Great riding starts with mastering the basics, but that’s often easier said than done. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Lauren Sprieser shares her insights on the fundamentals of dressage and her approach to developing horses through the levels.
Episode Highlights:
8:30: The foundation every dressage horse needs
16:30: The core basics riders must master
23:40: Common misconceptions about foundational dressage work
34:25: Key traits of successful riders at every level
40:50: How to structure your ride and determine the right duration
Meet the Expert, Lauren Sprieser
Lauren Sprieser is a USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist With Distinction and an international Grand Prix dressage competitor. She has a successful training and coaching business, Sprieser Sporthorse, which she runs out of Clearwater Farm in Marshall, Virginia. In addition to producing numerous FEI horses and riders, Lauren is an acclaimed blogger for the Chronicle of the Horse and a regular contributor to Dressage Today, Noelle Floyd, and Practical Horseman. She is a graduate of the young rider and U25 programs and earned a degree in public policy and urban planning from Sarah Lawrence College.
Brought to You By Ride iQ
This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.
Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).
Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals!
We expect our horses to be fit, flexible, and athletic—but what about us? In this episode of Ask an Expert, strength and conditioning coach Tony Sandoval dives into rider fitness and shares his approach to building strength, balance, and body awareness in the saddle.
Episode Highlights:
15:00 – The current culture around rider fitness in equestrian sports
23:00 – Key components of a well-rounded performance plan
27:00 – How to approach fitness and wellness when starting from scratch
41:30 – Tips for adult amateurs beginning their fitness journey
48:30 – The most effective approach to flexibility and cardio for equestrians
Coach Sando has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry, beginning his career as a Division 1 collegiate strength and conditioning coach. After the opportunity to help an injured rider through rehab, he shifted his focus entirely to equestrian athletes and founded Coach Sando Training. Since then, he has worked with top riders including eventers Allie Knowles and Cosby Green. Coach Sando is passionate about helping riders improve their strength in the saddle, reduce common aches and pains, and build a deeper connection with their horses through intentional fitness and movement.
Want More From Coach Sando?
Coach Sando has been a guest on the Ask an Expert podcast twice and has created a comprehensive 10-module rider fitness program exclusively on the Ride iQ app. Each module is designed to target a specific aspect of rider fitness, helping riders become well-rounded athletes. You can access all of Coach Sando's resources and everything else Ride iQ has to offer by starting your free trial at Ride-iQ.com.
Book recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Whether you're a seasoned pro or an adult amateur, helmet safety is a topic that affects all of us. In this episode of Ask an Expert, helmet safety expert Jeanie Clarke helps us navigate the different helmet approval standards, emerging technologies, and what truly matters most based on your individual needs.
Episode Highlights:
3:00: The key differences between the main helmet safety standards
10:30: The different types of impact that helmets are tested for
28:00: Finding a helmet that truly fits
36:40: The exciting new helmet technology that is on the rise
Meet the Expert, Jeanie Clark
Jeanie Clarke is a lifelong horsewoman, a USEA ICP Level 2 Instructor, and a Graduate A Pony Clubber. She has competed at the FEI level in both showjumping and eventing and runs her own Jeanie Clarke Equestrian based in Ocala, FL. Combining her passions for educating others and providing top quality equipment, she founded Equestrian Outfitters with the goal of carrying the best equipment currently available on the market. Jeanie has undergone extensive training to become one of the leading industry experts in helmet safety, fitting, and technology and is now the main US representative for ARRO helmets.
Brought to You By Ride iQ
This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.
Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).
Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals!
We’ve all heard advice like “never let a colicky horse lie down” or “don’t let a hot horse drink cold water”—but how much of that is actually true? In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher separates fact from fiction as she busts some of the most common horse care myths once and for all.
Episode Highlights:
6:10: Debunking dental myths for young and senior horses
10:00: Colic dos, don’ts, and common misconceptions
17:30: Myths about when young horses are ready to be started
23:30: Misconceptions around scheduled care like joint injections and deworming
28:30: Miscellaneous horse care myths
Meet the Expert, Dr. Erica Lacher
A graduate of the University of Florida, Dr. Erica Lacher is the owner and lead veterinarian of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. She has a particular interest in helping sport horses have long, successful careers and helping owners learn how to make that happen! When she's not at the clinic, Erica competes her own horses in the jumper ring and also has a podcast called Straight From The Horse Doctor's Mouth.
Brought to You By Ride iQ
This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.
Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).
Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals!
As an equestrian, keeping a healthy mindset can be one of the toughest yet most important aspects of our sport. In this episode of Ask an Expert, transformational life coach Natalie Hummel shares advice for becoming the best version of yourself, both in and out of the saddle.
