Practical Horseman Podcast Practical Horseman Podcast

In today’s Practical Horseman podcast, brought to you by Purina, we’re speaking with 24-year-old eventing phenom Mia Farley. At her young age, Farley has already established a name for herself in the eventing sphere’s upper echelons for helping develop and produce young eventing horses.
Farley grew up in San Clemente, California, and started riding at the age of 3 under the tutelage of her mother, hunter/jumper trainer Rebecca Farley. While eventing wasn’t as prevalent in Southern California as it is in areas of the East Coast, Farley got a taste for the sport after tagging along to an event with barn friends. One of her first memorable mounts was a black-and-white pony named Oreo Cookie who she rode for her first recognized event at the age of 8.
After falling in love with sport of eventing and with her parents’ support, Farley moved to Middleburg, Virginia, in 2018 to train and work with legendary eventers David and Karen O’Connor and their O’Connor Event Team. This momentous decision helped launch the horsewoman’s eventing career to the next level.
After Farely’s success with mare BGS Firecracker, a 2010 Irish Sport Horse, at numerous upper-level events including the 2023 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, a new “project” horse entered her life. Farley, however, never anticipated just how far she and Phelps, a plucky Off-the-Track Thoroughbred, would excel in eventing.
The bay gelding was originally purchased off the track by Joanie Morris and was later “sold” to David O’Connor for the grand price of $1 as a sales prospect. For one reason or another, Phelps just didn’t sell. So, instead, David put the young Thoroughbred in training with Farley.
She started Phelps at the Novice level at Hunt Club Farms in Virginia in the summer of 2018 and brought him out for his first FEI event at the CCI2*-S level at Great Meadow International in Virginia the following summer.
In 2022, Farley and Phelps finished on the podium in the CCI 4*-L at Morven Park in Virginia, which put the pair firmly on the radar as potential players to take the next step up. In October of 2023, Farley and Phelps tackled their first five-star event at the Maryland 5 Star, where they finished in fifth-place and took honors as the sole cross-country round to make it clear inside the optimum time.
Farley and Phelps' underdog story is one that resonates across disciplines and experience levels. Today we talk to the young eventer about her former racehorse taking on the most difficult challenge eventing has to offer and to learn more about how she trains young horses for intense sport of eventing.
This week’s Practical Horseman Podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. There’s more talk than ever about the importance of probiotics in equine health. But not all probiotics are created equal. New Purina Systemiq Supplement remains live & active after the pelleting process and throughout the digestive system making it all the way to the hind gut. Systemiq was designed to support normal recovery after exercise and occasional gastrointestinal stress. Whether you’re using a probiotic now or not, it’s time to use a live and active supplement from a name you trust. New Purina Systemiq probiotic.

This week's episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Purina, is with top international eventer Caroline Pamukcu.  
Caroline was a guest on the Practical Horseman Podcast back in 2021—episode 47 if you want to check it out—but a lot has changed since then. She got married and has experienced change and growth in other areas of her life, too. In 2022, Caroline consolidated her sales business and moved to England to train with Olympian Pippa Funnell. She returned to the states and, in 2023, she represented her home country at the Pan American Games in Quillota, Chile, where she claimed the individual gold medal aboard HSH Blake. Their efforts also helped the U.S. Eventing Team to a team silver medal. Now, Caroline is ranked 20th on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings list and has her sights are set on a spot on the U.S. Eventing Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 
This week’s Practical Horseman Podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. At Purina Animal Nutrition, we are focused on helping horses live their best lives. For wholesome nutrition that performs, try Purina Omolene horse feed. Formulated with Outlast gastric support supplement to support gastric health and proper pH, it keeps your horse performing with confidence. Put Purina's research to the test. Stop by your local Purina retailer or visit PurinaMills.com to learn more. 

This week's episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Purina, is with three-time U.S. Olympic eventer Boyd Martin.
Boyd moved from Australia to the United States in 2007 in pursuit of his international eventing dreams. Then, in 2009, he became an American citizen. Boyd has since represented the United States at three Olympic Games, three World Championships and two Pan American Games. He’s also had competitive success at every five-star across the globe, including two wins—Adelaide in 2003 and Maryland in 2021. In addition, he’s been named the United States Eventing Association’s Rider of the Year seven times.
A thanks to the sponsor of this week's podcast, Purina: Attention horse owners. Are you looking to help your horse recover with ease after a strenuous workout? Would you like to nourish your horse and their digestive system? If so, try the new Purina RepleniMash Product. It’s much more than a mash. RepleniMash promotes hydration, replenishes electrolytes and supports gastric comfort. Put Purina’s research to the test. Stop into your local Purina retailer and grab a bag of Purina RepleniMash Product.

This week’s episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Purina, is with longtime Kentucky Three-Day Event announcer, Charlotte Skinner-Robson.

This week’s episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Purina, is with leading hunter rider and top trainer, Geoffrey Hesslink.

This week’s episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by the Mustang Classic, is with five-star eventer and mustang trainer, Elisa Wallace.