Shut Up and Ride

This week, Jenny and Ben are joined by five-star eventer, Mustang trainer and exceptional horsewoman Elisa Wallace — and wow, what an episode.

From training Mustangs and building relationships with horses others might overlook, to competing at the very top of eventing, Elisa’s career has always put horsemanship at the heart of everything she does.

But this conversation also goes somewhere much deeper.

Elisa talks openly about her fall at the final fence at Badminton — and the brutal social-media backlash that followed, including death threats. She is truthful, vulnerable and wonderfully honest about what that experience did to her, what she learned from it, and how you keep going when suddenly everyone has an opinion.

At the heart of the episode is a question we keep coming back to:

When you’re competing at the very top, which hat wins — the horseman or the competitor?

Expect tears, some incredible insights and Ben at possibly his happiest — talking horses with another person who truly thinks like a horseman.

Elisa is thoughtful, refreshingly honest and a fierce advocate for the horse. This is a conversation about competition, pressure, mistakes, social media and what putting the horse first really looks like.

Is this what the horse world needs to learn?

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Sponsor: British Eventing's Be Prepared Initiative
(00:01:13) - Introduction and Welcoming Elisa Wallace
(00:03:27) - Elisa's Background and Road to the Horse
(00:04:38) - Discovering Mustangs and Fledge's Story
(00:10:01) - Mustang Training and Wild Horse Realities
(00:17:12) - Mirroring, Energy, and Connecting with Horses
(00:22:36) - Building Trust and Managing Frustration in Horses
(00:25:19) - Mental Focus, Mistakes, and Show Pressures
(00:29:25) - Position, Teaching, and Groundwork Philosophy
(00:33:13) - Comparing Training Styles and Enjoying the Process
(00:35:44) - The Badminton Afib Incident and Its Aftermath
(00:45:40) - Rebuilding Trust After Trauma
(00:50:43) - Horses Finding Their Right Jobs
(01:00:55) - Bridleless Riding and Testing Communication
(01:07:47) - Classical Horsemanship and Testing Yourself
(01:12:21) - Quick Fire Questions
(01:18:08) - Dealing with Online Trolls and Criticism
(01:23:51) - Closing Thoughts and Farewell

This one goes off the rails a bit… but, quite frankly, that’s what we do best.

Think honest, unfiltered chat down the pub with your mates — horses, life, opinions, tangents and absolutely no idea where the conversation is going next.

We start with the bridleless display at the Aachen Opening Ceremony. Seeing bridleless riding showcased on one of the biggest stages in equestrian sport feels significant — but is it? Is this a sign that attitudes really are changing in the horse world, and are we starting to rethink what good riding and horsemanship can look like?

From there, things take a turn.

Following the sad news of Dolly Parton’s death, we talk about Dolly, her extraordinary life and why certain people seem to mean so much to so many of us. That leads us somewhere we perhaps weren’t expecting, as Ben talks openly about his faith and we get into one of those very honest conversations about life, beliefs and the things that shape who we are.

Then, somehow, we're back to horses.

We discover just how different our coaching styles are, what makes a good coach, what makes a good pupil and whether the person with the most talent is necessarily the person you most want to teach.

And then it’s over to you.

We answer the questions you sent us on social media. 

It’s candid, funny, occasionally serious and mostly chaotic.

Basically, it’s Shut Up and Ride doing what Shut Up and Ride does best.

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - British Eventing's new initiative, Be Prepared
(00:01:15) - Shut Up & Ride
(00:02:45) - My Back's Falling Off
(00:05:32) - Dolly Parton Dances In The Pool
(00:08:52) - Jessie On Dolly Parton's Death
(00:10:08) - Jesus On A Mission In Heaven
(00:12:23) - Adam on His Religion
(00:15:58) - I'd like to meet my grandfather
(00:17:47) - Bridle Elimination at the World Equestrian Championships
(00:22:46) - Simon on teaching kids to ride with spurs
(00:28:15) - How to Improve Your Seat on a Horse
(00:29:58) - Simon On Liberty: I Tell People To FUCK OFF In A Training
(00:33:59) - The Woman Who Kicked Me Out Of Baby Yoga
(00:36:12) - What Makes The Perfect Client?
(00:37:48) - How to get a Horse to Like You
(00:40:06) - Peter Andre on Teaching People to Ride
(00:44:43) - Riding a Horse
(00:45:59) - What's The Most Scary Moment You've Ever Been On A
(00:51:00) - Chewie the Dog's First Birthday
(00:51:18) - The Truth About Crying On The Horse
(00:52:51) - Tommy on His First Horse
(00:56:21) - I'd like to do 5 Star for a day
(00:57:57) - Why did Jenny move to Canada?
(00:58:51) - What would you suggest doing for a horse that naps on the
(01:03:10) - A Patreon for Equestrian Fans
(01:05:20) - Favorite breed of horse
(01:06:00) - Any tips for hard ground?
(01:06:57) - Simon Rants About Rain On A Tent In Rural France
(01:09:50) - Simon on the Dressage Test
(01:11:17) - What Annoys Me Most About Pooing In Sinks
(01:12:59) - "You're supposed to give way to the other driver"
(01:14:49) - Simon on the
(01:16:48) - Shut Up And Ride: The Politics Podcast

What’s the difference between being a great rider and being a true horseman?

This week, Canadian show jumper Ben Asselin joins Jenny, Simon and Ben to talk horsemanship, the lessons he’s learned competing at the highest level and why understanding the horse has to go far beyond what happens in the ring.

