Athletic Equestrian: Riding In College Podcast

Sally Batton
  • 4.9 (10)
  • Sports
  • Updated Monthly

Navigating the world of collegiate riding is a mystery to most young rider athletes and their families. Sally Batton, a collegiate varsity equestrian coach for over 30 years, interviews coaches, organizations and riders for their insight on what it takes to ride on a collegiate equestrian team. So saddle up and join her as she reveals the inner workings of collegiate equestrian.

  1. May 29

    #207 Master Saddler Jochen Schleese

    Jochen Schleese is a Certified Master Saddler, internationally recognized saddle fitting expert, author, and founder of Schleese Saddlery Service and Saddlefit 4 Life®. After his own riding career was cut short due to his horse suffering saddle-related injuries, Jochen dedicated his life to improving equine welfare through proper saddle fit and ergonomics. For more than 40 years, he has educated riders, trainers, veterinarians, and saddle professionals worldwide, authored bestselling books on saddle fit, and pioneered innovations in adjustable, gender-correct saddle design that have transformed the industry.

    50 min

  2. May 15

    #206 IHSA Hunt Champions Savannah College of Art & Design

    Joining the podcast are members of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) equestrian team, fresh off an impressive performance at the IHSA National Championships. Representing the program are Head Coach and Equestrian Director Ashley Henry, Assistant Coach Sammy Perlman, and several standout student-athletes who earned multiple national titles, top-10 finishes, and championship honors across team and individual competition. SCAD continues to showcase the depth, talent, and excellence that have made the program one of the nation's premier collegiate equestrian teams.

    47 min

  3. May 1

    #205 NCEA Champions University of Lynchburg

    The University of Lynchburg, one of the top programs in collegiate equestrian, talks about their recent NCEA National Championship win. Under the leadership of Phillip Williamson, the Hornets have built a nationally recognized program with multiple championship titles. Joining him are standout student-athletes Kristin Palmer, Stella Patenaude, Amaya Bellfield, and Maddy Rubin, all of whom have helped contribute to the Hornets' success through their talent and determination.

    44 min

  4. Apr 17

    #204 Washington & Lee Head Coach Chris Mitchell

    is the Head Riding Coach and Associate Professor of Physical Education at Washington and Lee University. With more than 30 years of experience in the equestrian industry, he has coached nationally competitive collegiate riders and programs at Albion College, Randolph College, and Cornell University. A Virginia native, Mitchell has also served as Director of Jumper Programs for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association and remains active in collegiate equestrian leadership through the IHSA. In 2025, he received the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his longstanding contributions to the sport.

    29 min

  5. Apr 3

    #203 Otterbein Dressage Alum & IEA Rep Montana McKnight

    grew up in Nicaragua, where she trained in Jumpers and Dressage. She went on to compete in the IDA at Otterbein University, earning B.S. degrees in Marketing and Psychology in 2020. After interning with the IEA Marketing Office during college, Montana joined IEA Marketing full-time following graduation. She has since relocated several times and is now based in Denver. She has served as a Youth Board Advisor since 2021 and helped develop the IEA Team Captains Campaign and Region Captains programs.

    30 min

  6. Mar 20

    #202 EQ Media Carrie Wirth

    Carrie grew up at United States Military Academy at West Point, where her father served as Officer in Charge of the Cadet Riding Team. That early connection led to a lifelong relationship with the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA). After a career in marketing and communications Carrie moved to Wellington, Florida and later founded EQ Media. Today, her firm manages IHSA's communications, marketing, and sponsor relations and also works with W. F. Young on brands including Absorbine.

    32 min

  7. Mar 6

    #201 Penn State Alum & Author Rennie Dyball

    Rennie Dyball is the author or co-author of more than twenty books, including the award-winning SHOW STRIDES series, GOOD BOY, EDDIE, and THE ADHD FIELD GUIDE FOR ADULTS. She is a freelance editor, a college essay coach, and a lifelong horse lover who competes in the adult hunter and equitation divisions. In college, Rennie rode on the Penn State IHSA equestrian team for four years, serving as captain during her senior year.

    31 min

  8. Feb 20

    #200 IHSA Founder Bob Cacchione

    Celebrate the 200th episode of the Riding in College Podcast with IHSA founder Bob Cacchione. Follow along as he shares how he started the association with just six schools and a dozen riders and how it expanded in the years since. The concept was simple but revolutionary: eliminate the need for riders to own horses and provide mounts at each competition in a catch-ride format. Honored as one of the 20th Century Most Influential Horsemen, Bob Cacchione is mentioned as a beacon of the industry by most of the podcast guests.

    40 min
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4.9
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About

Navigating the world of collegiate riding is a mystery to most young rider athletes and their families. Sally Batton, a collegiate varsity equestrian coach for over 30 years, interviews coaches, organizations and riders for their insight on what it takes to ride on a collegiate equestrian team. So saddle up and join her as she reveals the inner workings of collegiate equestrian.

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