Episodios

  • Dressage Champion: Sadie Smith’s Journey from Riding School to Grand Prix

    Dressage Champion: Sadie Smith’s Journey from Riding School to Grand Prix
    Apr 15 2026
    Dressage rider Sadie Smith joins Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps on this week’s Talk Horse to talk about life inside one of equestrian sport’s most precise and demanding disciplines. Sadie became British Dressage National Champion at Grand Prix level in 2025, made her World Cup debut at the London International Horse Show, and was shortlisted for the FEI European Dressage Championships. Known for her sympathetic training style and ability to produce horses through the levels, she’s quickly established herself among the UK’s top riders. Sadie talks about her incredible partnership with Swanmore Dantina, the horse that helped take her to the top, as well as her journey producing horses from young prospects to Grand Prix performers. She also reflects on her time working with Carl Hester, gaining experience around legendary horses like Valegro, and riding professionally in the Netherlands. Do share your horsey stories with us info@talk-horse.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 8 m
  • S3 Ep6: Khadijah Mellah: The Teen Who Rode Into Racing History

    S3 Ep6: Khadijah Mellah: The Teen Who Rode Into Racing History
    Apr 8 2026
    From Peckham to Goodwood… this is a story that changed British racing. Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps sit down with Khadijah Mellah, the trailblazing jockey who stunned the racing world when she won the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood in 2019. The first hijab-wearing jockey to ride in a competitive horse race in Britain, let alone win. Growing up in Peckham with no racing background, Khadijah’s journey into the saddle took off at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and quickly became one of the most inspiring stories in British sport. She talks about learning to ride as a teenager, the whirlwind of going from riding school to one of racing’s most famous tracks, and the pressure of competing in front of a global audience. Khadijah also reflects on what that historic win meant for diversity in racing and how horses changed the direction of her life. Plus, it’s that time of year again… Pippa and Tristan gear up for the biggest race in the calendar - the Grand National! We love hearing from you, so drop us a line on info@talk-horse.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 9 m
  • S3 Ep5: The Man Behind the Medals | Yogi Breisner

    S3 Ep5: The Man Behind the Medals | Yogi Breisner
    Apr 1 2026
    What does it take to build an Olympic medal-winning eventing team and keep horses performing at the very highest level? This week on Talk Horse, we’re joined by one of the most respected figures in the equine world - Yogi Breisner. From competing at the Olympics himself to leading the British Eventing Team through four consecutive Games as Team Performance Manager, Yogi has shaped some of the biggest moments in modern equestrian history. Over 17 years he helped deliver four Olympic team medals, multiple European titles, and a World Championship win transforming Britain into a dominant force on the global stage. But it all could have been so different were it not for a postal strike… Listen now to hear the full incredible story. Plus, Pippa turns her attention to Thoresby Park, a crucial qualifier for Badminton and Tristan reveals a rather shocking truth for a horse podcast presenter. We love hearing from you, so drop us a line on info@talk-horse.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 12 m
  • S3 Ep4: Life on the Edge of the Saddle | Ben Atkinson

    S3 Ep4: Life on the Edge of the Saddle | Ben Atkinson
    Mar 25 2026
    Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps are joined by Ben Atkinson, one of the UK’s most electrifying equestrian performers, stunt riders and horse trainers. From standing astride galloping horses in Roman Riding to commanding teams with nothing but voice and body in Liberty, Ben isn’t just a rider… he’s a true action star on horseback. Raised in a family of elite horsemen, Ben was performing by the age of nine, working on film sets by eleven and training with world-class stunt riders as a teenager. Today he leads Atkinson Action Horses, supplying highly trained horses and stunt riders for major productions including Poldark, Peaky Blinders and Victoria. Plus, Pippa and Tristan dive into some of the strangest horse events around the world, and Tristan reveals what happened when he had a rather sharp encounter with a New Forest pony… We love hearing from you info@talk-horse.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 12 m
  • S3 Ep3 : Natalie O'Rourke Million Pound Fight to Save Her Stable

