Horse Show Bestie

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

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a training program, this episode is for you. Crysta sits down with Brian Henry to tackle some of the biggest trainer vs amateur debates from the trainer’s perspective.
They get honest about client expectations, horse show disappointment, communication issues, green horses and riders, maintenance, show spending, and the emotional realities of horse ownership. Brian also shares what life actually looks like as a professional trainer, and why so many problems in the horse world start with expectations that were never properly discussed.
It’s funny, practical, slightly uncomfortable at times, and very much one of those “horse people will understand” conversations.

Support us by supporting our sponsor!
NAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/

Okay bestie… this one’s a little different.
For the first time ever, it’s just Crysta. No co-host, no back-and-forth. And it's just a hair all over the place. But sometimes we have to show up for our bestie when he gets busy at work!
This episode is part life update, part info dump on all of Crysta’s current hyper-fixations… and all of it is very on brand.
She gets into the real side of building a career in the horse industry right now, including:
Why some business models work and others don’t
Her favorite training lessons
Rider biomechanics and the small habits that are quietly affecting your results
Why adaptability matters if you want to stay in the game
There’s a clear thread through all of it: growth. Sometimes we have to rethink things, take responsibility, and adjust even when it’s inconvenient.
It feels like a late-night, post-show conversation. Honest, a little unfiltered, and grounded in real experience.
Things might look a little different this week, and that’s the point. Besties show up in every season.
We’ll be back together soon. For now, you’ve got Crysta.

Support Horse Show Bestie by supporting our sponsor:
NAC Equine: https://www.nac-equine-services.com/

Links from episode discussion:
Crysta Brown Horsemanship: www.CBhorsemanship.com
Centered Riding by Sally Swift: https://www.amazon.com/shop/crystadbrown/list/CVP9BIZ51OBF?ref_=aipsflist

Your Horse Show Besties are back in your ear, catching you up like you missed a few group chats.
Scott’s on the mend and ready to get back into the saddle, so we get into what that actually looks like... the weird in-between phase, the mental side of coming back, and how much patience it really takes.
We also went down a few rabbit holes you’ll probably have opinions on. Things like not picking fights you can't win, what’s actually fair when it comes to day fees at shows, and the ongoing amateur vs. pro conversation that never seems to go away.
There’s a lot in here about speaking with authority when you're new to the sport. That rolls right into a bigger conversation about how we treat each other in the industry, both in person and online.
We also talk through the less polished stuff. Rumors about horse abuse without evidence, what to do when you do see real abuse. Plus some real-life chat about handling young horses, and how to balance young horse's classes as a way to support breeders vs allowing individual horses to be who they are.
Crysta and Scott may be officially Negative Nancie's and totally deserving of cancellation but either way you know you want to watch the downfall.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, support the people who support it.
Check out NAC Equine Services for help with buying or selling your next horse:
https://www.nac-equine-services.com/