The Go Eventing Podcast Podcast By Eventing Nation cover art

The Go Eventing Podcast

The Go Eventing Podcast

By: Eventing Nation
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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 dive into the heart of the sport with exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights from the top riders, coaches, and industry professionals.

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

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, a passionate fan, or just getting into the eventing scene, we’ve got something for you. From thrilling competition recaps to training tips, lifestyle stories, and a bit of humor along the way, join us as we celebrate the highs, lows, and everything in between of the world’s most exciting equestrian discipline. Let’s Go Eventing!

New episodes every other Tuesday. More content on EventingNation.com.

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • S2, E03: Go Eventing with Peter Gray, presented by Sentinel Horse Feeds

    S2, E03: Go Eventing with Peter Gray, presented by Sentinel Horse Feeds
    Mar 24 2026
    “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 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. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🔎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 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, 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 following her second-place finish at the 2026 Road to the Horse World Championship -- where she may have left without an empty trailer! [Road to the Horse YouTube replays] [Full interview with Carolina International CCI1* winner Lee Maher (and Chris Talley)] [Full interview with Carolina International CCI 2*, 3*, & 4* winner Tamie Smith] 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] [USEF Licensed Officials requirements] 2:07:20 - Finish Flags Follow along with Peter Gray! Instagram: @peterscottgray 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing, or you can reach us anytime at 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. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 🧑‍...
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    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • S2, E02: Go Eventing with Courtney Carson, presented by Maryland Horse Park System

    S2, E02: Go Eventing with Courtney Carson, presented by Maryland Horse Park System
    Mar 10 2026
    “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 someone who knows the sport from nearly every angle as a competitor, a dedicated FEI groom, and someone still navigating what comes next. Whether you're early in your equestrian career, mid-transition, or simply trying to find your footing in this ever-demanding industry, this conversation is for you. The eventing world is full of passion, but it isn't always easy to sustain. Join us as we dive into the real conversations our community needs to be having: about compensation, career paths, mental health, and what it means to build a life in the horse world that actually lasts. ----more---- 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 2? Host Sally Spickard sits down with top eventing groom Courtney Carson to talk about her journey from caring for Olympic athletes to a new chapter outside of the barn. As an Olympic-level FEI groom and program manager, equine insurance underwriter, Founding International Director and US Coordinator for the International Grooms Association, and a newly-appointed FEI Licensed Level 1 Steward, Courtney brings a multi-faceted perspective on what our industry asks of its people and what it owes them in return. This episode covers a special reunion between Courtney and longtime Doug Payne ride Vandiver, horse retirement, mental health, the importance of community, and how to make equestrian sport more accessible and sustainable for the next generation of professionals. 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... 01:03 - News & Notes: The Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase & Bouckaert Equestrian’s US Equestrian Open CCI4*-S Sally brings us all up to date on happenings from the $100,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field, including some exclusive interviews with our 2026 champion Phillip Dutton. We get an insight into the emotion behind his win due to Phillip's close relationship to the late Bruce Duchossois, and check in with other standout performances from Aiken, including Australia's own Sophia Hill. Sally also touches on Eventing Nation's presence at the event, where we partnered with Cherie Chauvin from Optimum Time Global Eventing Tourism to provide an educational "Win the Warmup" session with Silva Martin — a highlight that we hope to continue offering at future events! The US' first CCI4*-S of the season also took place this past weekend in Bouckaert Equestrian HT International — the first 2026 qualifier for this year's US Equestrian Open of Eventing. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor ended the weekend with a victory, moving Caroline up the US Equestrian Open's Leaderboard to tie for first place in the current standings. 19:45 - One Big Thing: Career Paths and Transitions within the Equine Industry Courtney speaks openly about the identity that comes with being a groom and the emotional complexity of stepping away — even when it's the right move. Thanks to his incredible owners Debi & Kevin Crowley, Courtney was also recently granted the chance to reunite with Vandiver, her long-time charge under Doug Payne, giving some great insights on the reality of retiring horses and what their lives look like outside the competition ring. She and Sally also address some of the thorniest issues in the equestrian workforce, from wages and housing to building support systems to the lack of structured career pathways for those entering the industry, hoping that our listeners can leave this episode with an eye open for what our eventing community can do better. 🏆If you'd like to win a copy of World Class Grooming by top FEI grooms Cat Hill and Emma Ford, click here to sign up for our weekly email newsletter "Between the Flags" -- we'll be drawing one winner from our subscribers to be announced on our next episode on March 24th! [Click here to learn more about everything the International Grooms Association offers] [Learn about the USEA Grooms Program and their 2026 Educational Series] 1:41:09 - Finish Flags Courtney expresses her willingness to work with anyone navigating the equestrian industry to find mentors, provide resources, teach about the freelancing life, or point them in the right direction for their desired career path. Get in touch with Courtney! Instagram: @courtlee26 Email: courtney@internationalgrooms.org 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing, or you can reach us anytime at 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. ----more---- 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, ...
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    1 hr and 47 mins
  • S2, E01: Go Eventing with Emily Hamel, presented by Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt Real Estate

