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In this special Plaidcast in Person episode, recorded live at the Kentucky Horse Park, host Piper Klemm sits down with Thoroughbred trainer Cherie DeVaux to discuss her journey in horse racing, her historic accomplishments, and her approach to training at the highest levels of the sport.
Based in Kentucky, DeVaux has established herself as a prominent figure in Thoroughbred racing. In 2026, she made history as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner with Golden Tempo, later capturing the Belmont Stakes with the same colt. She also became the first female trainer to win multiple Grade 1 races on the same day, further cementing her place in racing history.
Throughout the conversation, DeVaux shares insights into her career, the dedication required to compete at the highest level, and her philosophy on developing successful racehorses. Her story highlights perseverance, horsemanship, and the growing influence of women in Thoroughbred racing.
theplaidhorse.com
Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.
At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.
Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.
We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.
Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail
In this special Plaidcast in Person episode, host Piper Klemm visits Chatham Hall, an all-girls boarding and day school in Chatham, Virginia, to explore the school's equestrian program and the role horses play in developing confidence, leadership, and personal growth.
Known for its strong academic community and commitment to empowering young women, Chatham Hall offers students the opportunity to pursue their passion for horses while balancing academics, athletics, and personal development. Through its equestrian program, riders of varying experience levels can develop their horsemanship skills, strengthen their relationships with horses, and build valuable life skills both in and out of the saddle.
Piper sits down with members of the Chatham Hall community to discuss the school's unique approach to equestrian education, the opportunities available to student riders, and the importance of fostering the next generation of equestrians.
Learn more about Chatham Hall at www.chathamhall.org.
To see upcoming Plaidcast in Person events near you, visit www.theplaidhorse.com/the-plaidcast/.
theplaidhorse.com
Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.
At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.
Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.
We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.
Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of The Plaidcast, host Tonya Johnston, a Mental Skills Coach with a Master’s in Sport Psychology, welcomes internationally recognized equestrian Performance Coach Poppy Blandford for an insightful conversation about mental preparation, building confidence, managing perfectionism, and developing the mindset needed to perform consistently under pressure.
Based in Ireland, Poppy works internationally with equestrian federations, development squads, teams, coaches, and riders to strengthen mental performance and help athletes thrive in competitive environments. Her clients include Olympic and World Equestrian Games athletes, Global Champions Tour team riders, and leading stables throughout Europe and the United States. She also tutors for the Rolex Young Rider Academy and the Wesko Equestrian Eventing Foundation and has delivered workshops for Horse Sport Ireland, British Showjumping, and the FEI.
Throughout the conversation, Tonya and Poppy explore the importance of developing internal resources, embracing discomfort, and shifting perfectionism away from self-criticism and toward productive growth. Poppy shares practical strategies for managing emotions after challenging rides, using her RISE framework to build consistency, and incorporating effective visualization and intentional reflection into training. They also discuss Poppy’s collaboration with World of Show Jumping and the value of sharing real-life experiences with mental coaching.
Tonya also introduces her Inside Your Ride Mindset Journals, designed to help riders reflect on their experiences, track progress, and strengthen their mental skills through structured journaling.
theplaidhorse.com
Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.
At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.
Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.
We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.
Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of The Plaidcast, Piper Klemm is joined by Anne-Sophie Milette of Primi for a conversation exploring the evolving European horse market and the process of finding and importing horses for North American riders.
Originally from Canada, Anne-Sophie moved to Belgium to pursue her career in the equestrian industry and has developed a unique perspective on the differences between European and North American horse markets. She shares how Primi is working to simplify the horse-buying experience through its fixed-price auction model, comprehensive veterinary evaluations, and transparent sales information. Anne-Sophie also discusses the importance of matching horses with the right riders, the challenges of acclimating imported horses to new environments, and Primi's upcoming November sale.
Visit the website at: https://www.primi.horse/ 
theplaidhorse.com
Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.
At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.
Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.
We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.
Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of The Plaidcast, host Piper Klemm sits down with 2026 Washington International Horse Show judges Michael Tokaruk and Patrick Rodes to take listeners behind the scenes of one of the nation's most prestigious equitation competitions.
Michael Tokaruk is an accomplished rider, trainer, USEF "R" judge, and owner of Tokaruk Show Stables, a full-service hunter, jumper, and equitation training and sales operation based in Wellington, Florida. With numerous Grand Prix victories and championship titles to his name, Tokaruk has coached riders to success at the highest levels of the sport and officiated at prestigious competitions, including the ASPCA Maclay National Finals and USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final.
Patrick Rodes is an experienced equestrian professional with more than 35 years in the industry and the founder of Southbound Show Management. Alongside his wife, Jana, he is an owner, rider, and breeder at All Around Farm in Argyle, Texas. His extensive background includes horse show management, hunter and jumper course design, judging, and equestrian facility consulting. Rodes is also involved in the ownership and management of Saratoga Management Group, bringing a wealth of experience in competition operations and the equestrian industry.
Together, Tokaruk and Rodes discuss the unique judging format, challenging course designs, and the importance of testing riders' adaptability through the hunter, jumper, and horse-swapping phases. The conversation highlights standout performances from the week's top junior riders, including champion Emmy Richard, reserve champion Caitlyn Link, and third-place finisher Lizzie Reinhardt.
The judges also share their perspectives on the introduction of handy hunter rounds, strategic riding decisions, and what separates a good performance from an exceptional one. Plus, they reflect on the pony equitation finals, the impact of the flat phase on final standings, and the importance of maintaining traditional horsemanship standards in today's competitive show environment.
theplaidhorse.com
Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.
At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.
Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.
We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.
Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!