Send us Fan Mail

What if horse shows didn't leave you exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why you spent so much money?

This week, I'm recapping my weekend at the Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association's Little Buckeye—and honestly, it reminded me why I fell in love with horse shows in the first place.

One trip through the pen. Four judges. A horse show bill of just $356. Great competition, incredible prizes, amazing food, and somehow... I came home on Monday actually feeling rested instead of completely burned out.

In this solo episode, I'm sharing what made this show so different and why I think there are lessons here for the entire stock horse industry.

We also dive into:

• Why the "show once to four judges" format worked so well for me.
• Whether we've made horse showing more complicated than it needs to be.
• My thoughts on Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and why so many exhibitors feel intimidated.
• Why I think Green Horse eligibility deserves another look.
• An idea that could make showing more encouraging for new exhibitors and young horses.
• Why weekend horse shows still matter—and why I think they're an important part of keeping our industry strong.

This isn't about saying every horse show should look the same. Super circuits absolutely have their place. But after this weekend, I couldn't stop thinking about one question:

What if making horse shows more enjoyable is just as important as making them bigger?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What makes you want to keep showing—and what would make the experience even better?

If you see me at a horse show, please come say hello. Meeting listeners is one of my favorite parts of doing this podcast.

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send us Fan Mail

The horse industry has changed dramatically over the last twenty years—but are those changes helping us grow or quietly shrinking our community?

In this episode of Kanter Kulture, Ali sits down with horse trainer, educator, and industry advocate Crysta Brown for an honest conversation about the future of horse showing, the barriers keeping new people out of the sport, and what we can do to make horses more accessible without sacrificing excellence.

Together, they dive into everything from the rise of week-long horse shows and the disappearance of local stepping-stone opportunities to the challenges facing young trainers, the intimidation factor that drives people away, and whether our current system is sustainable long-term.

Crysta shares her thoughts on creating better "on-ramps" into the industry, developing future horsemen and horsewomen, supporting local clubs, and why horse professionals may need to rethink traditional business models. The conversation also explores confidence, imposter syndrome, mentorship, financial realities, and the difficult decisions many exhibitors face when balancing horses with real life.

Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a weekend exhibitor, a trainer, or someone wondering how to get started in the horse world, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where we are—and where we could go next.

Topics discussed:
• Why local horse shows matter
• The disappearing path from beginner to competitor
• Youth programs, 4-H, and industry growth
• Trainer burnout and sustainability
• Building a horse business in today's market
• Confidence, intimidation, and imposter syndrome
• Why mentorship matters
• Accessibility versus exclusivity in horse showing
• Creating better opportunities for newcomers
• The future of the Quarter Horse industry

Because the future of our industry depends on more than great horses—it depends on making sure people have a place in it.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Why This Conversation Matters
01:00 Crysta's Viral Post About Horse Shows
03:00 Have We Lost the Stepping Stones?
06:00 Why Horse Showing Feels Out of Reach for Many Families
08:00 Yellowstone, Katie Van Slyke & Public Perception of Horses
10:00 The Missing On-Ramp Into Quarter Horses
12:00 Volunteerism, Local Clubs & Industry Growth
15:00 Intimidation and Why People Quit Showing
16:00 The "Spicy Meatball" Debate About Amateur Divisions
18:00 Young Trainers & The Need for Mentorship
22:00 Confidence, Self-Doubt & Industry Pressure
27:00 Learning to Stop Caring What Others Think
29:00 What Do You Actually Want From Horses?
30:00 Ali's Real-Life Horse Show Dilemma
37:00 Why Professional Opinions Matter
39:00 Trainer Burnout & Why Horse Trainers Don't Charge Enough
42:00 The Business Side Nobody Teaches Horse Trainers
45:00 Marketing, Social Media & Building a Sustainable Business
48:00 Crysta's New Horseman Development Program
50:00 Building Better Pathways for Future Exhibitors
55:00 Final Thoughts on the Future of the Industry

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Kanter Kulture, I sit down with AQHA amateur exhibitor John Whitney for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet about what it REALLY takes to level up in the all-around industry.

