Horse Show Bestie

This week we're catching up with horse trainer and content creator Kyra Ley to talk about everything from building a business in rural Montana to navigating social media, client relationships, and the realities of making a living in the horse industry.

We dive into what it's really like being a young trainer, how platforms like TikTok have completely changed the way trainers attract clients, and why online education and virtual lessons are becoming an important part of a sustainable business.

The conversation also takes a closer look at the horse show world. We share ideas for making local shows more affordable and welcoming, discuss why community matters just as much as the major events, and talk about the changes we'd love to see across the industry.

Of course, we couldn't resist getting into the trainer-client relationship. From setting expectations and building trust to handling payments, communication, and the occasional online critic, Kyra shares honest insights from both the business and horse training sides of the fence.
If you've ever wondered what goes into building a successful training program, choosing the right trainer, or balancing horses with entrepreneurship, this episode is full of practical advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of Horse Show Bestie conversations along the way.

Follow Kyra:
Instagram: @kyra.ley
Facebook: Kyra Ley
TikTok: @KyraLey295
Website: Ley Performance Horses

Sponsors
NAC Equine Services nac-equine-services.com
Crysta Brown Horsemanship CBhorsemanship.com

This week on Horse Show Bestie, we're joined by Bill Kaven of the National Snaffle Bit Association, whose work spans two of NSBA's most influential areas: the Judges and the NSBA Yearling Sale.

Bill shares an inside look at the NSBA Yearling Sale, how it has grown into one of the industry's premier sales programs, and the opportunities it creates for breeders, buyers, and exhibitors alike. We also discuss NSBA's mission, the role it plays across the horse industry, and how the association continues to expand its reach as an all-breed organization.

The conversation explores NSBA's partnerships, incentive programs, and trophy initiatives, along with the ways the organization supports exhibitors across a wide range of disciplines. We also touch on the hunter-jumper world, warmblood registration, and the increasing crossover between different segments of the equine industry.

As the Director of Judges, Bill offers valuable insight into the judging side of horse showing. We talk about the realities of judging, the challenges officials face, how judges are educated and evaluated, and the hierarchy that helps maintain standards across the industry. The discussion also tackles one of horse showing's most debated topics: subjectivity. From both the judge's and exhibitor's perspectives, Bill shares thoughtful insights into what competitors should understand about the process.

From yearling sales to judging, industry growth to exhibitor education, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the systems and people helping shape the future of horse showing.

Sponsors
Horse Show Bestie is proudly supported by our sponsors.
NAC Equine: www.nac-equine-services.com
Crysta Brown Horsemanship: www.cbhorsemanship.com

Takeaways
NSBA's mission is to grow the horse show community through collaboration and support.
The NSBA Trophy Program is a unique and iconic aspect of the horse show community, representing collaboration and achievement.
NSBA's role as an all breed association allows for warmblood registration and support for unregistered horses. NSBA's diverse programs and initiatives cater to the needs of the horse show community.
The challenges and opportunities in judging highlight the importance of correctness and degree of difficulty in evaluating horse performances.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Horse Show Bestie
06:02 Riding Goals and Ranch Show
12:16 Euro Summit Show Success and Growth
17:39 NSBA's Mission and Purpose
29:37 Challenges and Opportunities in Judging
41:56 Judging Hierarchy and Exhibitor Perspective
56:00 NSBA's Inclusive Programs and Initiatives

This week, Ric Weitzel, CRO of YEDA, joins us to talk all things YEDA and the important role youth programs play in the future of the horse industry.
From catch-riding and lesson horses to scholarships, national championships, and creating opportunities for riders who don't have access to horse ownership, this conversation dives into the many ways YEDA is helping young equestrians find their place in the industry.
We chat about the realities of building lesson programs, the challenges trainers face when trying to grow the next generation of riders, and why creating accessible entry points into horses matters now more than ever. The conversation also explores the financial side of the industry, the rising costs associated with participation, and what it takes to create sustainable programs that can continue serving riders for years to come.
Along the way, we discuss coaching, mentorship, horse-and-rider matching, judging challenges, youth recruitment, and the often-overlooked work happening behind the scenes to keep equestrian opportunities available for young people. We also take a look at YEDA National Championship Week and the experiences, connections, and memories that make it such a special part of the program.
It's a thoughtful conversation about growing the horse industry from the ground up, supporting young riders, and creating more opportunities for horse-crazy kids to become lifelong horse people.

Support our sponsors:
NAC Equine Services www.nac-equine-services.com
Crysta Brown Horsemanship www.CBhorsemanship.com

This week we’re catching up on life updates and welcoming Scott back to the podcast before diving headfirst into designing the ultimate adult horse camp. We talk about transitioning horses, the social side of horse shows, and why horse people are all secretly craving more community, connection, and camaraderie in the industry.

From choosing venues and clinicians to balancing educational sessions with fun, low-pressure activities, we’re basically building our dream horse girl summer camp in real time. Expect conversations about team-building, non-horsey activities, late-night hangs, and what it takes to create an experience that feels equal parts educational, social, and genuinely fun.

If you’ve ever wished horse showing felt a little less isolating and a little more collaborative, this episode is for you.

Support our sponsors!
NAC Equine: www.nac-equine-services.com

Kirstie Marie Jones of Kirstie Marie Photography joins us for a conversation that goes way beyond just taking pretty horse photos. From practical photography tips to building a business in multiple disciplines, this episode is packed with insight for horse girls, photographers, and anyone trying to carve out a lane in the industry.
We talk about the little things that make a huge difference in photos, like preparing your horse before a shoot, paying attention to light sources, and yes, even cleaning your camera lens. Kirstie also breaks down concepts like the rule of thirds in a way that actually makes sense and explains how thoughtful details can completely change the outcome of an image.
The conversation also dives into the evolution of KMP Learn and how education became such a major part of her business. Kirstie shares her background riding across different disciplines, the challenges that come with marketing yourself to multiple audiences, and why versatility has become one of her biggest strengths both behind the camera and in the saddle.
This episode is really about keeping a wide perspective in the horse industry. Learning from different trainers, stepping outside one discipline, and being intentional about growth can open more doors than most people realize.

Links!
NAC Equine: nac-equine-services.com
KMP learn: kmplearn.com
Crysta Brown Horsemanship: CBhorsemanship.com