In Stride

• Ali Brock: The Heart of Horse-and-Rider Connection

  This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. This episode is also sponsored by Purdue University’s Online Certificate in Equitation Science. Rethink tradition and train with purpose as you explore the science behind how horses think, move, and learn. Register now at https://purdue.biz/EquitationScience! In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by US Olympic dressage rider Ali Brock. Ali Brock is a U.S. Olympic dressage rider and trainer known for her dedication to the sport and to the horses and riders she supports. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, she left the islands at 17 to pursue a dressage career and went on to work under top professionals, including Olympian Sue Blinks. In 2004, she became head trainer at Deer Meadow Farm with the support of Fritz and Claudine Kundrun, and later spent time training in Europe with Jan Brink, Kyra Kyrklund, and Richard White. Ali earned international recognition riding Rosevelt, a 2002 Hanoverian stallion, as part of the U.S. team that won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics—the first Olympic dressage medal for the U.S. in 12 years. She actively supports youth programs like Dressage4Kids and has served as the Equestrian Representative for the Athletes Advisory Council. Now based in Wellington, Florida, she continues to train horses and riders at the highest levels and to mentor the next generation of Grand Prix trainers. In this episode, Ali shares her philosophy on training and how it supports a strong, lasting partnership between horse and rider, including: • How a horse’s emotional state influences her training approach and why recognizing that is essential. • The importance she places on the rider-horse relationship and the early mentors who shaped that perspective. • What commonly used dressage terms like “thoroughness” and “harmony” really mean in practice. • Why rules and regulations in horse sport should be based on evidence and context—not just snapshots or headlines. Join Ali and Sinead for an honest and thoughtful conversation about the future of the sport and how riders can prioritize partnership in their daily training.

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• Michael Nolan: Trusting Yourself

  This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 4* event rider Michael Nolan. Michael Nolan is a skilled Irish event rider with a diverse background in fox hunting, racehorses, show jumping, and eventing. He rode for top Irish yards including Cooley Farms, Kedrah House Stud, and Tomgar Sport Horses before moving to the U.S. to further his career. He spent seven years working with 4* rider and ICP instructor Robin Walker, developing horses through the advanced level. Michael’s recent results include top finishes at the 2023 Morven Park and Plantation Field CCI3*-S with Carrabeg Hulla Balou. He now runs Nolan Sporthorses, a training and coaching business, with his wife Mckenna Knott. They are based in Florida during the winter and Michigan in the summer. In this episode, Michael shares an inside look at the realities of the industry, including: • How he got his start with horses in Ireland and eventually found his way to eventing. • His approach to starting young horses and why he believes professionals should develop their own. • The differences in horse culture between the U.S. and Ireland. • The importance of trusting your feel in the saddle and teaching students to do the same. Join Michael and Sinead for an honest and insightful conversation about building a career in eventing, from breaking young horses to trusting your instincts in the saddle.

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• Sally Cousins: Building a Lasting Career in Eventing

  This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international 5* event rider Sally Cousins. Sally Cousins is an accomplished FEI 5* international event rider and was the USEA Leading Lady Rider for six consecutive years (2008–2013). She began riding as a young child after her family purchased a farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania, and quickly found her passion through Pony Club and the sport of eventing. By her mid-teens, Sally had completed her first one-star three-day event, and at just 20 years old, she traveled to England to compete at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials. She remained in the UK that year and went on to complete the Burghley Horse Trials later that season. In addition to her riding career, Sally spent 16 years working as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before deciding to turn professional and commit fully to eventing. Today, she operates Sally Cousins Eventing, training horses and riders out of her bases in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. In this episode, Sally reflects on the choices and philosophies that have shaped her decades-long career in eventing, including: • How being strategic about which events she entered helped her horses stay sound and competitive for longer. • Why she’s never hesitated to withdraw a horse at the last minute if they weren’t ready, prioritizing their well-being over competition goals. • What led her to leave a successful 16-year career as a stockbroker to pursue horses full-time. • The importance of building a trusting relationship with each horse and following her gut when deciding whether to push forward or hold back. Join Sally and Sinead in this thoughtful conversation about longevity, horsemanship, and the mindset behind a sustainable career in the sport.

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• Michael Pollard: The Rider Who Stepped Back to Move Forward

  This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by international event rider Michael Pollard. Michael Pollard is a former international event rider and Pan American Games gold medalist. He rose quickly through the ranks, earning the Markham Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at just 18 and being named the U.S. Eventing Association’s Young Rider of the Year in 2001. He went on to represent the United States at top international competitions including Luhmühlen, Burghley, and Rolex Kentucky. Throughout his riding career, Michael also ran a successful business outside of the horse world, which helped support his ambitions in the sport. In 2016, he made the decision to step away from competition to focus on his companies and to spend more time with his family. In recent years, Michael has returned to the sport as both a rider and coach, bringing with him a fresh perspective shaped by his time away and his experience across multiple arenas. In this episode, Michael shares insights from his journey in the sport, including: • His decision to step away from eventing despite being at the top of his game. • How he views commitment, sacrifice, and where horses fit into his list of priorities. • The role his business ventures and financial strategy played in supporting his riding career. • What it looks like to balance family life with ambitious career goals. Join Michael and Sinead in this exciting conversation about his unique perspective on life in and out of the saddle. Book recommendations: • 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life By Bill Eddy

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• Warwick Schiller: Putting the Relationship Before the Training

  This episode of In Stride is presented by The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert and Flatiron Books. You can find The Eventing Series books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Follow Natalie Keller Reinert on Instagram at @NatalieKReinert. In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by world-class horsemanship trainer Warwick Schiller. Warwick Schiller is a lifelong horseman, international reiner, and host of The Journey On Podcast. Originally from Australia, he moved to the U.S. to pursue his passion for training horses, eventually becoming an NRHA Reserve World Champion and representing Australia at the 2010 and 2018 World Equestrian Games. Known for his clear and compassionate teaching style, he has coached riders to top titles including NRHA World Champion and Rookie of the Year. Warwick is the author of The Principles of Training and runs Warwick Schiller Performance Horsemanship in California with his wife Robyn and son Tyler, focusing on relationship-first horsemanship. In this episode, Warwick discusses topics related to his training philosophy, including: • Why putting the relationship with the horse and the horse’s sense of safety should come before all else. • How personal growth and self-awareness can deepen your connection with your horses and improve your effectiveness as a trainer. • The importance of setting horses up for success at every stage, rather than skipping over issues or rushing the process. • Small, intentional changes that can create a big difference in the training space. Join Warwick and Sinead in this exciting conversation on the importance of prioritizing the relationship with the horse. Book recommendations: • Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel by Carl Safina • Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts • Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World―A Memoir of Nature's Healing Power by Craig Foster • The Principles of Training: Understanding The Relationship Between You and Your Horse, and Why Effective Training Works by Warwick Schiller • 10% Happier by Dan Harris

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