For many horse lovers, becoming a professional rider is the dream, but it's far from the only way to build a fulfilling career in eventing. In this episode of the USEA Official Podcast, host Nicole Brown is joined by organizer and licensed official Emily Holmes, championship groom, organizer, and former USEA President Max Corcoran, and Eventing Nation co-publisher Sally Spickard to discuss the many careers that help keep the sport running.

Together, they share the winding paths that led them to where they are today, the lessons they've learned along the way, and the advice they would give to anyone hoping to turn their passion for horses into a profession. From media and event management to officiating and grooming, this episode is a reminder that there's more than one way to make your mark in the sport of eventing.

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Forget the selectors. We've picked the teams.

Nicole is joined by Sam Watson, Annie Bishop and Spike the Vet to take on one of the toughest jobs in eventing, selecting the combinations they'd send to Aachen. There are easy picks. Then there are the horses keeping everyone awake at night.

Who has done enough this season? Does five-star form still carry the most weight? Which riders are impossible to leave at home? And which nation has the strongest hand heading into the World Championships?

Expect plenty of debate, a few disagreements and some very difficult decisions as the panel works through the leading contenders from Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

Then, with the teams almost settled, everyone puts their reputation on the line with their first World Championship medal predictions.

Highlights:

• Our World Championship teams
• The biggest selection dilemmas
• Five-star form versus four-star results
• Who's in, who's out and who's on the bubble
• Which nation has the strongest squad
• Early medal predictions

Guests:

• Sam Watson – EquiRatings Co-Founder
• Annie Bishop – Co-host of the US Equestrian Open Podcast
• Spike the Vet – Equine veterinarian and regular Eventing Podcast panellist

From sourcing young horses to producing future five-star talent, Andrew Williams and John Tilley have helped shape the careers of some of the sport's biggest names, including Tim Price's Jarillo, Georgie Goss' Kojak, Ballycoog Breaker Boy and more.

In this Red Mills Special, Nicole sits down with the pair to discuss what they look for in a young horse, how they produce horses for the top of the sport, balancing a successful sales business with competition ambitions and why patience is at the heart of every good production system. They also share the story behind their move to Ireland, John's rapid rise through the levels and the young horse they're most excited about for the future.

• How they identify future five-star horses
• Producing young horses for long-term success
• Building one of Ireland's leading production yards
• Balancing horse sales with competition goals
• John's journey from amateur rider to four-star event rider
• The six-year-old they believe could be their next star

Andrew Williams – One of Ireland's leading young horse producers, renowned for sourcing and developing future international event horses.

John Tilley – Four-star event rider and young horse producer, bringing through the next generation of event horses from their base in Ireland.

Sponsors:

Connolly's Red Mills are offering 15% off Foran Equine products to Eventing Podcast listeners! Use the code EquiRatingsPodcast15 to receive your discount. View the full collection here.

Note this does not apply to the already discounted Pre-Fuel & Refuel combo packs.

If you have any other questions regarding feeding click here to ask the Connolly's RED MILLS experts.

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Luhmühlen delivered one of the biggest results of the season so far and with championship selection getting closer, Nicole and Ali have plenty to unpack.

This week they look back on Caroline Harris and D. Day becoming two-time five-star winners, why that performance could matter far beyond one result and which combinations helped themselves as team announcements edge closer.

There's also discussion around Emily King's strong weekend, Boyd Martin continuing to collect results, standout performances from Hallie Coon and Julia Krajewski and a look at who might just be peaking at the right time.

Plus, Ali's Eventing Manager predictions finally come good and she's taking her moment.

Highlights:
• Caroline Harris and D. Day win Luhmühlen five-star
• What the result means for championship selection
• Boyd Martin's podium finish and ranking implications
• Hallie Coon's impressive performance
• Julia Krajewski and Nickel take the four-star short
• Early Aachen team conversations

Guests:
Ali Barrett – EquiRatings AI & Sports Media Analyst, working across automation, performance analysis and storytelling to turn equestrian data into insights for fans and the sport.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:

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👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing

There are some stories that stay with the sport forever.

