Talk Horse

Recorded live at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, William and Alice Fox-Pitt join Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps for a very special episode of Talk Horse, brought to you in partnership with Musto. And we have a fantastic offer from Musto for the Talk Horse family! Use code TALKHORSE15 to receive 15% off everything on the website, including already discounted products, until midnight on 16 September 2026. Cannot be used with any other offer. William reflects on his extraordinary eventing career, the horses and moments that shaped it, and his many unforgettable experiences competing at Burghley. He also shares how his relationship with the event has changed since stepping away from competition and what it is like watching the next generation take on one of the toughest challenges in the sport. Alice takes us behind the scenes of her own life with horses, from competing and racing to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in equestrian broadcasting. Together, they reveal what life is really like in the Fox-Pitt household, how they balance horses, work and family, and whether they always agree when it comes to the sport they both love. Send us your questions for Fridays Free Rein Friday on info@talk-horse.com London International Horse Show are bringing us an eventing extravaganza at this December’s show. Get your tickets now for the evening performance on Friday 18 December for this historic masterclass! TALKHORSE10 to get 10% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't forget to use code TALKHORSE10 for a special discount on tickets for the London International Horse Show this December including the brand new eventing masterclass on Friday 18th. Welcome back to another Free Rein Friday catch-up on Talk Horse! 🐴 This week, Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps are diving into everything from exciting new partnerships to your most pressing equestrian questions. In this episode: The Safari Launch: We announce our new partnership with Steadfast and try on some rather "bougie" safari hats. For more details check out https://steadfast.africa/ and use code TALKHORSE for some lovely extras. Burghley & Norway: Tristan shares stories from his "international modeling" trip to the Norwegian fjords, and we look ahead to the action at Burghley. Training Your First Youngster: Pippa provides invaluable advice on the "ABC" method of training young horses, emphasizing trust, consistency, and reading body language. Career Reflections: Pippa answers what she might have done differently in her career (clue: it involves the water!) and shares the joy of the journey with every horse. Community Highlights: We reveal some incredible moss flower arrangements from our listeners and play another round of "Lone Ranger." 🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use the code TALKHORSE at checkout. Download the Saily app or visit: https://saily.com/talkhorse #TalkHorse #PippaFunnell #TristanPhipps #Eventing #HorseTraining #BurghleyHT #EquestrianPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a big announcement! Our fabulous partners at London International Horse Show are bringing us an eventing extravaganza at this December’s show, with our very own Pippa as ambassador. Get your tickets now for the evening performance on Friday 18 December for this historic masterclass! TALKHORSE10 to get 10% off. This week, we’re joined by the multi-talented Karl Ude-Martinez, founder of The Knights of Middle England. Karl has had one of the most unusual and exciting careers in the horse world, spanning acting, international polo commentary, stunt riding and professional jousting. Karl shares the story of his “baptism of fire” as a teenage knight at Warwick Castle, how he balances the precision of polo with the chaos of the jousting arena, and his deep belief in the transformative power of horses. He also reveals the realities of performing at speed in full armour, the trust required between horse and rider, and some unforgettable stories from a career spent entertaining crowds both in and out of the saddle. 🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use the code TALKHORSE at checkout. Download the Saily app or visit: https://saily.com/talkhorse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to another Free Rein Friday! In this special episode, Pippa returns from an incredible week at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen. We dive into the "battle of the titans" in the eventing world, celebrate the phenomenal British results across Dressage and Show Jumping, and share the inspiring stories of horse and rider partnerships that truly shone on the world stage. We also look ahead to the wide-open competition at Burghley, announce our exciting live show plans (come say hi!), and take a moment to answer a very moving listener question about finding the confidence to get back in the saddle after a tragic loss. We'll be interviewing equestrian power couple William and Alice Fox Pitt at the Musto Stand at Burghley after the Dressage (at around 4pm) on Friday 4th. Don't forget to use code TALKHORSE10 for 10% off your London International Horse Show tickets throughout August! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Olympic event rider and equestrian entrepreneur Rachael Faulkner joins Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps on Talk Horse. Rachael shares her journey from growing up with horses in England and Canada to fulfilling a childhood dream of representing Team Canada at the Barcelona Olympics — and why reaching that goal ultimately led her to step away from competitive riding. She also reveals stories from training with Captain Mark Phillips, breakfast with Princess Anne, an unexpected positive drug test on the road to the Olympics, and how she went on to transform Tweeseldown into one of Britain’s best-known equestrian venues. Plus, Rachael discusses building the Lucinda Green XC Academy with Eventing legend Lucinda Green and her work helping to shape the future of British Eventing. Have questions, anecdotes or stories? Send them to info@talk-horse.com for a chance to have them featured on an upcoming Free Rein Friday episode. With thanks to the London International Horse Show. Use code TALKHORSE10 during August for 10% off tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to another Free Rein Friday on Talk Horse! 