Since we launched On The Rail Podcast in August 2022, we've proudly released a new episode every Monday without fail - 142 episodes and hundreds of thousands of downloads later. Week after week, we've shown up with new conversations, stories, laughs, lessons, and memories. It's been a wild, fun, humbling ride.

We're so incredibly grateful for the amazing community that's grown along with us - the guests who shared their time and experiences, and all of you listening who've supported us, cheered us on, and reminded us why these conversations matter.

Like anything in life, there are seasons. And right now, we find ourselves entering a new season where we need to take a little pause. It's time to shift some energy toward personal and professional goals that need a little more attention for now.

This isn't necessarily goodbye - it's likely just a temporary break. We're leaving the door wide open for what's next, and we hope you'll be there whenever the time feels right to hit record again.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for riding alongside us. This has been one of the most special journeys, and we're so proud of what we've built together.

We'll see you again - somewhere on the rail.

In this episode of On The Rail Podcast, Abby Wimer, marketing director for the Celebration Center and Bar K Bar Arena in Lyons, Kansas, talks about the realities of managing a horse show facility in a rural area.

Abby shares her background growing up on a cattle ranch in central Kansas and her subsequent career path in the pharmaceutical industry before returning home. She discusses her role in overseeing the operations of the Celebration Center and Bar K Bar Arena, detailing the various equine and community events hosted at the facility.

Abby highlights the importance of community involvement and support for maintaining and growing the facility, including the unique funding structure. She also reflects on the positive impact her late husband Matthew Wimer had on her work and the horse community.

The conversation touches on the challenges of managing diverse events, adapting footing requirements for different disciplines, and the ongoing efforts to expand and improve the facility. Abby provides advice for show managers and facility operators in similar rural settings, emphasizing the value of community cooperation and continuous learning.

01:07 Abby's Background and Journey

03:16 Joining the Celebration Center

04:17 Roles and Responsibilities

05:19 Community and Events

07:34 Memories and Tributes

10:48 Facility Overview and Operations

17:01 Equine Events and Activities

22:27 Managing the Arena

30:52 Weekly Routine and Challenges

36:46 Unique Features of the Facility

37:27 Exciting Retail Opportunities

39:43 Booking and Tourism Grants

42:11 Community and Family Atmosphere

51:27 Future Plans and Improvements

58:44 Advice for Show and Facility Managers

01:08:57 Living the Dream: Personal Reflections

In this comprehensive episode of the On The Rail Podcast, accomplished guests Chelsea Sinclair and Jim Dettmer discuss the often misunderstood world of stallion collection, semen processing, and shipping.

We discuss the intricacies of stallion behavior, training, and management, highlighting the importance of understanding both the mare's and stallion's sides in breeding practices. They share personal stories and valuable insights about best practices, common misconceptions, logistical challenges, and personal experiences in the industry, all while emphasizing the importance of communication and proper handling for successful breeding outcomes.

01:00 Chelsea's Background in Horse Industry

02:17 Jim's Journey in Stallion Management

03:14 Importance of Understanding Stallion Management

04:50 Stallion Collection Process Explained

05:21 Training Stallions for Collection

14:47 Frequency and Logistics of Stallion Collection

19:21 Impact of Regimen on Stallion Fertility

24:54 Processing and Shipping Stallion Semen

43:13 Common Misunderstandings and Best Practices

49:57 Managing Mare Shipments: Strategies and Challenges

53:19 Communication and Logistics in Breeding Management

58:24 Shipping Realities and Impact on Semen Quality

01:03:39 Selecting and Managing Stallions for Breeding

01:14:54 Red Flags and Best Practices in Breeding Management

01:27:57 Personal Stories and Experiences in Breeding Management

01:33:30 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, we welcome back Kyle Elliot, a professional flat-shod Tennessee Walking Horse trainer from Shelbyville, Tennessee.

The discussion primarily revolves around recent developments related to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and its implications for the entire horse industry. Kyle shares his perspective on the HPA regulations, their history, and the broader impact on various horse breeds.

The conversation highlights the challenges and confusion surrounding the enforcement of the HPA, issues about funding, scar rules, and the complexities of self-policing within the horse industry. Concerns are raised about the uncertainty this brings to smaller horse shows and the potential changes needed to adapt to future regulations. The episode also touches on the broader horse industry's need for unity in addressing these regulatory changes.

00:48 Background on the Horse Protection Act (HPA)

01:17 Kyle's Experience and Insights

02:05 Recent Developments and Industry Impact

02:40 Challenges and Confusion in the Industry

03:20 Historical Context and Legal Battles

05:14 Regulatory Enforcement and Industry Reactions

11:17 Future Implications and Ongoing Concerns

20:24 Inspection Protocols and Feasibility Issues

26:24 Liability and Management Concerns

38:19 Inspection Setback and Legal Challenges

39:15 Confusion and Delays in Implementation

40:12 USDA's Role and Public Response

42:20 Concerns Over Enforcement and Fairness

43:37 Potential Impact on Horse Shows

44:29 Legal Authority and Inspection Procedures

45:58 Scar Rule and Its Implications

48:19 Future of Horse Industry Regulations

01:02:05 Final Thoughts and Industry Unity

In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we get into an unstructured and candid conversation about our personal experiences with horse showing. We discuss the reasons they love showing horses, the challenges we face, and how our perspectives have evolved over time.

