WEQ Weekly

Educated Rider: Raegan Rast & Madyson Buchanan

WEQ Weekly brings you the latest in collegiate equestrian, from meet recaps to recruiting tips and exclusive interviews with coaches and athletes. Tune in every Wednesday for expert insights and behind-the-scenes stories from the sport!

  1. 9h ago

    From the Coaches Corner: From Georgia’s Championship Team to Building a Winning Culture at UT Martin with Millie Foster | S3 E7

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down the biggest results from Week Eight of the NCEA season, including South Carolina’s difficult road weekend with back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and TCU, SMU’s impressive 2-0 weekend against Georgia and Oklahoma State, and Auburn’s continued undefeated season. They also recap a busy weekend of single-discipline competition, where Sweet Briar, Lynchburg, and Bridgewater each picked up victories over Swanee. With those results came some major movement in the Week Eight Coaches Poll, including SMU jumping to No. 2 in dual discipline and Sweet Briar climbing to No. 5 in single discipline. Then, in this week’s From the Coach’s Corner, they sit down with Melissa “Millie” Foster, Jumping Seat Assistant Coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin, to discuss her journey from a successful junior career to competing at the University of Georgia and now beginning her coaching career. After spending four years as a Bulldog, Foster helped Georgia capture its eighth national championship in 2025, earning nine career fences victories and becoming a four-year starter for one of the most successful programs in collegiate equestrian. She shares what made her experience at Georgia so special, the team culture behind their championship season, and the story of the now-famous brick that became a symbol of the team’s belief in itself leading up to Nationals. The conversation also explores her transition from student-athlete to coach, including how her perspective on riding, attention to detail, and the importance of mindset have evolved. Now at UT Martin, Foster discusses her goals for the Jumping Seat program, what makes the university and its self-funded equestrian program unique, and the opportunities available to riders who want to be highly involved with their horses and their team. Foster also offers valuable recruiting advice for prospective student-athletes, emphasizing the importance of academic fit, gaining experience on different horses, putting effort into personal communication with coaches, and remaining open-minded about the college riding experience. From a memorable championship story at Georgia to building the next chapter at UT Martin, this episode highlights the impact of team culture, the importance of the details, and the many opportunities collegiate equestrian has to offer. This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  2. Nov 5

    Beyond the Roster: Anna Donovan on UC Davis, Title IX, and Fighting for Female Athletes | S3 E6

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. Week 7 brought one of the busiest stretches of fall competition, highlighted by SMU’s upset victory over Texas A&M, Oklahoma State’s win over TCU, and Minnesota Crookston’s second NCEA victory in program history. Maddy and Raegan recap all of the weekend’s action across both dual and single discipline competition, including Fresno State’s challenging three-meet road trip against South Carolina, Georgia, and Auburn. Plus, they break down the latest NCEA coaches poll, discuss SMU’s rise to No. 4, Georgia’s move into the top three, and Delaware State’s debut in the dual discipline top 10. Then, we’re joined by Anna Donovan, a former UC Davis Equestrian student-athlete and one of 19 former team members who filed a Title IX class action lawsuit against the university following the elimination of its equestrian program. Anna shares her journey from the junior hunter and equitation circuits to Division I collegiate riding, what made UC Davis such a special fit, and the team culture that shaped her experience as an Aggie. She also takes us through the emotional impact of learning the program would be discontinued, the questions that followed the university’s financial justification, and the decision to pursue legal action after further research raised concerns about the university’s athletic financial aid distribution. We take a deeper look at what Title IX means for female student-athletes, why the lawsuit extends beyond the equestrian program, and the importance of holding universities accountable for providing equitable opportunities in collegiate athletics. Anna also discusses the value of collegiate equestrian, the often-unseen work that goes into competing at the college level, and her plans to pursue a master’s degree in kinesiology and a future career in sports psychology. From a busy week of competition and a changing NCEA landscape to an important conversation about Title IX, advocacy, and the future of opportunities for female student-athletes, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. If you would like to learn more about the Title IX lawsuit you can do so here. Additionally, if you would like to support the UC Davis equestrian team you can do so at keepdavisriding.com This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  3. Oct 29