🐎 Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps dive into your questions and share some behind-the-scenes stories from the equestrian world. Pippa reveals how her beloved children's book series, "Tilly's Pony Tails," actually came to be (and whether we'll ever see Tilly grow up!). We also tackle a listener dilemma: what do you do when your horse seems "too careful" for eventing? Pippa shares her expert advice on reading your horse’s confidence and knowing when to stick with a discipline or try something new. Plus, we answer a brilliant question about making the leap to becoming a professional rider—proving it's never too late to chase your equestrian dreams. In this episode: The origin story of the Tilly books Advice for adult novices aiming to go pro Tristan’s dream equestrian discipline Understanding horse "carefulness" in eventing vs. show jumping Our new listener game: Lone Ranger! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and send in your questions for next week! info@talk-horse.com #TalkHorse #PippaFunnell #EquestrianPodcast #Eventing #HorseTraining #TillysPonyTails #FreeReinFriday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part of Britain’s gold-medal-winning team, Gemma Stevens joins Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps for the latest episode of Talk Horse, recorded just before the team’s success at the Eventing World Championships in Aachen. Gemma is a powerhouse and a rarity in the equestrian world - competing at the highest levels of both eventing and international show jumping. From growing up at her mother’s riding school to representing Great Britain at the Rio Olympics, her career has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, we dive into how Gemma manages to jump 1.50m tracks one day and tackle four-star cross-country the next, the fascinating story behind the clones of legendary stallion Chilly Morning, her Olympic ambitions and what she’s doing to prepare her current string of horses for LA 2028. Have questions, anecdotes, or stories? Leave a comment below for a chance to have them featured on an upcoming Free Rein Friday episode or email info@talk-horse.com With thanks to the London International Horse Show. Use code TALKHORSE10 during August for 10% off tickets. https://londonhorseshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s Free Rein Friday, and Pippa and Tristan are tackling the important questions in life, like if money, time and skill was no object, which horses from all disciplines would they have in their dream stable? Pippa gets candid about imposter syndrome and whether even an Olympic champion can sometimes wonder if they’re good enough, while there’s a vital update from the Funnell vegetable patch. Plus, Tristan adds “wildlife rescuer” to his CV after coming to the aid of a baby bird. Just your average Friday at Talk Horse. Horses, honesty, home-grown veg and a very small feathered guest. What more could you want from Free Rein Friday? Do send you questions below or drop us a line at info@talk-horse.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps are joined in the studio by European Young Rider Champion Rachel Proudley and top international showjumper, and her mentor and owner, Richard Howley, From fearlessly tackling 7ft Puissance walls to producing 5-star showjumpers, Rachel and Richard share an insider look into the high-stakes world of showjumping. They dive into Rachels non-horsey origins, the mental toughness required for big wall jumping, and what it really takes to build a successful career producing top talent at HK Horses. Have questions, anecdotes, or stories? Leave a comment below for a chance to have them featured on an upcoming Free Rein Friday episode or email info@talk-horse.com With thanks to the London International Horse Show. Use code TALKHORSE10 during August for 10% off tickets. https://londonhorseshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time for another Free Rein Friday – your bonus dose of Pippa and Tristan! ❤️ This week, the conversation turns to training outside the saddle, gym rivalries and why Tristan has sworn off Reformer Pilates after one unforgettable session. Plus we're answering more of your questions! And if you have one for Pippa and Tristan please drop us a line on info@talk-horse.com 🎧 New full episodes of Talk Horse every Wednesday, with Free Rein Fridays bringing you extra laughs and behind-the-scenes conversations every Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of our most requested guests joins us this week, as eventing royalty Mary King sits down with Pippa and Tristan in the studio. After an extraordinary 46 seasons at the top of the sport, Mary recently announced her retirement. She looks back on six Olympic Games, 13 championship medals and unforgettable victories at Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky. From a completely unhorsey background to the very top of her game, Mary never took the easy route. She reflects on competing while pregnant, returning after serious injury, producing a homebred five-star winner and supporting her daughter Emily’s own career. This is the remarkable story of one of eventing’s most admired and enduring stars. We’ll definitely need to get her back.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your new Friday tradition starts now! What better way to get you in the mood for a weekend of galloping, trotting and mucking out than Free Rein Fridays? Join Pippa and Tristan as they chew the fat, discuss the latest gossip and dole out their advice. It’s your chance to hear Pippa’s wisdom, Tristan’s jokes and get your burning questions answered. Email us on info@talk-horse.com or drop us a line on social media. The Talk Horse Podcast just got a weekend upgrade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we welcome the multitalented Ashleigh, or Ash, Wallace to the podcast. Her career spans over 20 years in elite sport, supporting athletes across seven Olympic cycles, and boy does she have some fabulous wisdom to impart. Whether you're an elite rider, a weekend trotter or anyone wanting to improve your health this is the episode for you! From representing South Africa in hockey to becoming an internationally renowned physiotherapist and, crucially for Talk Horse, former Head of Human Sports Science and Medicine at British Equestrian. She shares her unique perspective on why managing health is a complex problem that requires "collective wisdom" and interdependent teams. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join our Talk Horse community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you build an Olympic showjumping team from the ground up? In this episode of Talk Horse, Pippa Funnell is joined by UAE Olympians Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzouqi and Abdulla Mohd Al-Marri to discuss the incredible rise of showjumping in the United Arab Emirates. They reflect on their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, training under William Funnell, the horses that helped them reach the sport's biggest stage, and the ambition driving UAE equestrian sport forward. The conversation also explores the importance of strong foundations, developing young riders, balancing elite competition with family life, and why representing your country is about far more than results. It's an inspiring insight into one of the fastest-growing nations in international showjumping - and the people leading the charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Talk Horse mini episode recorded at Pippa's home and training facility in Surrey, Yoshiaki Oiwa (Yoshi) joins us to tell the story behind one of the most historic moments in Japanese horse sport. At Paris 2024, Yoshi helped Japan claim team eventing bronze, the country’s first Olympic equestrian medal in 92 years, while also finishing seventh individually. And he did it riding a horse Pippa knows better than most: MGH Grafton Street, her 2019 Burghley winner. Yoshi opens up about the road to Paris, the pressure of riding for Japan, taking on a proven five-star star, and what that medal meant back home. Plus, Pippa and Yoshi reflect on their shared connection to “Squirrel”, the highs and setbacks of a career at the top of eventing, and the extraordinary journey that took horse and rider to the podium at Versailles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've not listened to Part one of our extraordinary conversation between Mark Todd, Pippa and Tristan - go back and listen now. Today we dive deeper into the extraordinary career and legacy of one of eventing’s greatest ever riders. After stepping away from elite competition for eight years, Sir Mark returned to the sport and somehow found himself straight back on the Olympic stage - a remarkable comeback that perfectly captures the determination and resilience that defined his career. Mark reflects on how eventing has evolved, what separates great riders from the very best, and the incredible partnerships that make success possible at the highest level. The episode also explores the emotional side of equestrian sport - from the heartbreak of losing beloved horses to the responsibility riders carry in always putting horse welfare first. Drop us a line on info@talk-horse.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Widely regarded as one of the greatest event riders of all time, Sir Mark Todd’s career is the stuff of legend. In part one of this deep dive, we explore the journey of a man who crossed generations, broke records, and redefined the sport of eventing. From his harrowing first international experience at the 1978 World Championships in Kentucky, to his Badminton breakthrough. How a "shaggy little pony" he almost didn't ride became his greatest partner, leading to back-to-back individual Olympic Gold medals and his uncanny ability to hop on a strange horse and win at the highest level just days later. There was so much to cover, part two will follow next week! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and join our Talk Horse community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Royal Ascot week! So who else to guide Pippa and Tristan through the glory and glamour of the occasion that ones of the most successful jockeys of his generation, Jim Crowley. Born in the shadow of Ascot racecourse, Jim shares his remarkable journey from pony racing, to massive success jump racing to making the bold and ultimately triumphant switch to the flat. Jim opens up about the relentless drive required to become Champion Jockey in 2016 and the intricate tactics and "racecraft" behind flat racing. His recovery from a life-threatening fall at York and his determination to get back in the saddle and the pressure of riding for racing’s biggest stars, including the legendary Baaeed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jodie Hall McAteer has horses in her blood. Growing up in one of Britain's best-known showjumping families, she has gone from Pony European gold medallist to representing Great Britain on the world stage, becoming one of the country's most exciting young riders. Now a regular competitor on the Global Champions Tour and Nations Cup teams, Jodie has represented Great Britain at some of the biggest shows in the world and ridden alongside many of the sport's biggest names. In this episode, she joins Pippa and Tristan to discuss growing up in a horsey family, the reality of making a career in showjumping, and the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level. She also reflects on the horses that have shaped her career and the pressure of wearing the Team GB jacket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The only way we could get an interview with Carl Hester was by chasing him down in a miniature Land Rover. As podcast booking strategies go, it's surprisingly effective 😂 Olympic Champion Carl Hester joins Talk Horse for a special episode recorded at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Widely regarded as one of the greatest dressage riders of all time, Carl reflects on his extraordinary career, the setbacks he faced along the way, and why success doesn't always arrive on your own timeline. From winning his first major medal in his 40s to becoming one of Britain's most celebrated equestrians, Carl shares the mindset that helped him stay motivated through decades of competition. Along the way, he offers honest advice on patience, resilience, dealing with pressure and what it really takes to achieve long-term success. Recorded at Royal Windsor, this is a fascinating conversation with one of the sport's true greats. We can't wait to welcome Carl back to the Talk Horse studio for a full-length episode soon. Follow Talk Horse for new episodes every Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices