The Elevated Equestrian

Samantha Baer
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Elevated Equestrian is where horse people come to think deeper about riding, training, and connection. Hosted by professional event rider Samantha Baer, the podcast dives into biomechanics, horse welfare, mindset, and the realities of modern equestrian sport. Each week brings honest conversations with riders, trainers, and innovators who are changing how we work with horses. If you want to ride better, think differently, and put your horse first, this podcast is for you.

  1. 3D AGO

    RERELEASE: Will AI Make Dressage Judging Fair? - Inga Wolframm

    In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian podcast, Samantha Baer sits down with Inga Wolframm, Professor of Sustainable Equestrianism, to uncover the hidden biases in dressage judging. From eye-tracking research to AI-assisted scoring, they dive into the future of equestrian sports, sustainable horse training, and why flashy movement gets rewarded over correct biomechanics. Don't miss this deep dive into the biggest judging controversy in horse sport!

    1 hr

  2. JAN 26

    Do Horses Actually Want To Be Ridden? - Elsa Sinclair

    In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with horse trainer, author, and filmmaker Elsa Sinclair to ask the uncomfortable question that changed her entire approach to horses: do horses actually want to be ridden—if they truly had a choice? What starts as a simple question quickly opens the door to a radically different way of thinking about training, consent, and partnership. We talk about what it really means to train from the horse’s point of view, including Elsa’s decision to start a mustang without a halter, without food rewards, and without trapping or forcing participation. She shares how prioritizing the horse’s sensory and emotional systems—not just physical training—completely reshaped her understanding of motivation, cooperation, and trust. This conversation dives deep into sensory-based and emotional training, the peak-end rule and how horses form memories, and why many “problem behaviors” are actually patterns we unintentionally train into our horses. We also explore how these ideas apply to sport horses, especially sensitive, expressive horses who struggle with anxiety, explosiveness, or shutdown in high-pressure environments. If you’ve ever questioned where the line is between consent and compliance, or felt stuck between wanting partnership and needing results, this episode will challenge you—in the best way. 👉 Subscribe to The Elevated Equestrian wherever you listen to podcasts for more honest conversations about horsemanship, performance, and putting the horse first without losing the joy of the sport.

    1h 1m

  3. JAN 19

    When “Metabolic” Is the Symptom, Not the Cause - Allison Lepanto

    When a horse is labeled “metabolic,” it often feels like the end of the conversation. In this episode, I’m joined by Alison Lepanto, founder of Cataract Nutrition, to challenge that assumption and explore what may actually be driving inflammation, behavioral changes, and metabolic red flags in horses. We unpack the difference between sugar management and toxic load, what GMO and herbicide exposure really means for equine health, and how nutrient density is lost from many modern feeds and pastures. We also discuss why some horses seem constantly hungry despite being fed “enough,” and how chronic inflammation can show up as both physical and behavioral symptoms. The conversation expands into pasture biology, rotational grazing, and hay diversity, including practical strategies for horses on dry lots, stall rest, or limited turnout. Alison shares accessible management approaches that support soil health, gut health, and long-term resilience without turning horse ownership into an all-or-nothing system. If you’ve ever felt like something is off with your horse but couldn’t quite explain it, this episode offers a new lens on longevity, welfare, and thriving—not just surviving. Follow The Elevated Equestrian and subscribe so you don’t miss future horse-first conversations.

    51 min

  4. JAN 12

    Building a Brave Young Horse - Gabi Neurohr

    Starting a young horse will expose your nervous system faster than any training issue ever could. In this episode, I sit down with Gabi Neurohr of Understanding Horses to talk about emotional regulation—why it matters, how horses mirror it, and what happens when we lose it under pressure. We dive into what it actually means to be a steady leader for a young horse, how to tell the difference between a horse that feels safe versus one that is simply compliant, and why spooking isn’t the problem—poor recovery is. Gabi shares her relationship-based approach to starting young horses, including how she uses clarity, timing, and emotional fitness instead of force, how to avoid getting stuck chasing perfection, and why slowing down often leads to faster progress. If you’re bringing along a young horse, rebuilding trust, or trying to stay calm when things get unpredictable, this conversation will shift how you think about training and leadership. 👉🏼 Follow The Elevated Equestrian on Spotify so you don’t miss future conversations on ethical horsemanship, rider mindset, and building better partnerships with our horses.

    52 min

  5. JAN 5

    The Racehorse Trainer Who’s Rewriting the Rules - Jessica Howell

    In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha sits down with Jessica Howell — a licensed Thoroughbred trainer who is quietly rewriting the rules of racehorse development from the inside out. Jessica didn’t come up through the traditional racing pipeline. She came from eventing, classical dressage, and a background in producing sound, educated horses. And when she stepped into the racetrack world, she brought all of that with her — heart-rate-based conditioning, periodized programming, biomechanics, turnout, mental health days, and a level of horsemanship most people don’t associate with racing. Together, we dive into how racehorses are actually trained, why so many break down, and what a more thoughtful, horse-centric approach could look like. Jessica explains the structure of racehorse conditioning, the hidden costs of claiming races, the difference between American and European systems, and how classical principles can transform a horse coming off (or preparing for) the track. This conversation challenges assumptions, opens doors into a closed world, and paints a picture of what’s possible when responsibility, science, and real horsemanship drive the training process — even in a high-speed, high-pressure sport. If you care about soundness, welfare, and the future of the Thoroughbred, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 👉 If you enjoy this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves horses. It helps the podcast reach more riders who care about doing things better.

    45 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    The Mental Game of Elite Eventing — Felix Vogg

    In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Swiss Olympian and 5★ rider Felix Vogg joins me for a genuinely honest conversation about what it takes to stay competitive in one of the toughest sports in the world. We dig into the mental side of elite eventing—how he processes setbacks, why he doesn’t let failure freeze him, and what actually went through his mind after a heartbreaking fall at Badminton. Felix opens up about how he rebuilt, how he kept believing in his horses, and how that approach ultimately led to major wins at Maryland and Petroni later in the season. We talk about the years-long foundation behind a top event horse, why he rarely buys anything older than seven, and how individualized fitness and slow, patient development shape the longevity of a career. Felix shares why downsizing his string was one of the smartest decisions he’s made, how still grooming and handling his horses himself deepens their trust, and why understanding a horse on the ground matters just as much as riding them well. He also speaks candidly about the realities of running a high-performance program without endless owners or resources, and how that has shaped both his horsemanship and his mindset. If you’re interested in 5★ eventing, long-term horse development, the psychology of elite athletes, or what it truly takes behind the scenes to produce and maintain top horses, this conversation gives a rare, grounded look at all of it. It’s thoughtful, detailed, and full of insight for anyone who wants to build a stronger partnership or push their own riding forward. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and help us keep growing The Elevated Equestrian—it means more than you know.

    33 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    Coming Back to Horses with Purpose - Jaclyn Burke

    In this episode, Samantha sits down with rider, trainer, and tech sales professional Jacqueline Burke of Hablyn Hills Equestrian to unpack what it actually looks like to build a sustainable equestrian life without losing the love for the sport. Jacqueline shares how she went from broke working student with an FEI horse that couldn’t stay sound, to a successful career in tech sales and owning a 25-acre farm with 16 horses and a thriving training program. They dive into the surprising overlap between selling horses and selling software, the reality of stepping away from competition to get financially stable, why teaching became a core pillar of her business, and how she juggles remote work, a barn, staff, students, Florida/Aiken trips, and motherhood—with intention instead of burnout. If you’re trying to figure out how to afford your horse goals without living in constant survival mode, this one’s for you. 👉 If you enjoy this episode, please follow, rate, and share The Elevated Equestrian—it helps more riders find these conversations.

    43 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Trying Again in a Different Arena - Madison Solosi

    This week, I sit down with trainer and former upper-level event rider Madison Solosi for a refreshingly honest look at what it really takes to reinvent yourself in this sport. Madison grew up homeschooled on a Michigan farm her parents built from scratch, went to Scotland to train with the legendary Ian Stark instead of college, competed through Intermediate, and eventually made the move to Virginia to build a business in a place with a deeper horse community. We talk about the mental and physical shift from eventing to show jumping, the culture shock of entering a new discipline, learning to be “the new kid” again, finding community in the jumper world, managing a 15-stall training program, and figuring out how to stay competitive while raising a family and rehabbing from a major injury. It’s a conversation about identity, ambition, resilience, and what it looks like to start over when the sport you love demands something different from you. If you’re listening along, tap follow and keep sharing the show—this whole thing grows because of you.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Elevated Equestrian is where horse people come to think deeper about riding, training, and connection. Hosted by professional event rider Samantha Baer, the podcast dives into biomechanics, horse welfare, mindset, and the realities of modern equestrian sport. Each week brings honest conversations with riders, trainers, and innovators who are changing how we work with horses. If you want to ride better, think differently, and put your horse first, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Baer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Samantha Baer
  • Show Website
    The Elevated Equestrian

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