Life at LIBERTY

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Episode Summary

There’s a moment in every horse person’s life where you realize this isn’t just about horses anymore. It’s about who you become because of them.

In this special Ladies of Liberty panel from Liberty Festival 2025, Elizabeth James brings together a group of women who have built their lives around horses, each from a different path, discipline, and background. Featuring Amber Marshall, Jessica Blair Fowlkes, Caitie Holtzman, and Allison Whisler, this conversation moves beyond training techniques and into something deeper: identity, failure, pressure, and the reality of building a life with horses.

This isn’t polished. It’s honest, funny, and at times uncomfortable, in the best way. From navigating burnout and postpartum depression to performing under pressure and redefining success, this episode explores what Liberty really offers: not control, but choice. And through that, a mirror. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “good enough,” whether you belong here, or what’s actually possible with your horse, this conversation will meet you right there.



Highlights:

A behind-the-scenes look at the Ladies of Liberty panel at Liberty Festival 2025

What draws women to Liberty and why connection sits at the center of it

How Liberty gives both horse and human the freedom to choose

The reality of failure, pressure, and performing with horses

What horses reveal about your identity, confidence, and emotional state

The tension between passion and profession in the horse world

Honest conversations around mental health, burnout, and growth

Why Liberty brings together disciplines, backgrounds, and people

A powerful reminder that you are often the only thing standing in your own way



Key Moments:

00:00:00 Opening and introduction to the Ladies of Liberty panel
00:05:00 What horses mean to each guest
00:11:15 Why Liberty? Connection, creativity, and choice
00:20:06 What horses teach you about yourself
00:27:30 Performing at Liberty: what happens when it goes wrong
00:35:00 When passion becomes a profession
00:47:00 Identity, confidence, and finding your place in the horse world
00:52:22 Failure, excuses, and what’s really holding you back
00:56:30 Final reflections and advice to the audience



Summaries:

00:00:00 Opening and introduction to the Ladies of Liberty panel
Elizabeth James introduces a diverse panel of women in Liberty, setting the tone for a conversation centered on connection, experience, and the unique role women play in the Liberty space.

00:05:00 What horses mean to each guest
The panel shares personal reflections on what horses represent in their lives, from grounding and emotional stability to opportunities, relationships, and identity.

00:11:15 Why Liberty? Connection, creativity, and choice
The conversation shifts into Liberty itself, why it resonates so deeply, especially through its emphasis on freedom, creativity, and allowing the horse to choose to stay.

00:20:06 What horses teach you about yourself
Each guest reflects on the personal lessons horses have taught them, from patience and emotional awareness to confidence, self-doubt, and growth through discomfort.

00:27:30 Performing at Liberty: what happens when it goes wrong
A candid and often humorous look at performing with horses, what to do when things fall apart, how to recover in the moment, and why authenticity matters more than perfection.

00:35:00 When passion becomes a profession
The panel explores the shift from loving horses to making a living with them, including the pressure, burnout, and the importance of maintaining enjoyment in the process.

00:47:00 Identity, confidence, and finding your place in the horse world
Elizabeth shares her personal journey as the “horse crazy girl,” navigating identity, comparison, and what it means to belong in a space filled with professionals and performers.

00:52:22 Failure, excuses, and what’s really holding you back
Amber Marshall delivers a defining message of the episode: failure is necessary for growth, and often the biggest obstacle is the one we place in our own way.

00:56:30 Final reflections and advice to the audience
The panel closes with direct advice—stop making excuses, embrace failure, stay curious, and step outside your comfort zone if you want to grow in Liberty and beyond.

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In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Cinelle Claassens sits down with Dr. Elizabeth James, founder of the International Liberty Horse Association (ILHA), for a milestone conversation about where the association is headed next. Elizabeth announces Cinelle as the new official host of the podcast and shares the heart behind the transition. Together, they unpack why the ILHA established its first Board of Directors, what the process looked like behind the scenes, and how members played a direct role through nominations and voting. Elizabeth explains the balance between elected and appointed seats, the intention to avoid “popularity politics,” and what this shift means for the future of the ILHA and Liberty as a legitimate discipline. The episode closes with an invitation for members to stay engaged, share what they want to hear next, and step into a greater sense of ownership within the community.



