From Texas to World Stage: Rachel Duhig's Polocrosse Journey.

Join us for an exciting conversation with international polocrosse champion Rachel Duhig, who has represented both the USA and UK at the highest levels of the sport. Learn about this fast-paced, dynamic equestrian discipline and how it's bringing people together across continents!

In this episode of The Equestrian Experience Podcast, we delve into the world of polocrosse with Rachel Duhig, exploring her remarkable journey from Texas to becoming an international champion and coach. Rachel shares insights into this unique sport that combines elements of polo, lacrosse, and netball.

• Growing up in a horse-loving family in Texas, Rachel shares how her father discovered polocrosse by chance and how it became their family passion. Her journey from junior competitions to international success showcases the inclusive nature of the sport.
• Rachel takes us through her impressive competitive career, including competing in the 2011 World Cup for Team USA while 12 weeks pregnant, helping secure their highest-ever 4th place finish. She later transitioned to representing the UK, bringing her expertise to a new team.
• We explore what makes the perfect polocrosse horse, from ex-racehorses finding new purpose to purpose-bred champions. Rachel shares stories about her legendary mare Lola and her exciting young prospects, Spitfire and Tesla.
• The unique format of international competition is revealed, where teams travel across the world and compete on borrowed horses - getting just four days to prepare with their assigned mounts before competition begins.
• Rachel discusses her transition into coaching, recently leading the UK Under-21 team to victory in Zimbabwe, and shares her perspective on developing young talent in the sport.
• The global polocrosse community spans across eight major competing nations, with growing participation across Europe and South America. Rachel highlights how the sport's accessibility and strong community spirit make it special.
• For those interested in trying polocrosse, Rachel emphasises that any willing horse can start at the lower levels, and the sport actually helps develop better riding skills as players focus on the game rather than overthinking their riding.

All this and more in this episode of THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.

Travelling the world, starring in movies, and representing your country in show jumping sounds like a dream, for Lilly Aspell, it’s real life. However, it doesn’t come without a lot of hard work, commitment and determination. Lilly lets us in on her world and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Famously known for her role as a young Diana (Gal Gadot) in Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, Lilly has also starred in the Amazon prime series The Pursuit of Love, films such as Extinction and most recently Retribution with Liam Neeson. In addition to her busy acting career, Lilly has also gained many accolades in her other love, show jumping, with her participating in the 2022 Horse of the Year Show and representing Team GB in the Ponies Team at the 2023 FEI Nations Cup in Zuidwolde. Coming off a short stint working at a professional show jumping stable in Florida, Lilly shares her journey to now and what the future holds.

IN THIS EPISODE:                                        

• We talk about how Lilly began riding and her family’s ties to the equestrian world. 
• An accomplished pony rider, Lilly talks about her recent transition from ponies to horses. 
• Have you ever wondered how show jumping stables differ in Florida and the UK? Bex and Lilly take us through their experiences and the thing they miss most whilst riding in Florida.
• Sometimes things feel like they were meant to happen, Lilly explains how she started her acting career seemingly by chance.
• Juggling a busy acting career and riding takes some work, we talk about how Lilly balances her two passions. 
• Lilly speaks about her experience representing Great Britain in the FEI Jumping Youth Nations Cup in Zuidwolde and what her beloved Bailey (Legends Rock) is up to now.
• We talk about Lilly’s plans for the future including the release of her latest movie, Retribution!

All this and so much more in this episode of THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.

Sam Woods and Bradley Champagne are two very exciting up-and-coming riders who live and breathe eventing, including being the “right-hand-man” to two of the world’s leading event riders, Boyd Martin and Shane Rose! Listen in for an insight into what a day working at the two of world’s top event stables entails and hear some sage words of advice about how to approach your young horse.

Specialising in breaking in and starting young horses, Brad and Sam spending most of their day giving race and performance horses the best start to their ridden careers, which sometimes includes acting as the crash-test dummy!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• We start from the beginning, as we delve into how Brad and Sam’s passion for horses started.
• Have you dreamt of working on a professional eventing yard? We chat about how Brad and Sam landed their respective roles.
• Hear the inside scoop on working for top event riders like Shane Rose and Boyd Martin.
• Learn about Sam and Brad’s approach to training young horses as they both empathise the importance of patience and time when working with any horse.
• Have you wondered what to look for in a young event horse? Brad and Sam chat about what characteristics they look for in a future event star!

All this and so much more in this episode of THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.