On The Rail

Liz & Jenna

Welcome to On The Rail, the podcast exclusively for stock horse show amateurs, by amateurs. Join our passionate co-hosts as we explore every facet of the industry we all love, with engaging interviews featuring top competitors, seasoned professionals, and the Associations themselves. From behind-the-scenes insights to discussions on showing, economic impacts, and more, we cover it all. Saddle up and tune in every Monday to join our fellow amateurs on this exciting journey!

  1. 142. The Pulse of Rural Horse Shows: A Look Inside Bar K Bar Arena

    04/28/2025

    142. The Pulse of Rural Horse Shows: A Look Inside Bar K Bar Arena

    In this episode of On The Rail Podcast, Abby Wimer, marketing director for the Celebration Centre and Bar K Bar Arena in Lyons, Kansas, talks about the realities of managing a horse show facility in a rural area. Abby shares her background growing up on a cattle ranch in central Kansas and her subsequent career path in the pharmaceutical industry before returning home. She discusses her role in overseeing the operations of the Celebration Centre and Bar K Bar Arena, detailing the various equine and community events hosted at the facility. Abby highlights the importance of community involvement and support for maintaining and growing the facility, including the unique funding structure. She also reflects on the positive impact her late husband Matthew Wimer had on her work and the horse community. The conversation touches on the challenges of managing diverse events, adapting footing requirements for different disciplines, and the ongoing efforts to expand and improve the facility. Abby provides advice for show managers and facility operators in similar rural settings, emphasizing the value of community cooperation and continuous learning. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:07 Abby's Background and Journey 03:16 Joining the Celebration Center 04:17 Roles and Responsibilities 05:19 Community and Events 07:34 Memories and Tributes 10:48 Facility Overview and Operations 17:01 Equine Events and Activities 22:27 Managing the Arena 30:52 Weekly Routine and Challenges 36:46 Unique Features of the Facility 37:27 Exciting Retail Opportunities 39:43 Booking and Tourism Grants 42:11 Community and Family Atmosphere 51:27 Future Plans and Improvements 58:44 Advice for Show and Facility Managers 01:08:57 Living the Dream: Personal Reflections

    1h 15m
  2. 141. Behind the Scenes of Stallion Collection & Processing

    04/21/2025

    141. Behind the Scenes of Stallion Collection & Processing

    In this comprehensive episode of the On The Rail Podcast, accomplished guests Chelsea Sinclair and Jim Dettmer discuss the often misunderstood world of stallion collection, semen processing, and shipping. We discuss the intricacies of stallion behavior, training, and management, highlighting the importance of understanding both the mare's and stallion's sides in breeding practices. They share personal stories and valuable insights about best practices, common misconceptions, logistical challenges, and personal experiences in the industry, all while emphasizing the importance of communication and proper handling for successful breeding outcomes. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 01:00 Chelsea's Background in Horse Industry 02:17 Jim's Journey in Stallion Management 03:14 Importance of Understanding Stallion Management 04:50 Stallion Collection Process Explained 05:21 Training Stallions for Collection 14:47 Frequency and Logistics of Stallion Collection 19:21 Impact of Regimen on Stallion Fertility 24:54 Processing and Shipping Stallion Semen 43:13 Common Misunderstandings and Best Practices 49:57 Managing Mare Shipments: Strategies and Challenges 53:19 Communication and Logistics in Breeding Management 58:24 Shipping Realities and Impact on Semen Quality 01:03:39 Selecting and Managing Stallions for Breeding 01:14:54 Red Flags and Best Practices in Breeding Management 01:27:57 Personal Stories and Experiences in Breeding Management 01:33:30 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

