The Dressage Radio Show

Horse Radio Network

The world's premier and longest running podcast about the elegant world of dressage and the official podcast of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). We provide the finest in news and interviews about the elegant world of Dressage.

  1. Dressage Today S7 E7: Interview with Chelsea Canedy, Author of “Finding Purpose"

    May 26 ·  Bonus

    Dressage Today S7 E7: Interview with Chelsea Canedy, Author of “Finding Purpose"

    In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, Stephany and Aviva interview dressage rider, upper-level eventer, mom and life-long learner Chelsea Canedy. The avid Mustang and meditation advocate talks about her debut memoir Finding Purpose: A Life Managing the Passion, Compulsion, and Borderline Addiction Called “Horses.” The book documents Chelsea’s time with horses and how they’ve shaped the trajectory of her life and gives readers a behind-the-scenes’ view of what it’s like to compete at the upper levels and the inner work that sustains it. Blending raw personal stories with lessons from her decade-long meditation practice and career studying equine behavior, the lifelong horsewoman reflects on resilience, identity and the joy of choosing a life built on passion. We also talked to Chelsea about how publishing her memoir has impacted the conversation she’s part of in the horse world, her beloved horses and how each is doing and many points of connection all horses lovers can relate to. This was such a fun interview; we know you’ll love listening to Chelsea, too, and will likely also find many points of connection with her! In this episode, Aviva and Stephany also catch up on what’s been happening in their respective horse worlds. Stephany talks about her recent venture up to WEC Ocala to compete with Dante, and Aviva is focused on avoiding the heat as much as possible as the unofficial summer kicks off. In our Ask the L segment, Aviva answers a question from listener Mary about collection and what judges expect to see at Second Level. Listen to get her keen advice! And as always if you enjoy our podcasts, please like and share them on social media! About This Episode's Sponsors: Farnam, Tribute and KPP Farnam This episode is brought to you by Farnam, celebrating 80 years of trusted equine care, and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control, a new fly spray for horses. When your horse needs to stay focused, it helps to take flies out of the equation. Endure Gold uses brand-new, EPA-approved ingredients never before seen in equine care to annihilate flies, ticks, and mosquitoes. This advanced formula delivers fast knockdown and up to 14 days of fly protection you can trust. Discover fly protection with Endure Gold from Farnam. Tribute What if your horse’s nutrition only changed when it truly mattered? That’s the philosophy behind Tribute Equine Nutrition. As a fixed-formula brand, they don’t make changes unless new research shows they can make their feeds meaningfully better—supporting things like digestibility, nutrient absorption, and overall performance. That’s why Tribute Equine Nutrition is upgrading every formula in their lineup, building on improvements made to their best-sellers and rolling those advancements out across 2026. To celebrate, Tribute has hidden golden tickets in random bags—worth up to a year’s supply of feed for one horse. Horse owners can also get a free, personalized feeding plan, and new customers receive their first bag shipped free. KPP Has your horse been diagnosed with a neurological or muscular disorder? Is he showing signs of muscle wasting and impaired balance or coordination? Studies show that supplemented water-soluble natural vitamin E can reach a horse’s brain and spinal cord through the blood-brain barrier, where it can benefit horses with neurological issues. If your horse has any of these problems, Elevate® W.S., a natural vitamin liquid, can help. A research-proven, powerful antioxidant, Elevate maintains healthy muscle, nerve, and immune function. It does this by delivering a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and retained in a horse’s tissues. For more information, visit KPPusa.com or call 859-873-2974. Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com and click “Get a Feed Plan” to learn more. Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com) Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest Guest: Chelsea Canedy | Facebook Our Sponsors this month: Farnam, Tribute, KPP

    1h 23m
  2. Marketing for riders with Emma Claire Stephens, Mary Zarek Kadar rides with Steffen Peters, Cindi Wylie becomes FEI 3* Judge

    May 15

    Marketing for riders with Emma Claire Stephens, Mary Zarek Kadar rides with Steffen Peters, Cindi Wylie becomes FEI 3* Judge

    This week on the Dressage Radio Show, we’ve got a fantastic lineup that takes you from the energy of a major international event to a once-in-a-lifetime riding experience, and finally into the judge’s booth at the highest levels of the sport. We start things off at the FEI Dressage World Cup, where we’re joined by Emma Claire Stephens. Emma gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her marketing business and what it really takes to promote riders, brands, and events in today’s dressage world. Next, we shift gears to a truly special riding experience. Mary Zarek Kadar joins us to talk about her opportunity to ride with Olympian Steffen Peters. To wrap up the show, we sit down with Cindi Wylie to talk about her journey to becoming an FEI 3* judge. From ringside at a World Cup event to riding with an Olympian and gaining insight from the judge’s perspective, this episode is packed with valuable perspectives from every corner of the dressage world. GUESTS AND LINKS FOR EPISODE 792: Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | FacebookTitle Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito ControlPremier Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products Guest: Emma Claire Stephens - Website | Facebook | InstagramGuest: Mary Zarek Kadar - FacebookGuest: Cindi Wylie - Website | FacebookBook Club: Fur Mama by Diana du PontDressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook

    57 min
  3. Dressage Today S7 E6: Interview With Christian Simonson, 2026 Dressage World Cup™ Final Silver Medalist (BONUS)

    May 8 ·  Bonus

    Dressage Today S7 E6: Interview With Christian Simonson, 2026 Dressage World Cup™ Final Silver Medalist (BONUS)

    In this special episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, we talk to rising dressage superstar and Team Prac memeber Christian Simonson fresh off his double silver podium placing with Indian Rock at the 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Christian tells us about his experience at his first-ever World Cup™ Final, his close partnership with "Rocky," what he loves so much about the sport and why he's excited to see dressage riders having more fun. As always, if you love our podcasts, make sure to subscribe, like and share them with your friends! About This Episode's Guest: Christian Simonson Growing up in Ventura, California, Christian Simonson had plenty of hobbies. From mountain biking and downhill skiing to scuba diving to getting his student’s pilot license at 15, he’s always had a sense of adventure, but dressage is where his heart lies. Having started dressage at 6 years old, Christian dedicated himself to the sport and had an illustrious junior career, which included competing at four FEI North American Youth Championships, winning junior team gold and individual silver in 2017, young rider team silver in 2018 and young rider team, individual and freestyle gold in 2021. He also won the Horseware Ireland/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship title at the 2021 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Christian has been part of the U.S. Dressage Young Rider European Tour three times, winning team bronze at the Future Champions CDIY in Hagen, Germany, twice, first with Zeaball Diawind in 2021, then with Son of a Lady in 2023. Under the tutelage of his coach, Olympian Adrienne Lyle, he has competed at CHIO Aachen, finishing third in the young rider freestyle with Son of a Lady twice in 2022 and 2023. He and Son of a Lady were named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2023 Pan American Games, where they helped secure team gold. Christian's success didn’t stop upon making it to the senior levels; in fact, he’s just gotten more competitive. Before Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center purchased Indian Rock for him to ride, the 23-year-old had never competed at Grand Prix, but with the 13-year-old stallion, he’s been unbeatable. They’ve never lost a class and were champions in the Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. In addition, he rode Fleau de Baian, who is also owned by Humphries, to the Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup Dressage National Championship. He started the 2026 season with “Rocky” by winning the CDI-W in at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, qualifying them for this year’s Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. In their World Cup™ Final debut, the pair brought the crowd to their feet with an explosive freestyle choreographed to the “Rocky” movies’ soundtrack to take silver on a personal best score of 83.81%. About This Episode's Sponsor: Zoetis® Equine Has your horse experienced lameness? Did you know that your veterinarian can use the healing power of your horse’s own blood to help manage lameness, joint pain and more? The Pro-Stride APS regenerative medicine device is designed to help keep horses feeling and performing at their best. Ask your vet if Pro-Stride APS may be a great option to help support your horse’s joint health journey. Zoetis® is always by your side in the barn, down the centerline and everywhere in between. Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com) Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest Guest: Christian Simonson Our Sponsors this month: Zoetis® Equine

    37 min
  4. Dressage Today S7 E5: Interview with an Israeli Horsewoman and Our Very Own Stephanie Ruff!

    Apr 28 ·  Bonus

    Dressage Today S7 E5: Interview with an Israeli Horsewoman and Our Very Own Stephanie Ruff!

