We talk about everything from how these teams are structured and funded to what coaches are actually looking for, plus real, actionable ways to start exploring options for your rider.

We cover:

1. What a collegiate club team is and how it differs from NCAA/NCEA
2. How IHSA works and why catch riding matters
3. Costs, funding, and scholarship realities
4. What coaches look for beyond talent
5. Time commitment and what “student-athlete” really means in this sport
6. Confidence, nerves, and the role of sports psychology
7. How fear develops and how to prevent it
8. What parents often get wrong (and how to better support their riders)
9. How to start exploring college riding programs
10. When to begin the process (timeline for high school riders)

Resources Mentioned

College Riding Exploration

1. Equestrian Talent Search (ETS Clinics): https://rideincollege.com/equestrian-talent-search
2. Tournament of Champions Series: https://rideincollege.com/tournament-of-champions

Organizations & Competition

1. IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association): https://www.ihsainc.com/
2. NCEA (National Collegiate Equestrian Association): https://collegiateequestrian.com/
3. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association): https://www.ncaa.org/

Virginia Tech Equestrian

1. VT Equestrian Team: https://vatechequestrian.weebly.com/
2. VT Equestrian Team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiatechequestrian
3. VT Animal Science (Equine Program): https://www.apsc.vt.edu/

Broke Horse Moms

1. Join the newsletter https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
2. 2026 Planning Workbook: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/2026
3. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms

In this episode, Angie shares why building a “horse mom village” is one of the most important things you can do—not just for your rider, but for your sanity as a parent trying to figure out a sport you didn’t grow up in.

From the horse mom bestie who helps you talk through barn drama, to the barn family who helps with logistics, to the horse dad who brings perspective when your nerves take over, Angie walks through the seven types of people every horse mom needs in her corner.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure, or like you’re the only one trying to figure this world out, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Why horse moms often rely too heavily on trainers for support
2. The importance of building your own support system
3. The 7 types of people every horse mom needs in her village
4. How other parents can help you see your rider more clearly
5. Why connecting with other horse families changes the entire experience
6. Simple ways to start building your barn community

Resources Mentioned

1. Join the BHM newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
2. 2026 Planning Workbook: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/2026
3. Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/brokehorsemoms

Huge thanks to Steve Woodward, The Podcasting Editor, for his masterful post-production and helping make this episode sound its best.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Gannon, adult amateur rider and volunteer of the Central Virginia Show Jumping Association (CVSJA), to talk about how local horse shows actually run, from costs and volunteers to why they’re critical for young riders and adult amateurs alike.

We cover:

1. Local vs rated horse shows
2. What kids learn beyond ribbons
3. The real costs behind running a show
4. Why volunteer support matters
5. What happens if grassroots associations disappear

If you’re a non-horsey horse mom trying to understand the ecosystem you just joined… his one’s for you.

Resources Mentioned

CVSJA

1. https://www.cvsja.org/
2. https://www.instagram.com/cvsjashows/

Broke Horse Moms

1. Join the BHM newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
2. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms

In this episode, Angie shares what’s actually helping her family get through an extended stretch of freezing temperatures, from the clothes that make barn life bearable to the small comforts that keep everyone’s spirits intact.

This isn’t a sponsored gear roundup or a “do it perfectly” episode, it’s a real look at how Broke Horse Moms survive winter when the horses still need care, the kids still need encouragement, and you’re just trying not to lose feeling in your toes.

In this episode, we cover:

1. The winter clothing that’s earning its keep at the barn
2. Why gas station hot chocolate is sometimes the answer
3. Things that matter more than you expect when it’s icy (looking at you, low gears and manure)
4. Community-tested winter survival tips from other horse moms
5. Lessons WE can teach our kids when the rings are frozen over

If you’re cold, tired, and still showing up, this one’s for you.

Helpful links & resources:

1. Broke Horse Moms newsletter: brokhorsemoms.com/newsletter
2. Newsletter archives (in case you sign up AFTER we send the email with links): https://brokehorsemoms.kit.com/profile
3. https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/

Have a winter survival tip or story? DM me or send an email - I’d love to share it in a future episode.

Whether you’re leasing, half-leasing, riding lesson horses, or just starting to wonder what’s next, this conversation is for moms navigating big decisions without a horse background or unlimited resources.