    S3 Ep3 : Natalie O'Rourke Million Pound Fight to Save Her Stable
    Mar 18 2026
    Pippa and Tristan are joined by a true powerhouse of the equine world this week. If you don't know Nat's story - then you really should! From being fired because of her passion for horses to raising over £1 million in a national campaign to save her riding school, Natalie O’Rourke MBE has one of the most remarkable stories in grassroots equestrian sport. As the founder of Park Lane Stables in South London, she has built a community where horses help children and adults with disabilities develop confidence, independence and joy through her long association with the RDA. When the stables faced sudden closure in 2021, Natalie and her volunteers launched an extraordinary fundraising effort that captured the public’s imagination. The campaign secured the future of the centre and the thousands of families it supports each year, earning Natalie an MBE and The Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year along the way. Plus Pippa and Tristan are dallying with AI once again! Details of Park Lane Stables can be found here - https://www.parklanestables.co.uk/ We love hearing from you. Do email us at info@talk-horse.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 9 m
  • S3 Ep2: The Road to Cheltenham with Nico de Boinville

    S3 Ep2: The Road to Cheltenham with Nico de Boinville
    Mar 11 2026
    It's Cheltenham week! And who better to join Pippa and Tristan this special week than one of jump racing’s most successful riders, Nico de Boinville. As the principal jockey for Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson, Nico has ridden more than 800 winners, claimed over 50 Grade 1 victories and celebrated many wins at the legendary Cheltenham Festival - including on Old Park Star this week - winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. With the Cheltenham roar ringing out this week, Nico joins the pod to talk about the thrill, pressure and preparation behind the biggest meeting in jump racing. He reflects on his journey into the sport leaving university early to pursue a career in racing and working his way up. Nico also opens up about bouncing back after a recent fall earlier this season, the mindset it takes to recover from injury and get straight back in the saddle, and what it’s like riding some of the greatest horses in modern racing, including the phenomenal Constitution Hill. Plus and unusual technique to avoid post race interviews... Plus we'll have a guest appearance from pod alumni Mick Fitzgerald and a mini Cheltenham quiz. Keep sharing your stories, join us on social media, or drop us an email at info@talk-horse.com. See you soon for lots more Talk Horse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 3 m
  • S3 Ep1: Joe Ashman on Free Rein and Finding a Passion

    S3 Ep1: Joe Ashman on Free Rein and Finding a Passion
    Mar 4 2026
    We’re back for Series 3 of Talk Horse! Did you miss us? We’re kicking things off in style with a guest hot off a flight from LA. Actor Joe Ashman, otherwise known as Callum in Netflix’s epic equine drama Free Rein, sits down with Olympic eventer Pippa Funnell and Made in Chelsea star Tristan Phipps to discuss all things horse. How he exaggerated his riding ability to land his dream role, why Free Rein ignited a love of horses, his bond with his on screen equine partner Milo, and his passion for the work he now does as an ambassador for the Riding for the Disabled Association. Donate to Joe's London Marathon for the RDA here https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/joe-ashman?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGnAzfYunM4mViLZVqiYGEXcUZp1-XfNuzgKAFcOAGKpGZpPJrNEiNdAeO8RiI_aem_-zt3qRICJM8d_PzMeo4IbQ Plus, he has an important message for Tristan about why it’s never too late to start riding. And the games are back! Today Pippa takes on Tristan in “Nay-Listers”. There may even have been some cheeky cheating. We’ll be revealing all on our socials this week... Whether you’re a lifelong rider or simply horse curious, saddle up and let’s Talk Horse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 5 m
  • S2 Ep19: Boyd Exell - Four Horses. One Man. Pure Excellence

    S2 Ep19: Boyd Exell - Four Horses. One Man. Pure Excellence
    Feb 4 2026
    In the last of our live specials, Pippa and Tristan speak to the incredible Boyd Exell. Our first guest from the world of carriage driving and what a man to start with. One of the most decorated four-in-hand carriage drivers in history, Boyd has been crowned World Champion seven times in combined driving and has won the FEI World Cup Driving Final an unprecedented 11 times, more than any other driver. In a journey that took him from rural New South Wales to the very top of international carriage driving, Boyd reflects on how he first fell for the sport, the bold move to Europe that transformed his career, and the mindset required to stay at world-champion level for decades. He shares how he builds trust across a four-horse team, what continues to drive him after so many historic wins, and what goes through your mind when you drop the reins mid-race. Spoiler… he will not be doing that again. We’ll be back with series three from 3 March. Keep sharing your stories, join us on social media, or drop us an email at info@talk-horse.com. See you soon for lots more Talk Horse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 m