    S2, E01: Go Eventing with Emily Hamel, presented by Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt Real Estate
    Feb 24 2026
    “Where Eventing Lives” Welcome back to Season 2 of Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. As the 2026 season kicks off, join us as we explore major developments shaping the sport — from the highly anticipated $100,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase in Aiken to structural changes within US equestrian leadership and the ripple effects of Olympic funding. The start of a new season is always about possibility, and this episode captures that forward-looking energy! Whether you’re following high-performance competition, navigating your own partnership with a single upper-level horse, or curious about the evolving structure of the sport, this conversation explores how structural decisions at the top level filter down to everyday competitors. ----more---- 🔎What’s Inside Season 2, Episode 1? Host Sally Spickard sits down with 5* eventing icon Emily Hamel to dive into the realities of building a partnership with a single top-level horse, the patience required to develop trust over time, and what it means to manage expectations while pursuing competitive goals. After their recent completion at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in October 2025, Emily and her 5* partner Corvett (known as Barry to his friends and fans) became the first North-American horse and rider pair to finish all six Northern Hemisphere CCI5* events — a huge achievement for not only their partnership, but eventing as a whole. With reflections on community, opportunity, and the vibrant equestrian hub of Aiken, this episode sets the tone for a season full of growth. 🔥In This Episode, We Cover... 02:38 - News & Notes: New FEI Leadership & Department Merge, Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, and Billionaire US Olympian Funding Sally and Emily discuss the upcoming $100,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase, considered the "season opener" in the heart of eventing country in Aiken, SC. Recent news highlights include Great Britain’s Molly Day joining the FEI as the Director of the newly-merged Eventing and Driving departments, vacating her former position of Event Director of EEI, a position subsequently succeeded by Vanessa Coleman, the former Competition Director for the Kentucky 5*. Sally and Emily also discuss an article highlighting billionaire Ross Stevens and the fund he created to provide $200,000 to every US Olympic and Paralympic Athlete over the next 6 years. [RSVP for the EN x Optimum Time 'Win the Warmup' Experience at Grand-Prix Eventing] [Watch the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase live on ClipMyHorse.TV] 19:45 - One Big Thing: Barry & the One-Horse 5* Journey Emily guides the listeners through her journey from meeting Barry to completing their 10th CCI5* together, and what the path looks like when climbing the levels to 5* with just one horse. She touches on mistakes she's learned from and lessons she'll take into partnerships with her up-and-coming horses. Emily places a big emphasis on goals, stressing the importance of a strong partnership while making sure to approach each horse as an individual, without trying to force your goals where they may not fit. She and Sally laugh about Barry's character quirks that have brought him such a devoted fan base, and how Emily has had to adjust her mindset over the years to cater to Barry's rather particular needs. [Video of Barry going to his room all on his own] 54:32- Sponsor Segment: "Emily in Aiken" with Deirdre Vaillancourt Real Estate While Emily may have moved to Aiken rather recently, she now considers it her home. Her home base of Good Fortunes Farm was scouted out by EN's amazing sponsor Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt Real Estate. 59:49 - Equestrian Keyboard Warriors ft. Emily's Kentucky Infamy If you enjoy Jimmy Kimmel's "Celebrities Read Mean Tweets", you'll love Emily reading some of the more opinionated comments on EN's first million-view reel from the Kentucky Three-Day Event last year, featuring Emily's infamous recovery after a particularly enthusiastic jump by Barry in show jumping! While many comments applauded her impressive save, the keyboard warriors -- as always -- came out to make sure Emily was informed on how they would do it differently! 1:10:54 - Finish Flags We have a wealth of exciting cohosts planned for this season, including recent Maryland 5 Star winner Felix Vogg, Olympic medalist Kim Severson, FEI Dressage Judge Peter Grey, and Belgian Olympic eventer Lara de Liedekerke-Meier — just to name a few! Go Eventing will also be debuting a new format in some future episodes, designed to provide a deep-dive of important topics we think deserve a more focused discussion. Stay tuned for our first discussion focusing on safety and technological advances in Eventing coming your way soon. 🎧 Tune In to Eventing Everywhere with EN Head over to EventingNation.com to read all the latest from all levels of eventing across the globe. Connect with us @goeventing, or you can reach us ...
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    1 hr and 14 mins
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