What We Cover in This Episode

1. How to know when riding has moved beyond “just a phase”
2. The difference between emotional readiness and financial readiness
3. Why leasing first can be helpful, but isn’t the only path
4. What parents often underestimate about horse ownership
5. How to evaluate fit between horse, rider, trainer, and barn
6. Why “waiting” can sometimes be the smartest decision
7. What surprised Angie most after buying a horse

Helpful Resources Mentioned

📝 Broke Horse Moms Planning Workbook

A practical tool to help you think through goals, logistics, schedules, and finances before making big horse-related decisions.

👉 https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/2026

☕ Support the Podcast

If this episode helped you feel more grounded or less alone, you can support the show with a small contribution. Every bit helps keep Broke Horse Moms going.

👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/brokehorsemoms

A Friendly Reminder

There is no “right” timeline for buying a horse. Leasing longer, waiting another season, or deciding not to buy at all doesn’t mean you’re less committed. It means you’re making thoughtful decisions for your family.

If you loved this episode, please consider following the show, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with another horse mom who’s quietly doing the same mental math right now. 🐎💙

In this episode of Broke Horse Moms, Angie sits down with her daughter Chloe for an unfiltered planning conversation using the 2026 Broke Horse Moms Planning Workbook. Together, they reflect on 2025, set rider goals, set MOM goals, choose shows with intention, and define a couple of mom boundaries around time, money, and energy.

This isn’t a “perfect plan” episode. It’s a practical, honest look at how horse families can plan a season together, without turning it into pressure, guilt, or a contract written in pencil and stress.

You’ll hear how they:

1. Reflect on what mattered in 2025 (the highs and the lows)
2. Let the rider lead goal-setting without mom editing the answers
3. Create a realistic show wish list (and talk about the why)
4. Do a reality check on time, budget, and family capacity
5. Prepare for trainer conversations before show season starts
6. Define wins that aren’t tied to ribbons

If you’ve ever thought, “I just want to feel a little more organized this year,” this episode and the workbook are for you.

👉 Download the free 2026 Broke Horse Moms Planning Workbook at brokehorsemoms.com/2026

It’s that time of year — show season is winding down, leases are ending, and a LOT of families start wondering… Is it time to switch barns?

In this episode, Angie cracks open one of the spiciest topics in the horse world: when, why, and how to switch barns without burning every bridge in sight.

And yes — before hitting record, she even texted Chloe’s trainer to ask, “Should I even talk about this??” The trainer’s answer: “We can talk tonight… just keep it focused.”

So we did. And here it is.

Quick Favor? ⭐️

If you love this podcast, the easiest free way to support it is by leaving a rating or review:

How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

1. Open Apple Podcasts
2. Search for and/or tap the show name (Broke Horse Moms)
3. Scroll past the episodes to Ratings & Reviews
4. Tap ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Tap Write a Review and leave a note!

How to Rate on Spotify

1. Go to the main Broke Horse Moms show page
2. Tap the About tab
3. Tap the ⭐️ rating and select your stars — done!

Want to Support the Show?

If you’d like to help keep this podcast running and support this Broke Horse Mom you can make a small contribution at:

👉 https://brokehorsemoms.com/shavings

Episode Highlights

• Why so many families switch barns at the end of show season
• The most common reasons people leave a barn (horses, money, goals, program fit, vibes)
• Why switching barns feels so emotional and personal for both parents and trainers
• Angie’s own experiences with two previous barn switches — one easy, one gut-wrenching
• How to leave a barn gracefully (honesty, kindness, communication)
• What to say, and what not to say, when making the transition
• How to avoid switching prematurely by choosing the right type of program from the start
• Key questions to ask yourself about goals, budget, horse needs, and your kid’s riding path

Links Mentioned

• Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bhm
• YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• Broke Horse Moms Newsletter: https://brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter

Thanks for Being Here 🤍

If you enjoyed this conversation or it helped you feel less alone in your horse mom journey, share it with a fellow barn mom or tag me on IG. You’re part of this herd, and I’m so grateful you’re here.

Trot on, friend. 🐴

Together, they break down two of the biggest topics in the horse world: affordability and accessibility.