Highlights:

Elizabeth James announces Cinelle as the new official host of Life at Liberty

Why the ILHA established its first-ever Board of Directors

The behind-the-scenes research that went into building the board structure

How nominations and member voting actually worked

Why the ILHA avoided popularity politics and donor-driven seats

What this transition means for ILHA members and the future of Liberty

Elizabeth reflects on leadership, sustainability, and letting go

A teaser for upcoming projects and future podcast conversations



Key Moments:

00:00:26 Opening context: why this episode matters
00:02:10 Elizabeth’s announcement: Cinelle named new host
00:06:30 Why Life at Liberty needed its own voice
00:09:45 The origin of the ILHA and the long-term vision
00:13:40 Sustainability, leadership responsibility, and “what happens if I’m gone?”
00:18:20 The research phase: boards, term limits, and hard lessons learned
00:24:50 Why donor seats and popularity contests were intentionally avoided
00:31:10 How nominations and voting worked for board seats
00:37:40 Transparency, protecting feelings, and member trust
00:41:55 What excites Elizabeth most about the new board
00:45:30 What this milestone changes for members
00:49:10 Liberty as a legitimate discipline, why this matters beyond ILHA
00:54:20 Early board meetings and what’s already in motion
00:57:40 Clubs reopening and community growth
01:00:15 Elizabeth’s personal reflections and what’s next
01:02:00 Closing reflections on ownership, belonging, and the future



Summaries:

00:00:26 Opening context: why this episode matters
Cinelle sets the tone for a milestone episode, explaining that this moment has been years in the making and quietly shapes where the ILHA is headed next.

00:02:10 Elizabeth’s announcement: Cinelle named new host
Elizabeth announces Cinelle as the new official host of Life at Liberty, sharing why the podcast needed a dedicated voice and how this transition reflects the original vision of telling the community’s stories.

00:06:30 Why Life at Liberty needed its own voice
Elizabeth reflects on the evolution of the podcast and why separating the association from the storytelling side was always part of the plan.

00:09:45 The origin of the ILHA and the long-term vision
Elizabeth revisits why the ILHA was founded in the first place: to legitimize Liberty as a discipline and give people a place to grow, compete, and belong.

00:13:40 Sustainability, leadership responsibility, and hard questions
A candid discussion about sustainability, leadership pressure, and the realization that the association couldn’t rely on one person long-term.

00:18:20 The research phase: how the board structure was built
Elizabeth explains the eight-month research process, including calls to other associations and the challenges of finding real answers about governance.

00:24:50 Avoiding popularity politics and donor-driven boards
Elizabeth shares what she learned about boards that don’t work—and why the ILHA intentionally chose a different path.

00:31:10 How nominations and voting actually worked
A clear breakdown of how members nominated candidates, how voting was structured, and why each member received two votes.

00:37:40 Transparency, fairness, and protecting community trust
Elizabeth talks about the balance between transparency and care, and why protecting members’ dignity mattered throughout the process.

00:41:55 What excites Elizabeth about the board
With the board now in place, Elizabeth reflects on new energy, fresh perspectives, and the excitement of stepping back and watching others lead.

00:45:30 What this milestone changes for members
The conversation shifts to what members gain: influence, ownership, and a stronger voice in the association’s future.

00:49:10 Liberty as a legitimate discipline
Elizabeth explains how this milestone further establishes Liberty as a real, respected discipline governed by its community.

00:54:20 Early board meetings and next steps
Cinelle and Elizabeth discuss early board meetings, current priorities, and how members will start seeing changes roll out.

00:57:40 Clubs reopening and community growth
An update on clubs reopening, new communities forming, and why local connection remains at the heart of the ILHA.

01:00:15 Personal reflection and what’s next
Elizabeth shares what this transition means for her personally and teases future creative projects and podcast conversations.

01:02:00 Closing reflections on ownership and belonging
The episode closes with a reminder that the ILHA exists to celebrate members at every stage of their Liberty journey, and that this milestone belongs to the whole community.

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In this live episode of Life at Liberty during the 2025 Liberty Festival, Dan Steers and Tik Maynard gets into conversations that somehow manages to be equal parts actual horsemanship and absolute chaos (in the best way). Between dad jokes, Aussie/Canadian banter, and a legendary story about Dan James, they dig into what it really looks like to invest in your own learning, whether that’s training chickens to understand reinforcement, preparing for Road to the Horse, or simply figuring out how to be a better student without letting ego run the show. It’s funny, honest, and unexpectedly practical.