We dive into:
• going from Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 competition
• the truth about “horse show politics”
• why consistency matters more than quick success
• campaigning horses the RIGHT way
• building young horses over time
• confidence, mental toughness, and showmanship strategy
• balancing horses, careers, money, and family life
• why some amateurs continue improving… and others plateau

John shares his journey from cleaning stalls and riding difficult horses in 4-H to competing at the highest levels of AQHA competition, all while balancing corporate life, family, and the realities of amateur showing.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the Level 3 pen, frustrated trying to “move up,” or questioned whether you belong in certain arenas… this episode is for you.

This conversation is packed with reality checks, motivation, strategy, and the kind of horse show talk we all have standing in the aisle at midnight after a class.

And honestly? Some of the things John says about “politics” in the horse industry might completely change the way you look at competition.

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send us Fan Mail

Just in time for Mother’s Day, we’re wrapping up our 3-part mom series with the final episode — and this one is for every horse show mom, trainer mom, barn mom, and woman trying to raise tiny humans while still chasing big goals.

Ali sits down with Jamie English to talk about the real-life juggle of motherhood, marriage, horse training, showing, pregnancy, childcare, living quarters trailers, ponies, screen time, and raising kids inside the chaos of the horse show world.

Jamie shares what it was like having her son later in life, riding through pregnancy, returning to the saddle after a C-section, managing a training business with a toddler, and learning that kids don’t have to stop your life — they can become part of it.

From packing bubbles and must-have toys to finding good help, communicating with clients, making time for your marriage, and teaching kids to adapt, this episode is honest, funny, relatable, and full of real talk from women who are figuring it out one horse show at a time.

Because horse show kids? They’re just built different.

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send us Fan Mail

KROSS KANTER is officially here.

In this first episode, I sit down with Alicia Owens — a multiple World and National Champion in the Morgan and Saddlebred industry — to kick off a series that goes beyond just one discipline.

This conversation is equal parts insightful and unfiltered.

We get into:

• The surprising similarities (and differences) between disciplines
• What each side of the industry doesn’t understand about the other
• The reality of amateur vs trainer relationships
• The true cost of horse showing—and what it’s actually worth
• And the one thing every horse person has… a heart horse

There are a lot of laughs, a few reality checks, and plenty of moments that will make you think, “wait… that’s exactly how I feel too.”

This isn’t just another episode.
It’s the start of something bigger.

Welcome to KROSS KANTER — different disciplines, same obsession.

• 00:00 – Introducing KROSS KANTER
• 02:30 – Meet Alicia Owens (Morgan & Saddlebred world)
• 06:00 – “Why are our industries so similar?”
• 10:00 – Discipline differences (and confusion 😂)
• 18:00 – Amateur vs Trainer dynamics (real talk)
• 28:00 – What it actually costs to show horses
• 38:00 – Academy vs ownership debate
• 50:00 – What makes a great horse (and rider)
• 1:05:00 – The reality of horse show culture
• 1:20:00 – “Heart horses” and emotional connection
• 1:35:00 – Funny horse show stories + chaos moments
• 1:50:00 – Final thoughts + what KROSS KANTER will be

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you reach the top… and then have to walk away?

In this episode of Kanter Kulture, I sit down with legendary AQHA showman Kip Riley—a World Champion whose journey in the horse industry is anything but ordinary.

From stepping away from horses for over 20 years… to coming back and dominating at the highest level… to ultimately losing a once-in-a-lifetime partner—Kip shares the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to succeed in the show pen.

We talk about:

• The mindset behind winning at the highest level
• The pressure of being “the one to beat”
• Why success isn’t always sustainable
• The devastating loss that changed everything
• Walking away from competition—and finding purpose again
• What riders don’t understand about judges
• How to actually stand out in the showmanship pen

This episode is for anyone who has ever:
Felt the pressure to perform
Questioned their place in the industry
Or wondered what comes after the dream

Because sometimes… the story doesn’t end at the top.

