers valuable perspectives for anyone seeking to train and care for their horses holistically and sustainably.📖 Learn more about Morten’s book project and his training philosophy in the podcast. Enjoy listening! 🐴✨

Morten Arve Thomsen: Trick or Training?

Today, we’re honored to have the legendary Morten Thomsen with us – a name that needs no introduction in the equestrian world.In this insightful conversation, we explore Morten's unique approach to horse training, focusing on communication, trust, and step-by-step development. From addressing critiques about “trick training” to emphasizing the importance of understanding each horse’s individual needs, Morten sheds light on why his methods are about much more than just achieving movements like Piaffe or Passage.Discover how early groundwork, patience, and understanding modern sport horse sensitivities can make a huge difference in training, both mentally and physically. Morten also shares his perspective on building a harmonious partnership with horses, where communication is key, and training becomes a journey of mutual respect and growth.If you’re passionate about horses and want to learn more about holistic, thoughtful training methods, this talk is a must-watch. Enjoy! 🐴✨📌 Key Topics: * Communication vs. Command in horse training * Understanding modern sport horses and their physical challenges * Morten’s early groundwork techniques * The fine line between "trick training" and real education * Why early, slow, and deliberate training leads to long-term success