• What do those words actually mean?
• How do families realistically navigate a sport known for being intimidating, financially and culturally?
• And where can moms find options even when the “traditional” paths feel out of reach?
• The importance of having a 'teacher' in your trainer
• Piper's thoughts on how to make a sustainable living in this sport

Whether you’re brand new to riding or knee-deep in breeches and lesson schedules, this conversation will help you understand how to create opportunity for your kid, without losing your mind or your entire savings.

Plus, a Trainer Truth Bomb every new horse parent needs to hear.

Resources + Links:

The Plaid Horse: theplaidhorse.com

Show Strides book series: https://amzn.to/480z37l (affiliate)

Follow Piper: https://www.instagram.com/piperklemmphd/

Follow The Plaid Horse Magazine: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidhorsemag/

In this episode, I’m breaking down our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide EARLY so that you have a list of items to hand out and choose from yourself. From fun rider finds and practical mom must-haves to gifts that will make your trainer actually smile, this guide keeps it real, affordable-ish, and useful.

Plus, I’ll share a little mom math on why buying the bigger-ticket horse things now actually saves you money later and a behind-the-scenes update on how you can support Broke Horse Moms so we grow to better support you.

Featured Brands & Links

(Find full details and discount codes in the newsletter!)

• SmartPak Equine: brokehorsemoms.com/smartequine - Get $20 off your first order
• Free Ride Equestrian: shopfre.com/bhm or use code BHM at checkout for 10% off
• Armor Equestrian: Horseshoe earrings, stencils, glitter, candles, and more - Use code BHM for 15% off

Get the Full 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Subscribe to the newsletter and get the complete list (with links + codes!) sent right to your inbox the day this episode drops OR embedded in the welcome email if you're taking your sweet ole time:

👉 brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter

☕ Support the Show

If something in this episode made you laugh, helped you save, or made you feel a little less alone in this horse-crazy life, you can support the show for the cost of a bag of shavings:

👉 brokehorsemoms.com/shavings

🐴 Connect with Broke Horse Moms

• Website: brokehorsemoms.com
• Instagram: @brokehorsemoms
• YouTube: Broke Horse Moms

Elizabeth shares her daughter Samantha’s journey from pony kid to Division I athlete, including how they navigated the financial reality of competitive riding, what it took to earn scholarship money, and what life is like on a collegiate equestrian team. Spoiler: the recognition and opportunities NCAA riders get might surprise you.

Whether your child is just starting lessons or already dreaming of riding under stadium lights, this episode offers hope, honesty, and hard-earned insight from a mom who’s been there.

In This Episode:

• How Elizabeth and her family juggled multiple jobs to keep their daughter in the saddle
• The process that led to 66% of Samantha’s college tuition being covered through scholarships
• Why NCAA equestrian matters for visibility and respect within college sports
• How being a horse mom opened unexpected career doors for Elizabeth
• What moms should know early on if their kid might want to ride in college

About Elizabeth Howell

Elizabeth is the founder of Howell Media and a marketing and media strategist who helps entrepreneurs and executives leverage LinkedIn and podcast guesting to grow their visibility. Before building her business, she spent nearly two decades supporting her daughter’s equestrian career, from braiding horses at 2 a.m. and managing horse shows to running her own mobile equestrian gift store, She Rides I Pay. Elizabeth has also worked with top equestrian media brands and helped NCAA Equestrian build its early social media and sponsorship programs.

Links & Resources

• https://collegiateequestrian.com/
• https://collegiateequestrian.com/sports/2020/7/10/recruiting%20101.aspx
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/euh24/

🧡 Stay in the Herd

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share it with your favorite barn mom, or leave a review letting us know what part of Elizabeth’s story hit home.

• https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• https://www.youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms

Angie covers:

• What’s typically included in a lease (board, vet, farrier, feed, lessons, insurance)

• What you’re allowed to do, like showing, hauling, and off-property rides

• How lease pricing is structured and what’s negotiable

• The clauses to consider before signing on the dotted line (purchase price, substitution, media use, notice period)

If you’re about to sign or start negotiating a lease, this episode will help you spot the red flags and protect your wallet and your sanity.

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the show, and share this episode with another horse mom about to enter the world of equine fine print!

Whether you’re a first-time horse show mom staring down breeches, jodhpurs, and tall boots, or a seasoned rider wondering what’s tradition vs. what’s truly required, this episode will help you breathe easier.

Together, Angie and Jennifer cover:

• Breeches vs. jodhpurs - who wears what and why
• When kids transition from paddock boots to tall boots
• The role of jackets in hunters, jumpers, and equitation
• The truth about shirts, ties, belts, gloves, and bows
• Where most moms overspend too soon on apparel
• Borrowing, renting, and consignment hacks to save money
• Why Riders Rent is changing the game for Broke Horse Moms

Along the way, Angie shares her own horse mom missteps (hello, bows that never saw the ring), while Jennifer brings her deep equestrian experience and her practical advice for moms who want their kids to look the part without emptying the wallet.

Watch the video here: http://youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms/

Connect with Jenn and Rider's Rent:

• https://www.ridersrent.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/ridersrent/
• https://www.instagram.com/jconnor611/

Connect with Angie and other Broke Horse Moms:

• https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• http://youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms/

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with another horse mom who needs to hear she’s not alone in this wild, wallet-draining sport!

In this episode of Broke Horse Moms, Angie kicks off our Barn Basics series with a crash course in horse leasing: the what, the why, and the different ways families approach this “horse renting” option before diving into ownership.

Angie covers:

• What a lease actually is (and why non-horse people look at you funny when you say you’re doing it)
• When it makes sense to lease instead of just taking lessons OR instead of buying outright
• The key differences between care leases and paid leases
• Onsite vs. offsite leases and how location affects flexibility and responsibility
• The pros and cons of full vs. partial leases, including how schedules and show plans come into play

Whether you’re weighing your first lease, debating whether it’s worth it, or just trying to understand barn lingo, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared (and less confused) when the topic comes up at your barn.

💡 Stay tuned for Horse Renting 102: Inside the Lease Agreement where Angie gets into contracts, costs, and what to look out for before signing on the dotted line.

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with another horse mom who’s figuring out whether to lease, buy, or just keep lessoning her way through this wild, wallet-draining sport!

In this episode of Broke Horse Moms, Angie sits down with fellow horse mom (and rider!) Jen Nelson, co-founder of Armor Equestrian, to talk about carving out your own joy in the horse world, even when the sport starts as “just your kid’s thing.”

Jen shares:

• How her daughter Taylor’s first lesson turned into a lifelong mother-daughter bonding experience
• What it’s really like to lease a horse vs. buy one (and how Roh-Bear came into their lives)
• Why she decided jumping wasn’t for her, and how to find what you love most about riding
• The truth about balancing show costs, point chasing, and family budgets
• How Armor Equestrian was born out of barn heartbreak and became a brand that brings sparkle, fun, and joy back into riding
• A hilarious first installment of our new segment: Trainer Truth Bombs

Whether you’re considering a lease, wondering how other moms afford the show circuit, or simply looking for permission to find your own barn-time joy, this episode is packed with real talk (and plenty of laughs).

Special for listeners: Armor Equestrian is offering 15% off with code BHM → shop here.

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with another horse mom who needs to hear she’s not alone in this wild, wallet-draining sport!

From Chloe’s very first pony ride at the county fair, to her first falls (and my first ringside heart attacks), to finding Phoebe, the opinionated pony who changed everything, I’ll take you through the highs, the wipeouts, and the unexpected ways horses transformed not just Chloe, but me too.

This is the story behind Broke Horse Moms: the lessons, the friendships, and the dreams being chased.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re navigating barn life without a map, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How our family accidentally fell into horse life
• The role Chloe’s uncle and grandparents played in keeping horses in the family
• The bumpy road of lessons, leases, and falls (including broken bones and stitches)
• How Phoebe became Chloe’s heart pony and show partner
• The incredible growth I’ve seen in Chloe (and myself) through this journey
• Why I created Broke Horse Moms

Links & Resources:

✉️ Join our virtual barn family (weekly newsletter): https://brokehorsemoms.kit.com/56f40ee3d1

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/

Check out what else is going on: www.brokehorsemoms.com

Hosted by Angie Trueblood, proud horse mom and member of the “I-thought-this-was-just-a-phase” club, we share the real talk, laughs, and lessons that help moms navigate barn life, horse shows, and big equestrian dreams, without losing our minds (or all our money).

From learning the lingo to surviving your first show season or even what comes next for your teen rider, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re brand new or barn-seasoned, this is your place to connect, learn, and laugh with moms who get it.

Subscribe now and join our virtual barn family at brokehorsemoms.com.