    Stronger in the Saddle: Training Like a Division I Equestrian with Taylor Larson | S3 Ep5

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy recap Week Six of NCEA competition, breaking down a weekend of exciting matchups, including South Carolina’s win over Georgia, Auburn’s last-ride victory over Texas A&M, and TCU’s raw-score tiebreaker win over Baylor. They also cover Dartmouth’s undefeated start to the season and the latest coaches poll rankings. Then, in this week’s interview, they sit down with TCU Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Human Performance Coach Taylor Larson, who played a major role in their development as collegiate athletes. Coach Taylor shares his approach to training equestrians like the Division I athletes they are, why strength and conditioning extends far beyond the weight room, and how physical preparation can build confidence in the saddle. The conversation also explores the physical demands of collegiate equestrian, the importance of core stability, posture, and work capacity, and how strength coaches help athletes prepare for the demands of competition. Coach Taylor shares his philosophy on building accountability, mental toughness, and team camaraderie in an individual sport, along with practical advice for young riders preparing for college athletics and the importance of becoming a lifelong student of your sport. This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  4. Oct 22

    Beyond the Roster: From Fresno State’s Comeback Win to Life as a Bulldog with Alana Becker | S3 E4

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. Fresno State made a statement with an 11–8 comeback victory over Oklahoma State, earning its first win of the season and making program history in the process. Maddy and Raegan recap all four meets from Week 5, including Lynchburg’s win over Sweet Briar and College of Charleston’s two-win weekend against Sewanee and Barry. Plus, they break down the latest NCEA coaches poll, highlight the biggest ranking changes, and share which teams are making moves as the season continues. Then, we’re joined by Alana Becker, a senior reining rider at Fresno State Equestrian and a standout competitor with an impressive background in the Arabian show circuit. Alana shares her journey from Arabian national championships and NRHA competition to collegiate equestrian, what drew her to Fresno State, and how she has balanced competing on her college team with showing her own horses throughout her four years. She also discusses the close-knit culture at Fresno State, the importance of leadership and communication, what she wishes she had known during recruiting, and the resources available to collegiate student-athletes. From a historic comeback and early-season rankings to recruiting advice and the unique experience of balancing collegiate and individual competition, this episode has everything you need to stay up to date on college equestrian! This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  5. Oct 15

    From the Coach’s Corner: Recruiting, Rider Development & Hollins’ NCEA Debut with Sherri West | S3 E3

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. This week on WEQ Weekly, Raegan and Maddy break down the biggest results from Week Four of the NCEA season, including Auburn’s statement win over defending national champion South Carolina, Georgia’s season-opening victory over Texas A&M, and TCU’s dominant performance against Fresno State. They also highlight key single-discipline matchups, recognize September’s NCEA Riders of the Month, and celebrate TCU junior Sidney Fager as the Educated Rider Standout Student-Athlete of the Month. Then, in this week’s From the Coach’s Corner, they sit down with Sherri West, Director of Equestrian Programs and Head Riding Coach at Hollins University, to discuss the program’s first season competing in the NCEA. With a longstanding tradition in collegiate equestrian through the IHSA, Hollins is entering an exciting new chapter. West shares what led to the decision to add NCEA competition, how her riders have adapted to a new format, and what she learned from their first meet against defending national champion South Carolina. The conversation also explores the differences between IHSA and NCEA, Hollins’ academic and campus experience, and what coaches look for in prospective student-athletes beyond their riding ability. West offers valuable recruiting advice for riders and parents, emphasizing the importance of coachability, kindness, and finding a college that supports a student’s goals both in and out of the arena. From an eventful week of NCEA competition to an inside look at one of the sport’s newest programs, this episode explores the evolving landscape of collegiate equestrian and the opportunities available to riders pursuing college athletics. This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  6. Oct 9

    Beyond the Roster: Three Meets, Big Matchups & Life as an SMU Mustang with Hampton Baker | S3 E2