Episode Highlights:
13:00 – How to recognize and overcome limiting beliefs rooted in childhood
23:00 – Setting meaningful, healthy goals that align with your values
34:30 – Why competing isn’t essential for fulfillment or progress
42:30 – Empowering advice for riders who tend to undersell themselves
58:00 – Recommendations for riders that are recovering from a fall
Natalie Hummel is a fellow equestrian that uses her experiences to coach people towards their competitive goals. Natalie received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisville with a major in Psychology and a minor in Wellness. She was also the head research assistant in the learning and performance lab and went on to obtain her Wellcoaches certification and Mastery Coach certification.
Want More From Natalie?
Natalie is a returning guest on both the In Stride and Ask An Expert podcasts. In addition to those appearances, she hosted two seasons of the Mastermind podcast series, where she led mindset workshops with top riders. She also hosts Riders Unscripted, a series featuring anonymous, one-on-one sports psychology sessions that offer a candid look into the mental side of riding. You can access all of Natalie's resources and everything else Ride iQ has to offer by starting your free trial at Ride-iQ.com.
Want to make your horse look like a million bucks, just like the pros do? In this episode of Ask an Expert, top FEI groom Max Corcoran shares her favorite tips and tricks for next-level horse grooming and show-ready turnout.
Episode Highlights:
14:25 – Pro tips and tricks for braiding at competitions
33:20 – How to keep your horse’s legs and body clean at home
44:00 – Night-before and day-of prep to ensure your horse looks flawless for the jog
48:45 – Tricks for maintaining strong, healthy hooves in wet environments
53:50 – Strategies to help horses travel well and settle in at the show
Meet the Expert, Max Corcoran
Max was the Head Groom at O’Connor Equestrian for over a decade. She held that position at 3 Olympic Games, 3 World Championships, 3 Pan Am Games, and most of the world’s 5* events. Max also served as the President of the USEA from 2020 to 2022.
Brought to You By Ride iQ
This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.
Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).
Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals!
Max’s Book Recommendations:
World-Class Grooming by Emma Ford and Cat Hill
Max’s Product Recommendations:
Ever wonder how changing little things about your position might help make you better able to influence your horse, or help you stay with their movement? In this episode of Ask an Expert, certified rider biomechanics coach Suzanne Galdun shares all her tips and tricks for how to do a better job of becoming one with the horse!
Episode Highlights:
14:00 – Tips for shorter riders
20:00 – How to balance your weight in the saddle
28:00 – Improving your posting trot position
39:40 – How to develop steadier hands
58:00 – Fixing rider crookedness
Suzanne is one of only nine rider biomechanics coaches in the US currently accredited by Mary Wanless in her Ride With Your Mind method. Based in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, Suzanne has become a highly sought after clinician, teaching all levels of riders and horses, helping riders make small changes in their body to facilitate positive change in the horse.
Want More From Suzanne?
Suzanne has also joined Ride iQ for a rider biomechanics video review episode of Ask an Expert. In addition to her podcast appearances, she has a popular program on the app called Biomechanics for Every Rider, which has received outstanding feedback from members. You can access all of Suzanne’s resources and everything else Ride iQ has to offer by starting your free trial at Ride-iQ.com.
Curious about what dressage judges look for in the ring? In this episode of Ask An Expert, internationally renowned dressage judge Peter Gray shares his insights on the art and science of dressage judging. From tips on maximizing scores to understanding the judge’s perspective, Peter’s advice will help you refine your approach and boost your performance.
Episode Highlights:
Meet the Expert, Peter Gray Peter Gray is an esteemed international dressage judge and three-time Olympian who competed for Bermuda and later coached the Canadian eventing team. With judging credentials that include the World Equestrian Games, Peter brings a wealth of experience and a calm, insightful approach to judging and training.
Want More From Peter?
This is just one of three Ask An Expert episodes Peter has done for Ride iQ. What's more, Peter is also the voice (and brains) of Ride iQ's Dressage Test Playbooks where he goes movement-by-movement through every eventing dressage test and explains what the judge is looking for and where you might be leaving points on the table. You can access all of Peter's resources and everything else Ride iQ has to offer by starting your free trial at Ride-iQ.com.
In this episode of Ask An Expert, we sit down with Steve Kraus, an American Farriers Association Hall of Fame inductee. Steve brings a wealth of knowledge about all things hoof care—from understanding the anatomy of the hoof to addressing common problems like cracks and splits. If you’ve ever wondered what to look for in a good farrier or how to manage your horse’s hooves day-to-day, this conversation has plenty of practical advice.
Episode Highlights:
Meet the Expert, Steve Kraus
Steve Kraus leads Cornell’s Farrier Program and has been a guiding force in hoof care for over five decades. An American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman and consultant for Mustad Hoofcare, Steve brings unmatched expertise in therapeutic and performance shoeing. He is also the author of Shoeing the Modern Horse: The Horse Owner's Guide to Farriery and Hoof Care, a comprehensive guide for horse owners on hoof care best practices.
Brought to You By Ride iQ
This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.
Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).
Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals!