    1h 36m
  3. 140. Horse Protection Act Updates

    04/14/2025

    140. Horse Protection Act Updates

    In this episode, we welcome back Kyle Elliot, a professional flat-shod Tennessee Walking Horse trainer from Shelbyville, Tennessee. The discussion primarily revolves around recent developments related to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and its implications for the entire horse industry. Kyle shares his perspective on the HPA regulations, their history, and the broader impact on various horse breeds. The conversation highlights the challenges and confusion surrounding the enforcement of the HPA, issues about funding, scar rules, and the complexities of self-policing within the horse industry. Concerns are raised about the uncertainty this brings to smaller horse shows and the potential changes needed to adapt to future regulations. The episode also touches on the broader horse industry's need for unity in addressing these regulatory changes. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:48 Background on the Horse Protection Act (HPA) 01:17 Kyle's Experience and Insights 02:05 Recent Developments and Industry Impact 02:40 Challenges and Confusion in the Industry 03:20 Historical Context and Legal Battles 05:14 Regulatory Enforcement and Industry Reactions 11:17 Future Implications and Ongoing Concerns 20:24 Inspection Protocols and Feasibility Issues 26:24 Liability and Management Concerns 38:19 Inspection Setback and Legal Challenges 39:15 Confusion and Delays in Implementation 40:12 USDA's Role and Public Response 42:20 Concerns Over Enforcement and Fairness 43:37 Potential Impact on Horse Shows 44:29 Legal Authority and Inspection Procedures 45:58 Scar Rule and Its Implications 48:19 Future of Horse Industry Regulations 01:02:05 Final Thoughts and Industry Unity

    1h 5m
  4. 138. In the Saddle with Joey Wenger

    03/31/2025

    138. In the Saddle with Joey Wenger

    In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we get into the intricacies of saddle making with custom saddle maker Joey Wenger from East Berlin, Pennsylvania. Joey shares his journey from growing up in a horse show family to becoming a renowned saddle maker. He discusses the challenges he faced starting his business, the learning curve of working with leather and tools without any prior experience, and how he gradually perfected his craft. Joey also provides insights into the importance of saddle trees, the process of designing custom saddles, and the evolving trends in the industry, particularly the rise of ranch saddles. This episode offers a thorough look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and innovation required to excel in the saddle making business. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:22 Joey's Background and Early Years 02:20 Starting the Leather Business 03:39 Challenges and Learning on the Job 06:12 Family Support and Initial Struggles 10:54 Transition to Saddle Making 20:22 Developing Custom Saddle Trees 29:49 Saddle Making Process and Custom Orders 38:56 Innovations in Saddle Design 39:22 The Rise of Ranch Saddles 42:39 Leather Tooling and Craftsmanship 46:48 Challenges in the Saddle Industry 50:33 The Impact of Rising Costs 55:43 Future Trends and Opportunities 57:17 Personal Reflections and Family Life 01:01:25 The Importance of Quality and Customization 01:08:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

    1h 13m
  5. 136. The Parrish Chronicles: Part 2

    03/17/2025

    136. The Parrish Chronicles: Part 2

    In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we converse with recurring guest Chase Parrish and his brother Cody Parrish. They discuss their family background in the horse industry, Chase's transition from football to becoming a Marine and starting Stable Savers, and Cody's experiences running the family horse training business. The brothers talk about lessons learned, the importance of integrity and patience, their experiences with the pony business they started as kids, and the qualities of a good client and horse trainer. Additionally, they reflect on their family’s strong Christian values and how that has shaped their success and approach to life and business. Related Links/Products: -The ultimate membership for horse owners who like saving money! Be sure to use code ONTHERAIL20 for 20% off your membership of Stable Savers! 00:00 Welcome to the On the Rail Podcast 01:32 Meet Chase Parrish: Marine and Horse Enthusiast 03:09 Introducing Cody Parrish: Life as a Horse Trainer 06:25 The Evolution of the Horse Industry 10:23 Lessons Learned from Growing Up in the Horse Business 14:29 The Pony Business: Childhood Memories and Lessons 23:47 Challenges and Advice for Young Trainers 39:47 Family Values and Integrity in Horse Training 42:40 Challenges of Balancing Family and Horse Training 44:30 Faith and Values in Sustaining a Family Business 46:56 Raising the Next Generation with a Love for Horses 51:52 Lessons Learned from Running Stable Savers 01:02:39 Qualities of a Good Client and Team Player 01:09:13 Contact Information and Final Thoughts

    1h 13m
5
out of 5
118 Ratings

About

Welcome to On The Rail, the podcast exclusively for stock horse show amateurs, by amateurs. Join our passionate co-hosts as we explore every facet of the industry we all love, with engaging interviews featuring top competitors, seasoned professionals, and the Associations themselves. From behind-the-scenes insights to discussions on showing, economic impacts, and more, we cover it all. Saddle up and tune in every Monday to join our fellow amateurs on this exciting journey!