    In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, we have a twist on our usual format with two interviews! Instead of doing our normal catch-up and “Ask the L” segment, we welcome back our friend and former Dressage Today editor Stephanie Ruff. She tells us what she’s been doing at The Horse and offers insights on her new podcast, “Feeding Horses.” Our other interview in this episode arose from a suggestion from one of our amazing listeners, who suggested we talk to an Israeli dressage rider after Aviva discussed her recent trip to Israel. In response to your request, we interviewed dressage rider, judge and coach Na’ama Segev Hasson. With more than 30 years of experience in the sport and as a member of the National Equestrian Federation’s Dressage and Education Committees, Na’ama is a central figure in Israel’s equestrian community and plays a vital role in shaping the sport’s future. She is also the co-founder and program manager of the “Pegasus” project, an equestrian leadership program designed to advance youth, instructors and trainers in Israel, and serves as chief examiner for their federation, overseeing the certification and training of instructors and coaches at all professional levels. Outside of her official roles, Na'ama is the proud mother of three, including daughter Maya, who is carrying on her mother’s riding tradition in both dressage and jumping. It was amazing to hear about the riding programs in Israel, as well as how both horses and riders are coping with riding and training during war times. We enjoyed getting to hear more about dressage in Israel, and we know that you will, too. Take a listen! As always, if you love our podcasts, make sure to subscribe, like and share them with your friends! About This Episodes Sponsors: Tribute Equine Nutrition and KPP Elevate® Tribute Equine Nutrition You know that feeling when everything comes together—the rhythm, the balance, the connection. At Tribute Equine Nutrition, that same pursuit of excellence drives us to keep improving. We’re upgrading our entire line with advanced formulations to better support your horse’s health, performance, and longevity. To celebrate, we’re hiding golden tickets in select bags—each one worth 40 free bags of feed… about a year’s supply for one horse. Ready to elevate your program? Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com for a free, personalized feeding plan. If you’re new to Tribute, your first bag is on us—and everything we make is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Be sure to mention Dressage Today sent you! Kentucky Performance Products Do you want to help ensure your breeding stallion’s reproductive efficiency? Do you want to make sure your newborn foal has the strongest immune system possible? Studies show that supplemental vitamin E can support a stallion’s sperm-cell quality and motility and offset the effects of stress associated with breeding. They also show that foals of mares supplemented with vitamin E have more responsive immune system than those that weren’t. Elevate® natural vitamin E can help. A research-proven, powerful antioxidant, Elevate maintains healthy muscle, nerve, and immune functions. It does this by delivering a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and retained in a horse’s tissues. For more information, visit KPPusa.com or call 859-873-2974. Our Sponsors this month: KPP and their product Elevate® & Tribute Equine Nutrition Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com) Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest Guest: Stephanie Ruff, Guest: Na'ama

    1h 12m
  5. Dressage Today S7 E4: 2026 World Cup Final Press Conference with the Top Three Finishers (BONUS)

    Apr 25 ·  Bonus

    Dressage Today S7 E4: 2026 World Cup Final Press Conference with the Top Three Finishers (BONUS)

    As part of our 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final post-coverage, this episode, sponsored by Tribute, features a press conference with the top three riders following the freestyle competition—Becky Moody, Christian Simonson and Sandra Sysojeva. British dressage powerhouse Becky Moody and her homebred 11-year-old gelding Jagerbomb delivered a dynamite and near flawless freestyle 2026 Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth. Set to a medley of The Beatles’ hits, the pair’s freestyle performance sent them to top the podium on a final score of 88.33%—a personal-best for both of them. Dressage movements are beautiful with or without a soundtrack, but there is something magical in the freestyle when a horse and rider have the technical ability not only to ride to music but to dance with it—and Moody and Jagerbomb, more commonly known as “Bomb,” proved to be the ultimate dance partners. From double pirouettes, one-tempis down the centerline and one and two-tempi serpentines to Beatles’ favorites like “All You Need is Love,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” their freestyle included plenty of technically difficult choreography, sending the explosive crowd into an eruption of applause and cheers. To the home crowd’s delight, the U.S.’s 23-year-old rising superstar Christian Simonson and 13-year-old KWPN stallion Indian Rock brought the crowd to their feet with an explosive freestyle choreographed to the “Rocky” movies’ soundtrack to take silver in their World Cup™ Final debut—also on a personal best score of 83.81%. Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva and her 10-year-old mare Maxima Bella rounded out the podium on a score of 80.77%, marking an impressive leap from their seventh-place finish at last year’s World Cup™ Final and underscoring just how quickly the young mare is maturing on the world stage. In this special episode, you’ll get behind-the-scenes’ feel for the World Cup press room and hear directly from these talented riders, fresh off their 2026 podium finishes. Take a listen! If you like what we are doing, remember to hit the LIKE button, share with your friends and make sure to subscribe! Our sponsor this month is Tribute Equine Nutrition. You know that feeling when everything comes together—the rhythm, the balance, the connection. At Tribute Equine Nutrition, that same pursuit of excellence drives us to keep improving. We’re upgrading our entire line with advanced formulations to better support your horse’s health, performance, and longevity. To celebrate, we’re hiding golden tickets in select bags—each one worth 40 free bags of feed… about a year’s supply for one horse. Ready to elevate your program? Visit TributeEquineNutrition.com for a free, personalized feeding plan. If you’re new to Tribute, your first bag is on us—and everything we make is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Be sure to mention Dressage Today sent you! Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com) Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest Guests: Becky Moody, Christian Simonson, and Sandra Sysojeva Our Sponsors this month: KPP and their product Elevate® & Tribute Equine Nutrition

    22 min
4.6
out of 5
76 Ratings

About

The world's premier and longest running podcast about the elegant world of dressage and the official podcast of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). We provide the finest in news and interviews about the elegant world of Dressage.

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