Meet Melanie Fransen, an amateur halter exhibitor whose story is equal parts heart, hustle, and humor. From growing up “basically born in a barn” to sharing the show pen (and plenty of laughs) with her mom, Melanie brings the fun side of showing to life. In this episode, recorded live at the Fall Color Classic in Lansing, MI, Melanie shares: - How a “fill-the-class” moment turned into a halter passion- The thrill of her successful futurity season — and the surprise Sportsmanship Award that meant the most- Balancing a busy career, travel, and life with a barn full of horses- What it’s really like showing alongside her mom (spoiler: total opposites!) It’s an upbeat, real, and relatable conversation about finding joy, teamwork, and balance in the show world.