The US Equestrian Open Podcast

Laine Ashker is doing something no one else in the US Equestrian Open has done: competing in two disciplines at once.
Annie sits down with her on this episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast to talk about the road to a first four-star win at Maryland with Lovedance, and a Grand Prix dressage career built on Zeppelin that's already taken her to the Open Final in Thermal.
Two horses, two sports, one rider trying to qualify for both finals in the same year. Laine talks through what changed after stepping back down a level with Lovedance, the affirmations practice that's turned her season around, and how eventing and dressage have quietly been making each other better all along.
Highlights
Winning at Maryland with Lovedance
Building Zeppelin's Grand Prix freestyle
The affirmations that changed her season
Riding two sports at the top level
What dressage and eventing teach each other
Guests
Laine Ashker – five-star eventer and Grand Prix dressage rider, the first athlete to compete in both disciplines of the US Equestrian Open

Four disciplines. Dozens of names. One long exhale as Aachen finally starts feeling real. Annie and D sit down with every world championship team announcement now in hand, and the dressage squad alone gives them plenty to chew on.
A fifty-year gap between the youngest and oldest riders on one team? That's not a typo, that's just where this sport is right now. Ashley Holzer's four-decade arc from Seoul to Aachen sits next to Christian Simonson's early-twenties breakout, and somehow it all has to gel into a team.
Then there's the strength-in-depth problem nobody but Germany gets to have: an Olympic champion sitting as second reserve. Annie and D can't decide whether to be impressed or worried for everyone else.
And with Rebecca Farm kicking off, the languishing in-between period officially ends this weekend.
Highlights
Dutta Corp. US Dressage Team breakdown
Fifty years, four riders, one team
Germany's ridiculous reserve list
Eventing, jumping, para, driving and vaulting round-up
Mill Street Under 25s preview
Rebecca Farm predictions kick off

The US eventing team for Aachen is out, and on this episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast, Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne break down every name on the list.
Cooley Nutcracker steps in where Commando 3 was expected, and the panel digs into why that shift might matter more than it first appears. Diabolo gets the underrated tag he's been quietly earning for two years, and Phillip Dutton's case for experience over exposure gets its own hearing.
Then there's Lillet 3, the ten-year-old some fans already had down as a lock, and the gap between her ceiling and her floor. Annie and D close it out by weighing Great Britain, Germany and the US against each other heading into the championship, medal chances and all.
Highlights
The US Aachen team, name by name
Cooley Nutcracker in, Commando 3 out
The case for an underrated Diabolo
Phillip Dutton's experience argument
Lillet 3's high ceiling, low floor
Early medal chances across nations

Christmas comes early as the first Aachen team is announced. Annie and Diarm react to the US jumping squad, discuss the biggest selection talking points, and look at what it means as World Championship teams begin to take shape. They also review the latest eventing action from Maryland, where Laine Ashker secured her first four-star victory, and discuss what the results could mean ahead of US team selection.
Then Annie catches up with dressage rider Claire Darnell, currently third on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard. Claire reflects on the unexpected season she and Harold have enjoyed, why she nearly stepped away from the horse at the start of the year, the story behind her Hunger Games freestyle, and why an 80s soundtrack is next on the playlist.
Highlights
The US jumping team for Aachen is announced
Maryland Horse Trials review and what it means for US eventing selection
Claire Darnell on Harold, her breakout season and nearly taking a different path
The story behind her Hunger Games freestyle and why it's changing this summer
What makes a great freestyle, developing horses from young stock and life in Wellington
Guest
Claire Darnell - US Grand Prix dressage rider based in Wellington, Florida, currently third on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard with Harold

This week on the US Equestrian Open Podcast, Annie and Diarm look ahead to Maryland Horse Trials and what's at stake in the latest eventing qualifier as the leaderboard battle continues.
There's also discussion around Rotterdam and another major statement from Marilyn Little and La Contessa as selection conversations continue.
Plus, Annie catches up with Stephanie Goodman after becoming the first combination to win on their four-star Open debut at Aspen Farms. Stephanie reflects on building her program in Idaho, the horse that brought her back to the sport and why Elwenda keeps proving her wrong.
Highlights:
• Maryland Horse Trials preview
• Open leaderboard implications
• Rotterdam and jumping selection discussion
• Stephanie Goodman on her Aspen Farms win
• Elwenda's journey to four-star success