🎙️ Listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway.

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” with your horse but couldn’t quite explain it… this episode is for you.

I sat down with an equine sports medicine veterinarian at Unionville Equine Associates to have the kind of conversation horse owners actually need—unfiltered, honest, and incredibly eye-opening.

We’re talking about what vets really think (but don’t always say), how to better understand your horse as an athlete, and what goes into keeping them performing at their best.

We get into:

• The subtle signs your horse is trying to tell you something is wrong
• What “maintenance” actually means (and where people get it wrong)
• The truth about injections, PRP, and performance care
• Why your vet is not judging your budget decisions
• The biggest communication mistakes horse owners make
• How supplements can sometimes do more harm than good
• The importance of having a vet, trainer, and farrier working as a team
• How AI technology is changing the way we detect lameness

Plus, I walk through everything I’ve done with my own horse and get real-time feedback—which turned into a conversation every horse owner needs to hear.

This episode will genuinely change the way you look at your horse’s performance, health, and care.

And this is just Part 1… 👀

00:00 – Why we’re having this conversation

02:00 – What horse owners do that drives vets crazy (and what they don’t judge you for)

05:00 – The truth about cost, care, and realistic expectations

10:00 – Supplements: what works vs what’s a waste

15:00 – When you should call your vet (earlier than you think)

20:00 – What makes a great vet-client relationship

25:00 – Performance horses as athletes: what we’re missing

30:00 – Why “just inject the hocks” isn’t always the answer

35:00 – AI & lameness detection explained

40:00 – My horse Zeus: real case discussion

50:00 – Planning your horse’s performance season the right way

This episode is sponsored by DAC Vitamins and Minerals.

Not all vitamin E is created equal—and what matters most is absorption.

Their new LQ E Natural W.S. uses nano-dispersed technology, which means smaller particles, better absorption, and more consistent results—especially for performance horses or horses needing support.

If you’re just maintaining, their powdered version works great.
But if you need results—this is the one.

Check it out at feeddac.com.

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796

Send a text

In this episode, I sit down with the leadership team behind the Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association to talk about something many of us in the stock breed world are quietly wondering:

Why are horse show numbers decreasing?

We dive into the realities behind running an amateur horse show today — rising costs, financial management, sponsorship strategy, communication challenges, exhibitor feedback, and the delicate balance of creating competitive opportunity while maintaining community.

But what stood out most wasn’t the logistics.

It was the intention.

The Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association has built a show culture rooted in inclusivity, rookie and Level 1 opportunities, engagement across age groups, and — most importantly — fun. Their leadership team has been intentional about listening to exhibitors, evolving with the times, and creating an experience that working amateurs actually want to be part of.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on what it takes to sustain and grow an amateur horse show in today’s climate — and why community may be the most important strategy of all.

If you care about the future of amateur showing, this episode is worth your time.

This episode is sponsored by: Basic Equine Health.

Kanter Kulture is proud to partner with Basic Animal Health, a trusted name in equine supplements and wellness products designed to help your horse look, feel, and perform at their best.

From digestive and hindgut support to calming formulas for travel and show days, Basic Animal Health offers targeted solutions backed by quality manufacturing standards and thoughtfully formulated ingredients. Whether you’re hauling across the country, prepping for the show pen, or simply prioritizing your horse’s daily wellness, their product line supports intentional, results-driven care for serious horsemen.

I only align with brands I genuinely trust in my own barn — and Basic Animal Health has become part of that routine.

Explore their full line of horse products here:
👉 https://basicanimalhealth.com/collections/horse-products

Use code ALIHUBBELL for 10% off sitewide.

Thank you to Basic Animal Health for supporting Kanter Kulture and helping us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the equestrian community.

Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560033977796