Highlights:

The live Liberty Festival vibe: banter, audience energy, and “we might not be the best, but we’re the funnest”

Tik’s path through Pony Club, mounted games, and how it shaped his horsemanship foundation

What Tik learned preparing for (and winning) Road to the Horse - twice

The “Chicken Training Camp” story… and why it actually matters for training horses

A real discussion on investing in yourself, avoiding burnout, and staying inspired

What makes a good student—and how to choose clinics that actually help you grow

Key Moments:

00:00:36 The unicorn joke opener and immediate chaos
00:04:32 Dan James running late + the Pony Club origin story
00:12:44 Tik’s background: Pony Club, mounted games, and early competition
00:17:56 Road to the Horse: what actually changed for Tik
00:18:55 Chicken Training Camp + rate of reinforcement explained
00:28:34 The real cost of investing in yourself (time, money, family)
00:32:11 Confidence, criticism, and following the “inner flame”
00:40:10 What’s next for Tik: family, Greece, eventing goals, and writing
00:44:50 Why great horsemen still take lessons + collaboration culture shift
00:47:05 What makes a good student (homework, trust, and setting yourself up well)
00:55:43 “Dotcom” story: the original catfish incident and how it shaped Dan James’ path
01:04:38 Wrap-up + Liberty Festival gratitude

Summaries:

00:00:36 The unicorn joke opener and immediate chaos
Tik Maynard opens with a joke and the tone is set instantly: this episode is going to be fun, unfiltered, and very live. The banter establishes the dynamic between Dan and Tik right away.

00:04:32 Dan James running late + the Pony Club origin story
Dan Steers roasts Dan James for being late (as tradition demands), then launches into stories about Dan’s early horse days and how “Dan James time” became a very real thing.

00:12:44 Tik’s background: Pony Club, mounted games, and early competition
Tik shares his upbringing in Vancouver’s horse scene, where arena work was the norm. He explains how Pony Club and mounted games shaped his foundations, focus, and sense of purpose with horses.

00:17:56 Road to the Horse: what actually changed for Tik
Tik breaks down what winning Road to the Horse did and didn’t change. Biggest impact: how much he learned during preparation and the increase in clinic requests, more than a total business shift.

00:18:55 Chicken Training Camp + rate of reinforcement explained
Yes, it’s real. Tik explains how training chickens taught him learning theory fundamentals, especially rate of reinforcement, and how that translates directly into pressure/release timing with horses.

00:28:34 The real cost of investing in yourself (time, money, family)
They get serious about what it takes to commit to big goals when you’ve got a family, bills, and a business. Tik shares the conversation with his wife and why long-term growth still mattered.

00:32:11 Confidence, criticism, and following the “inner flame”
Tik talks about competition pressure, mistakes in front of an audience, and choosing to keep going anyway. Key message: protect that internal drive and don’t let social media critics steer your path.

00:40:10 What’s next for Tik: family, Greece, eventing goals, and writing
Tik lays out what he’s working toward, time with his kids, a long-awaited vacation, building an event horse, using Tomcat as a “learning horse,” and writing his next book (including more liberty).

00:44:50 Why great horsemen still take lessons + collaboration culture shift
They talk about how modern horsemanship has become more collaborative and why the best trainers keep learning. Tik shares his weekly lesson routine and how being coached keeps him sharp and inspired.

00:47:05 What makes a good student (homework, trust, and setting yourself up well)
Tik gives a practical blueprint: do your homework before you sign up, commit fully once you’re there, and choose clinicians based on what you/your horse need right now, not ego or hype.

00:55:43 “Dotcom” story: the original catfish incident
Dan Steers tells the legendary story behind Dan James’ nickname “Dotcom”, an early-internet catfish situation that somehow leads to Dan learning from top horse people in Texas. Wild, funny, and oddly meaningful.

01:04:38 Wrap-up + Liberty Festival gratitude
They close by circling back to the Liberty Festival community, why humor belongs in education, and how the weekend re-inspired Tik. Dan Steers signs off in classic Double Dan style: fun first, ego last.



If you listen to Life at Liberty, we need your help. We've put together a short survey. It’s for listeners only. Click this link to complete is under 3 minutes: Life at Liberty Podcast Survey

If you listen to Life at Liberty, we need your help. We've put together a short survey. It’s for listeners only. Click this link to complete is under 3 minutes: Life at Liberty Podcast Survey



In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Cinelle Claassens interviews Candice Snow, a champion freestyle performer. Candice shares her inspiring journey back to horses after nearly 40 years away, her experiences with Liberty training, and her preparations for the upcoming Invitational Freestyle. The conversation highlights the deep connection between horse and trainer, the challenges faced in training, and the joy of competing in freestyle events. Candice emphasizes that it's never too late to start competing and encourages listeners to build a connection with their horses through Liberty work.