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. From South Carolina’s statement wins over SMU and TCU to SMU’s impressive performance during a challenging three-meet weekend, there’s plenty to break down. Maddy and Raegan recap Baylor’s two-win rebound, Delaware State’s victory over UT Martin, and Dartmouth’s upset over reigning single-discipline national champion Lynchburg. Plus, they share their biggest takeaways from the weekend and which teams they’re keeping an eye on as the season unfolds. Then, we’re joined by Hampton Baker, a sophomore jumping seat rider at SMU Equestrian and one of the first Educated Rider graduates! Hampton shares her unique journey from the hunter and jumper rings to collegiate equestrian, what ultimately led her to SMU, and how she navigated the recruiting process without the traditional equitation background. She also gives us an inside look at SMU’s team culture, the impact of new assistant jumping seat coach Maggie Nealon, balancing Division I athletics with Greek life, and what it really takes to thrive as a student-athlete. From early-season upsets and powerhouse matchups to recruiting advice and a behind-the-scenes look at life on a Division I team, this episode has everything you need to stay up to date on college equestrian! This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  7. Oct 1

    WEQ Weekly Is Back! New Coaches, New NCEA Programs & 5-Year Eligibility | S3 Ep 1

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. WEQ Weekly is back for Season Three, brought to you by Educated Rider! Maddy and Raegan are officially back for the 2026–27 NCEA season, and instead of jumping straight into the competition recap, they’re kicking things off by breaking down what changed over the summer and what it could mean for the season ahead. From new coaching faces at TCU, SMU, UT Martin, Baylor, and Sewanee to new NCEA programs at Hollins and Washington and Lee, there’s a lot happening across college equestrian. Maddy and Raegan also break down the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility model, explain what recruits and families need to know about the changes, and discuss the Protect College Sports Act and its potential implications for college athletics and equestrian. Then, it’s time to talk horses! The first two weeks of competition brought some big results, including South Dakota State’s upset over Baylor, TCU’s 16–2 season opener, Auburn’s dominant start, and standout individual performances from riders like Taylor Cawley and Hailey Hanson. Plus, with TCU heading to South Carolina and several major matchups on the horizon, Maddy and Raegan look ahead at the early-season meets they’ll be watching closely. New coaches, new programs, NCAA changes, early-season results, and everything we’re watching as the 2026–27 season gets underway—it’s all here on the first episode of Season Three of WEQ Weekly! This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

  8. May 12

    2026 NCEA National Championship Recap + South Carolina's Head Coach Carol Gwin | S2 E15

    Got questions? Want to share a story? We’d love to hear from you! Tap below to send us a text. South Carolina Equestrian just won the 2026 NCEA National Championship and the story of how they got there is one of the best in collegiate equestrian. This week, Raegan and Maddy sit down with Gamecocks head coach Carol Gwin — one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport. Gwin led SMU to back-to-back NCEA National Championships in 2023 and 2024, then returned to South Carolina in 2024 and immediately got to work.  Last year: an SEC Championship.  This year: a national title, clinched in a dramatic tiebreaker. In this episode: a full recap of the 2026 NCEA National Championship, what it's like to win a title at two different programs, how Gwin rebuilt South Carolina into a contender, and what she's learned about building teams that compete when it matters most.  This episode was brought to you by the McDonogh School. McDonogh School is an independent PK–12 day and boarding school on an 800-acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. With talented teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, a 10-acre working farm, and a world-class equestrian program, McDonogh inspires joy in learning and prepares students to be a force for good in the world. Learn more at mcdonogh.org. We love bringing you WEQ Weekly! If you enjoy the podcast, show your support by following us on social media, subscribing, and leaving a rating. Your support means the world to us! Instagram Facebook Website

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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

WEQ Weekly brings you the latest in collegiate equestrian, from meet recaps to recruiting tips and exclusive interviews with coaches and athletes. Tune in every Wednesday for expert insights and behind-the-scenes stories from the sport!

Information

  • Creator
    Educated Rider: Raegan Rast & Madyson Buchanan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WEQ Weekly
  • Show Website
    WEQ Weekly

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