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On today's episode, it seems only fitting to talk about the future on New Year's Eve. I sat down and talked with Christy Landwehr who is very well accredited Master Riding Instructor and NRHA Sponsorship Director to name a few of her titles.

Lesson programs play such a vital role for so many riders in the equine industry and a lot of us can remember that first lesson pony or horse we rode for the first time that we fell in love with and who changed our lives forever! In this episode, Christy and I discuss how what defines a lesson horse today has changed and how trainers in specific disciplines can do more to introduce new riders to the sport of riding. How open and honest communication between instructors and parents is essential to the safety of the student and for the running of the instructor's business, how thinking creatively can help attract parents to lesson programs and so many more topics.

As we look into the 2026 and all the hopes and goals we have for the year, it is important to be having these type of conversations to remember that a student's first experience in the saddle is positive for them to continue to grow and thrive in the industry!

Resources & Links:

• Christy Landwehr on Instagram
• Christy Landwehr on Facebook
• Email: clandwehr@nrha.com
• Explore your horse's future with Etalon
  • Discount code: Cowgirl5
• Join the TEC Email List!
• Check out the TEC blog

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Connect with Abby and The Educated Cowgirl:

• Follow on Instagram @theeducatedcowgirl and @theabbymae2
• Follow on Facebook @theeducatedcowgirl
• Follow on Tiktok @abbymaeTEC
• Check out the website

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In today's episode, I am honored to share with you my incredible conversation with Cheryl Cody. Recent inductee into the National Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame and the NRHA Hall of Fame!

She is an award winning journalist, photogragher, author and the smile reining competitors love to see at horse shows! She has truly built such a beautiful life and career and influenced everyone around her greatly! In this episode you'll hear her talking about the four main things she has lived by; to show up, work hard, be kind, and help the next person in line! How creativity is so helpful in the promotion and growth of the equine and western industries. As well as in managing horse shows, especially when unexpected obstacles come up! I had so much fun talking with Cheryl and left feeling so much more inspired with my own life!

We talk about everything from who most inspires her, her foundation, what these recent honors mean to her and even about her love for Hallmark Christmas movies!

Resources & Links:

• Take your horse's legacy to the next level with Etalon
  • Discount code: Cowgirl5
• Join the TEC Email List!
• Check out the TEC blog
• Visit the Cowgirl Museum!

Support the show

Connect with Abby and The Educated Cowgirl:

• Follow on Instagram @theeducatedcowgirl and @theabbymae2
• Follow on Facebook @theeducatedcowgirl
• Follow on Tiktok @abbymaeTEC
• Check out the website

Don't miss an episode so don't forget to follow the show or sign up for the email newsletter!

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On today's episode, I had the great opportunity of getting to speak with a very special guest who is changing the game for the horse industry in the form of jeans! Whitney Lloyd is the founder and owner of MarkWest Denim and as a horse girl and rider herself, she saw a need to create a riding jean for women that would help fix a lot of the common issues a lot of us girls have in the saddle from our jeans rubbing and giving us sores to having the perfect place to keep our phone while we are riding!

Whitney shares her story of how horses shaped and influenced her life growing up riding on her grandfather's ranch and taking lessons, the design process, how MarkWest is supporting the industry and the community and so much more!

I had such an incredible conversation with her and I can't wait for y'all to listen!

markwestdenim.com

IG: @markwestdenim

FB: @markwestdenim

Support the show

Connect with Abby and The Educated Cowgirl:

• Follow on Instagram @theeducatedcowgirl and @theabbymae2
• Follow on Facebook @theeducatedcowgirl
• Follow on Tiktok @abbymaeTEC
• Check out the website

Don't miss an episode so don't forget to follow the show or sign up for the email newsletter!