We also touch upon topics such as finding the right trainer, setting personal boundaries, and dealing with show anxiety. The episode offers listeners an introspective look into the complexities of horse showing and valuable tips on navigating the equestrian world.

01:39 Why We Show Horses

04:14 Personal Journeys in Horse Showing

08:27 Taking a Break and Burnout

18:00 The Magic of Horses

30:01 Finding the Right Trainer

34:09 Understanding the Importance of Homework in Horse Training

37:03 The Value of Trusting Your Gut

39:30 Respect and Boundaries in Trainer Relationships

42:17 Finding the Right Trainer and Barn Atmosphere

44:26 Challenges and Lessons in Horse Training

52:23 The Importance of Communication and Transparency

57:33 Balancing Expectations and Enjoying the Journey

01:02:36 Future Plans and Reflections

In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we get into the intricacies of saddle making with custom saddle maker Joey Wenger from East Berlin, Pennsylvania.

Joey shares his journey from growing up in a horse show family to becoming a renowned saddle maker. He discusses the challenges he faced starting his business, the learning curve of working with leather and tools without any prior experience, and how he gradually perfected his craft.

Joey also provides insights into the importance of saddle trees, the process of designing custom saddles, and the evolving trends in the industry, particularly the rise of ranch saddles. This episode offers a thorough look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and innovation required to excel in the saddle making business.

01:22 Joey's Background and Early Years

02:20 Starting the Leather Business

03:39 Challenges and Learning on the Job

06:12 Family Support and Initial Struggles

10:54 Transition to Saddle Making

20:22 Developing Custom Saddle Trees

29:49 Saddle Making Process and Custom Orders

38:56 Innovations in Saddle Design

39:22 The Rise of Ranch Saddles

42:39 Leather Tooling and Craftsmanship

46:48 Challenges in the Saddle Industry

50:33 The Impact of Rising Costs

55:43 Future Trends and Opportunities

57:17 Personal Reflections and Family Life

01:01:25 The Importance of Quality and Customization

01:08:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we welcome Brooke Dixon, a ranch horse trainer based in Gunnar, Texas at the DG Ranch.

Brooke shares her journey from growing up in Delaware with a horse trainer father to becoming a professional trainer herself. She discusses her training philosophy which emphasizes understanding horses as individuals, ensuring they are confident, and meeting them where they are.

Brooke highlights her transition from all-around horse shows to specializing in ranch riding, giving insights into her training routines, client relationships, and the importance of not putting too much pressure on oneself. She also shares her experiences working alongside her fiancé, Clint Thomas, and their goals for their business, Clint + Brook Performance Horses.

00:47 Meet Brooke: From Delaware to Texas

01:19 Brooke's Early Horse Training Journey

02:35 Supreme Champion: Brooke's Dad's Legacy

06:13 Balancing Sports and Horses

13:12 Training Philosophy and Approach

14:23 The Importance of Slowing Down

28:40 Building a Training Business with Clint

32:41 Navigating Horse Locations

33:22 Building Client-Trainer Relationships

36:49 The Versatility of Ranch Horses

39:28 Breeding and Training Ranch Horses

45:35 Lessons from Training Horses

50:07 Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

58:43 Future Plans and Contact Information

In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we converse with recurring guest Chase Parrish and his brother Cody Parrish.

They discuss their family background in the horse industry, Chase's transition from football to becoming a Marine and starting Stable Savers, and Cody's experiences running the family horse training business.

The brothers talk about lessons learned, the importance of integrity and patience, their experiences with the pony business they started as kids, and the qualities of a good client and horse trainer.

Additionally, they reflect on their family’s strong Christian values and how that has shaped their success and approach to life and business.

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00:00 Welcome to the On the Rail Podcast

01:32 Meet Chase Parrish: Marine and Horse Enthusiast

03:09 Introducing Cody Parrish: Life as a Horse Trainer

06:25 The Evolution of the Horse Industry

10:23 Lessons Learned from Growing Up in the Horse Business

14:29 The Pony Business: Childhood Memories and Lessons

23:47 Challenges and Advice for Young Trainers

39:47 Family Values and Integrity in Horse Training

42:40 Challenges of Balancing Family and Horse Training

44:30 Faith and Values in Sustaining a Family Business

46:56 Raising the Next Generation with a Love for Horses

51:52 Lessons Learned from Running Stable Savers

01:02:39 Qualities of a Good Client and Team Player

01:09:13 Contact Information and Final Thoughts