Highlights:

How Candace returned to horses after nearly 40 years away

Building her Liberty journey through volunteering, Mustangs, and a growing herd

The story behind her championship-winning freestyle performance

Preparing for the 2025 Invitational Freestyle with new challenges and creative twists

Why she believes it’s never too late to start Liberty

Practical advice for listeners to begin building connection with their horses

Key Moments:

00:02:05 Life in Texas, balancing grandma duties and horses

00:02:49 Building a freestyle cart and the thrill of winning the championship

00:04:47 Returning to horses after decades away

00:07:36 First time witnessing Liberty with Dan James in 2012

00:09:40 From auditing clinics to champion: years of persistence

00:12:41 Finding joy in practice and connection with her horses

00:13:57 Challenges of training her insecure mare to stand independently

00:15:14 Her message: it’s never too late to begin Liberty

00:16:09 Practical first steps for Liberty beginners

00:19:55 Sneak peek: 1960s theme and surprises for the Invitational Freestyle

Summaries:

00:02:05 Life in Texas, balancing grandma duties and horses. Candace shares her daily life split between watching her granddaughter three days a week and devoting the rest of her time to horses.

00:02:49 Building a freestyle cart and the thrill of winning the championship. She recalls constructing her unique cart for her horse to push, describing the pride of seeing it all work in the arena and the joy of last year’s championship win.

00:04:47 Returning to horses after decades away. Candace reflects on volunteering with therapeutic horsemanship after her children were grown, which reignited her love for horses and led her back into ownership and Liberty training.

00:07:36 First time witnessing Liberty with Dan James in 2012. She describes the awe of watching horses stand freely in the arena, realizing years later that her own horses could do the same—something her late father would have been proud of.

00:09:40 From auditing clinics to champion: years of persistence. Candace explains the long journey of hard work and setbacks that ultimately led her to become a Liberty Festival champion.

00:12:41 Finding joy in practice and connection with her horses. Her favorite moments come when things “just click,” whether riding bareback or playing at Liberty, blurring the line between practice and pure enjoyment.

00:13:57 Challenges of training her insecure mare to stand independently. She discusses her biggest training hurdle—getting her mare to stay confidently alone while sending her Mustang to perform other tasks.

00:15:14 Her message: it’s never too late to begin Liberty. Candace encourages listeners that no matter their age or experience, Liberty offers a unique and deeply rewarding connection with horses.

00:16:09 Practical first steps for Liberty beginners. She advises starting small—spending time in a round pen, moving with your horse, and observing how they respond to your body language.

00:19:55 Sneak peek: 1960s theme and surprises for the Invitational Freestyle. Candace teases her 2025 Invitational performance, hinting at a 1960s “Age of Aquarius” theme, a redesigned cart, and a special Liberty maneuver surprise.

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In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Elizabeth speaks with clinician Kathy Baar about her journey in horsemanship, the concept of liberty, and the importance of building relationships with horses. They discuss the balance between competition and liberty, the role of mentorship, and the significance of biomechanics in training. Kathy shares insights on building confidence in both horses and humans, the evolution of the Liberty Festival, and the importance of finding one's 'why' in horsemanship. The conversation culminates in a quick-fire round where Kathy shares personal anecdotes and insights.



Highlights:

How Kathy developed a deeper connection with her horses through Liberty work

The mental and emotional challenges of letting go of control

Behind-the-scenes of preparing her 2025 Liberty Festival performance

Why observation, empathy, and consistency matter more than commands

Tips for Liberty enthusiasts to enhance focus, communication, and trust at home

Key Moments:
00:01:50 Discovering the Power of Liberty in Horse Training
00:07:30 Overcoming the Challenge of Letting Go of Control
00:14:20 Preparing for the 2025 Liberty Festival Performance
00:22:55 Learning From Mistakes and Embracing Feedback
00:30:40 Kathy’s Philosophy on Observation, Empathy, and Consistency
00:38:10 Practical Tips for Liberty Enthusiasts at Home
00:44:25 Closing Thoughts and Festival Preview

Summaries:

00:01:50 Discovering the Power of Liberty in Horse Training
Kathy shares how she first explored Liberty work and how it transformed her understanding of connection, trust, and partnership with her horses.

00:07:30 Overcoming the Challenge of Letting Go of Control
She explains the mental shift required to release traditional control methods, embracing patience and responsiveness instead.

00:14:20 Preparing for the 2025 Liberty Festival Performance
Kathy takes listeners behind the scenes of her choreography, music choices, and the planning process that brings her performance to life.

00:22:55 Learning From Mistakes and Embracing Feedback
She reflects on challenges and mistakes during training, highlighting how horses provide honest guidance and opportunities to improve.

00:30:40 Kathy’s Philosophy on Observation, Empathy, and Consistency
Kathy discusses why a thoughtful, empathetic, and consistent approach is essential for building strong partnerships in Liberty work.

00:38:10 Practical Tips for Liberty Enthusiasts at Home
She provides actionable exercises and strategies to improve timing, communication, and trust with horses in personal practice.

00:44:25 Closing Thoughts and Festival Preview
Kathy leaves listeners with motivation for their own Liberty journeys and shares a preview of her upcoming 2025 Festival performance.