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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live audience at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont with Chrissy Rohan, Alyx West, Hadley Rogerson-Leach and Dr. Jenny Wilkinson.
Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
Guest: Chrissy Rohan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Vermont, where she has spent the past decade teaching equine management and training. She also serves as Faculty Advisor to the student-run cooperative horse barn, home to 22 horses just minutes from campus. A lifelong equestrian, Chrissy grew up riding on her family’s farm in Charlotte, VT, competed in Pony Club and the Big Equitation, and rode on UVM’s IHSA team. Chrissy is deeply involved in the equestrian community, serving for over 15 years with the Vermont Hunter Jumper Association and supporting advocacy efforts through the Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group. 
Guest: Alyx West is an Animal Science major with a minor in Equine Studies, expected to graduate in May 2027. She has been riding horses most of her life, and having horses as part of her college experience has been her favorite part of being at UVM. At the UVM Horse Barn, she serves as a teaching assistant for the Equus program taught by Professor Chrissy Rohan. Alongside a team of other teaching assistants, she teaches riding lessons, basic horsemanship, and horse care while also helping oversee UVM’s leased Animal Science horses. After graduation, Alyx hopes to enter the veterinary field as an assistant or technician and continue working with horses in any way she can.
Guest: Hadley Rogerson-Leach is a senior at the University of Vermont and a member of the UVM Horse Barn Cooperative. Her passion for horses began at age seven, when she read every horse book in her school library before receiving a riding lesson for her eighth birthday. She joined the UVM Horse Barn in 2024 as a teaching assistant for the university’s Equus program. Hadley plans to pursue a career in the equine industry after graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. 
Guest: Dr. Jenny Wilkinson grew up riding in Virginia and competed on the University of Virginia’s Equestrian Team. She spent several summers working as a wrangler in Wyoming and now returns with students for hands-on learning experiences. After completing her veterinary degree at Cornell, she worked at Vermont Large Animal Clinic before joining the University of Vermont in 2008. She teaches a range of equine-focused courses and created the travel study program “The European Pony Tour,” taking students abroad to Ireland and France with plans to visit Scotland next. 
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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live audience at Oldfields School in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland with Julie Winkel and Linda Allen. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
Guest: Julie Winkel is a leading equestrian trainer, judge, and clinician with extensive achievements in hunter and jumper disciplines. She has held USEF R-rated judging licenses since 1984 and has judged prestigious events such as the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National, and USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. As one of the first USHJA Certified Trainers, she has trained horses to the highest levels, including Grand Prix wins and hunter championships, and continues to compete today. Julie is a sought-after clinician and educator who owns Maplewood Stables in Reno, Nevada, where she trains, shows and breeds horses. She recently received the 2024 CPHA Lifetime Achievement Award. 
Guest: Linda Allen has had a distinguished 60+ year career in equestrian sports as a rider, judge, and course designer. As a former Grand Prix competitor and USET member, she transitioned into officiating and coaching and became a highly respected Jumper Course Designer and Judge. Linda has earned global recognition for designing courses at prestigious events, including the 1996 Olympic Games, FEI World Cup Finals, and as Technical Delegate for the World Equestrian Games. A member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, Linda authored "101 Jumping Exercises for Horse and Rider" and several books and received numerous accolades, including the USEF Pegasus Medal of Honor, Course Designer of the Year, and multiple lifetime achievement awards for her contributions to the sport.
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Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
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Welcome to The Plaidchat- an extension of The Plaidcast where we expand upon conversations in our sport and discuss the most recent issue of The Plaid Horse Magazine. Today, Piper speaks with Ryan Haselden, our May/June cover feature story of The Plaid Horse magazine. Listen in and share with your friends!
Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
Guest: Ryan Haselden is a 15-year-old show jumper that has ridden and competed all over the world, splitting her training time between Atlanta, Ocala and Ireland, and is currently showing in Regional Grand Prix around the southeast. She is also a vocal advocate for the training and use of CPR and AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) at horse shows. Read about Ryan in the May/June print issue of the magazine. 
Read the Latest Issue of The Plaid Horse Magazine
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Tonya Johnston, Mental Skills Coach speaks with equitation commentator Ava Stearns who herself was a past winner of the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, Grand Champion at Junior Hunter Finals and an All-American Athlete for Auburn University. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.
Host: Tonya Johnston, Visit her Website, Facebook and buy her book Inside Your Ride 
Guest: As a junior, Ava Stearns started out riding for her family's Pond View Farm on Martha's Vineyard, MA. She then became a working student for Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run. Ava won the 2019 ASPCA Maclay National Championship, was second in the WIHS Equitation Championship and Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals—East, and grand champion in at Junior Hunter Finals. As an athlete for Auburn University, she was an 8-time All American. These days, Ava is a sought-after commentator for top equitation events such as the Maclay Finals, Medal Finals, international Grand Prixs and other top equestrian events. 
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Sponsors: Zoetis, Sentinel, Chewy and Mojo Joint
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Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live audience at Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz, Pennsylvania. 
Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse
Guest: Dr. Shauna Carter is the Head of School at Linden Hall. She is a servant leader with nearly 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in public and independent schools. She holds degrees in English, English Education, Educational Administration, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Passionate about empowering girls and young women, she has been active in organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.
Guest: Erika Kurtz is the Riding Coordinator and Trainer at Linden Hall. With nearly 20 years of experience in the equine industry, Erika is a highly respected trainer, instructor, and 'r" hunter/equitation judge known for her strong horsemanship and thoughtful approach to rider development. She holds a degree in English Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management from the University of Findlay. She also serves as Head Coach of the Franklin & Marshall College Equestrian Team and holds a trainer certification through the USHJA and instructor certification from the Certified Horsemanship Association. Erika also serves as Regional President for her IEA region. 
Guest: Diana Smedley graduated from Linden Hall School in 2010 where she served as Co-Captain of the Riding Team during her Junior and Senior years. After graduation, she studied Photography & Design at the School of Visual Arts and completed the Entrepreneurship Program at the International Culinary Center in New York City. After relocating to Lititz, PA, she founded Lancaster Gift Box- a specialty food store featuring over 150+ Pennsylvania food brands. Through Lancaster Gift Box, she donates 1% of annual sales to organizations in Hunger-Free Lancaster.
Guest: Izzi O’Brien is a member of the Class of 2029. Izzie rode for six years before Linden Hall and helps with school horses and the horses at Zone finals. Izzie also helps with the college horse shows on campus.
Guest: Sophie Suk is a member of the Class of 2026 and has ridden at Linden Hall for three years. She rode for IEA this year and was 4th place at Zone finals. Sophie will be attending Wellesley College in Boston, MA.
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Title Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
Sponsor: Sentinel and Chewy
 Join us at an upcoming Plaidcast in Person event!