This week, Nicole shines a light on Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony charity as it celebrates 10 years of making an extraordinary impact. At Badminton, Nicole catches up with Hannah's mum Rachel Francis and trustee Miles Toulson-Clarke to reflect on Hannah's story, the community that rallied around her and the legacy that continues to grow today.

Following Hannah's osteosarcoma diagnosis at just 17, Willberry became far more than a mascot. What began as one young rider sharing her journey has gone on to fund vital research, grant life-changing wishes and support families facing impossible circumstances.

This is a conversation about horses, determination, community and the difference one person can make.

Highlights
• The story behind Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony
• How one rider inspired a global community
• 10 years of wishes, fundraising and impact
• Progress in osteosarcoma research
• The eventing community's role in Hannah's legacy
• Why Willberry continues to mean so much
• What it means to "Be More Hannah"

Guests
Rachel Francis
Miles Toulson-Clarke

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:

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One withdrawal and suddenly the whole conversation looks different.

This week Nicole, Annie and Ali preview Luhmühlen, build their Eventing Manager teams and try to work out where the value now sits in a five-star that suddenly feels much more open.

There's debate over strategy, discussion around combinations arriving with form at the right time, and plenty of disagreement over where to spend the budget.

Plus, attention turns to a seriously competitive German National Championship class, Aachen implications start creeping into the conversation, and there are a few predictions that may age brilliantly… or not at all.

Highlights
• Eventing Manager strategy at Luhmühlen
• Who benefits from Izilot DHI's withdrawal
• Caroline Harris and D.Day's case
• Five-star podium predictions
• German National Championship contenders
• Four-star combinations to watch
• Eyes turning towards Aachen

Guests
Annie Bishop
Ali Barrett

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing

Bramham feels like one of those moments in the season where things stop being hypothetical.

Nicole and Spike look back on a weekend that answered some questions, created a few more, and left plenty of combinations heading into the second half of the year with momentum.

There's reaction to Bubby Upton and It's Cooley Time defending their title after a difficult few months, a brilliant result for Selina Milnes, and discussion around the horses that left Yorkshire feeling like they belong in bigger conversations.

Plus, Tom McEwen and JL Dublin edge the four-star short, the under-25 picture starts to take shape, and there's plenty of reflection on why Bramham still holds such an important place in the calendar.

Highlights

• Bubby Upton and It's Cooley Time bounce back
• Selina Milnes' big result
• Four-star short reaction
• Under-25 combinations impress
• Which horses changed the conversation
• Why Bramham still matters
• Eyes already turning towards Luhmühlen

Guests

• Nicole Brown
• Spike Milligan

This show is kindly supported by Bedmax, purpose-made natural horse bedding designed to protect respiratory health, support hooves, and provide a clean, comfortable stable environment.

He's had the highs. He's had the heartbreak. Now comes the next chapter.

Josh Levett joins Nicole to reflect on a season of near-misses, breakthrough moments, and why sometimes the weeks that almost happen stay with you longest. From a first top-level campaign, to Young Rider highs and lows, to preparing to step out on his own and build a business, Josh shares what life looks like behind the results sheet.

There's talk of family, pressure, owners, sponsors, and the reality of growing up in one of eventing's most established households while finding your own way. Plus, the lessons picked up from time with Piggy March, Clayton Fredericks, and why stepping away from home for a few months changed his perspective on the sport entirely.

With Bramham ahead, one final Young Rider season, and bigger ambitions beginning to take shape, this feels like a rider right at the start of something.

Highlights

• Why the "almost" results can stay with you more than the disasters
• Growing up in a horse family, and why eventing wasn't always the plan
• Young Rider highs, setbacks, and unfinished business
• Building a business, moving out, and setting up independently
• Lessons learned from Piggy March and Clayton Fredericks
• Four-star reality checks and stepping up the levels
• GB or Australia? Josh talks future team ambitions
• The surprising thing he does before leaving the start box

Guest

• Josh Levett

This episode is also brought to you by Littlemax Bedding.

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