Ben also takes us inside Spruce Meadows — the iconic venue founded by his grandparents, Ron and Marg Southern — and explains what makes it such a special place for horses, riders and fans of the sport.

Plus, we go behind the scenes of FAULTLESS, the new six-part show jumping documentary series that essentially gives show jumping the Drive to Survive treatment.  Produced in partnership with Rolex, which Ben co-executive produced alongside his brother Kyle.

From what makes a true horseman to one of the greatest venues in the sport and a new series taking show jumping to a global audience — this is a brilliant conversation with someone who has spent his life immersed in the sport.

Faultless

New episodes when ever we have time. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation!

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - British Eventing's new initiative, Be Prepared
(00:01:13) - Stepping Up Ride
(00:02:56) - Flatland at Spruce Meadows
(00:07:50) - Simon Greave at the CPKC presented by Rolex
(00:13:09) - The Equine Eventing Experience at Hickstead
(00:16:08) - The Greatest Rider of All Time: Spruce Meadows
(00:22:51) - What Do Horses Have Teached You?
(00:24:56) - What Is The Difference Between A Horseman and A Good Rider?
(00:25:51) - What's the difference between a good horseman and a good rider
(00:32:58) - Richard Vogel on Being Hard On Himself
(00:33:57) - The Rolex Grand Slam of Jumping
(00:38:08) - How Hard It Is to Win a Horse Jumping Grand Prix
(00:42:53) - Ben Simon on Eventing
(00:44:52) - A drive for the horse
(00:45:30) - Faultless
(00:52:18) - The Rolex Grand Slam
(00:55:33) - The Story of Karl King in Horse & Cartel
(00:59:04) - How Did You Choose Your Riders?
(01:03:58) - Matt Hickstad in The Final Episode
(01:05:43) - Irish Dancing on Lorraine
(01:07:51) - What's Annoyed You This Week?
(01:08:41) - James McAvoy on His Favorite Horse
(01:11:48) - The Most Scared A Horse Has Ever Made You
(01:13:34) - Honor riding his daughter's horse
(01:14:45) - What Makes a Great Horseman?
(01:15:11) - Simon on the Hot Temper
(01:17:26) - Ben on Being Annoyed This Week
(01:20:34) - Faultless

This week Jenny and Ben are joined by the one and only Freddy Steele — Liberty Legend, stunt rider, horseman, performer and mindset coach.

Freddy takes us behind the scenes of a life spent doing things with horses that most of us wouldn’t even dare attempt… from jaw-dropping stunts and live performances to dressage, liberty work and developing a true partnership with the horse.

But there’s much more to Freddy than the spectacular stuff.

We get into mindset, confidence, communication and training horses, and ask Freddy some of the tougher questions about the horse world — the things we all see, think about and sometimes don’t dare say out loud.

And, because apparently one Freddy isn’t quite enough, Simon makes a very brief guest appearance before his live demo!

Expect horses, stunts, some seriously good conversations and plenty of Shut Up and Ride honesty.

New episodes when ever we have time. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation!

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

  https://www.streamz-global.com/   Discount Code SHUTUP10

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - British Eventing's Be Prepared Program
(00:01:54) - Charles Owen Protects My Head
(00:03:53) - I Organised The Second Guest's Appearance
(00:04:28) - Introducing the Guest
(00:05:23) - Freddie Steele's Entrance
(00:06:08) - Crazy World
(00:11:49) - Freddie's Horse Show
(00:16:24) - Horsepower Fury at Horsepower
(00:21:15) - The Importance of Horsemanship
(00:24:38) - Do Horse and Bike Shows Get Pushback?
(00:31:04) - Goodminton and Dressage
(00:38:43) - Dressage in the Circus
(00:40:17) - Spanish and Portuguese Working Equitation
(00:44:10) - Simon Grieve at the Horse Trials
(00:47:42) - Simon About To Do His Demo
(00:48:26) - Watch: Freddie Steele on Working Horses
(00:51:33) - Eco Earplugs for Horses
(00:56:24) - Tom Cruise: You Teach People To Fall Off Horses
(01:01:04) - Stay On Your Horse
(01:06:34) - Ben's Old School Toys
(01:08:01) - Fool On The Horse
(01:09:10) - What Annoyed Me Most About This Week's Podcast
(01:09:42) - Brexit Annoying Me
(01:11:15) - International Visitor Fee in US National Parks
(01:13:29) - Shut Up And Ride

This week’s episode is a difficult one.

Simon and Jenny come together to reflect on the heartbreaking losses of Sophie and Kerry while eventing, two much-loved members of the eventing community. As friends, colleagues, and fellow equestrians, they share their personal thoughts, memories, and emotions while trying to process a tragedy that has been felt across the sport.

This isn’t an episode with answers. It’s an honest conversation about grief, the close-knit nature of the eventing world, and the impact these losses have had on so many people.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and everyone affected during this incredibly difficult time.

BE Supoort trust details 

Their confidential mental health helpline, delivered in partnership with Sporting Chance, is available 24 hours a day. By calling 07780 008877, you will be connected with a mental health professional who can listen and help you access the most appropriate support.

You can also make contact by:

Contact form: https://www.sportingchanceclinic.com/get-support
Email: support@sportingchanceclinic.com

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Shut Up And Ride Podcast
(00:00:24) - Benji the Horse
(00:02:00) - Kerry and Sophie
(00:06:38) - The horse rider who died in a show jumping accident
(00:13:11) - Simon Cowell on Izzy Taylor's heartfelt message
(00:14:53) - The terrible eventing tragedy
(00:21:43) - Jumping on the Horse after the Event
(00:26:29) - A message for Izzy the Eventing Mum