What happens when you take an off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) into the hunter ring and stop treating it like an “alternate” to a warmblood? In this episode of OTTB on Tap, Niamh flies solo for our first truly hunter/jumper-focused OTTB episode with Pennsylvania pro Madison Barnett of MB Equine (USEA event rider + hunter/jumper trainer) and standout junior rider Caden Nolt.

Madison breaks down why Thoroughbreds became the backbone of her program, what retraining her first OTTB taught her about horsemanship, and why OTTBs often “expect” riders to show up like professionals. We talk cross-training hunters with eventing (conditioning, bravery, brain engagement), why some Thoroughbreds thrive when the work stays interesting, and how that forward-thinking approach can create a more rideable, competitive hunter.

Caden shares what it’s like producing a Thoroughbred in the hunters as a junior—including riding Geo Lemon, his one-eyed Thoroughbred gelding, and navigating the (very real) bias against a one-eyed horse in hunter derbies. He also explains how eventing experience (including riding with William Fox-Pitt) has influenced his hunter style—especially when the fences get bigger, the turns get tighter, and the questions get scarier.

We also dig into the big-picture conversation: if we want OTTBs to be taken seriously in the performance hunter divisions, riders have to actually put them in the ring against warmbloods—and have them prepared to win. Madison and Caden share practical advice on starting OTTBs over fences, confirming lead changes (without over-schooling), and what they look for in a Thoroughbred prospect for hunters.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• OTTB retraining for hunters: what matters most early (and what doesn’t)
• Why Thoroughbreds can make riders better: faster thinking, full-picture horsemanship
• Cross-training hunters with eventing: conditioning, boldness, and keeping brains fresh
• One-eyed horse in the hunter ring: rules, perceptions, and how Geo Lemon proves people wrong
• The mindset shift: moving from Thoroughbred-only divisions to performance divisions
• Caden’s goals for Junior Hunter Finals + bringing along a new OTTB prospect

If you’re Googling things like “best OTTB for hunters,” “how to retrain an off-track Thoroughbred for hunter/jumper,” “OTTB lead changes,” “Thoroughbred hunter derby training,” or “can a one-eyed horse compete in hunters,” this conversation is for you.

Plus, Niamh shares a fascinating lesson on rider biomechanics using a mechanical horse.

In this first-ever OTTB on Tap Unscripted episode, we hit record with no outline and dive straight into an OTTB buyer reality check that every rider needs to hear.

We start with an honest conversation about rider self-evaluation and why choosing the right Off-Track Thoroughbred should begin with you, not the horse. From green horse readiness and riding confidence to time commitment, training support, barn environment, and major life changes, we break down the questions that matter most before you shop. If you have ever been tempted by the flashiest or hardest horse in the barn, this episode explains why there is truly no prize for choosing the harder horse.

From there, the conversation expands on biomechanics as Niamh walks through her experience riding a mechanical horse equipped with sensors that track balance, symmetry, and position. The lesson highlights how subtle physical habits affect real horses and why self-awareness in the saddle is a critical part of being a responsible OTTB owner and rider.

This episode launches our new Unscripted series, where we trade formal outlines for candid, off-the-cuff conversations about OTTBs, riding, and the realities of horse ownership. It is a Patreon-exclusive episode for both paid tiers, and we are also releasing it on our public feed as a preview of the extra content available on Patreon. Check us out (you can join as a free member): https://www.patreon.com/OTTBOnTap

How a Fake Horse Can Help You Ride a Real One: https://tinyurl.com/RideAFakeHorse

After a season of intense growth, big goals, and even bigger emotions, OTTB on Tap is back for Season 3.

In this return episode, Niamh and Emily come up for air and reflect honestly on burnout, boundaries, and what it really looks like to fully commit to something and then choose a new way forward.

Inspired by a quote from Matthew McConaughey about the clarity that comes from fully committing instead of living in the limbo of a half-assed effort, and a reminder from Taylor Swift that energy is expensive, this episode sets the tone for a more grounded chapter for the podcast and for life with off-track Thoroughbreds.

We reflect on the emotional and mental load of 2025, including the aftermath of the Retired Racehorse Project Makeover, and talk openly about equestrian burnout, OTTB identity beyond competition, and what sustainable progress really looks like for horses and humans alike. This conversation centers on non-linear OTTB journeys, rest without guilt, and redefining success in the OTTB retraining world.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 and Standout Episodes

We also dive into our Spotify Wrapped 2025 data, celebrating just how much OTTB on Tap grew this past year and what that growth has meant to us and the community.

We each share our most memorable episodes:

Niamh’s picks

• S2 E27, Ramon Moya
• S2 E16, Recycled Racehorse Falconry
• S2 E24, Ali Kuhn & Little Hail

Emily’s picks

• S2 E7 & 8, Tom & Clare Mansmann
• S2 E20 & 21, Aubrey Graham
• S2 E31 & 32, Shannon Riley

Honorable mentions, because we truly love every episode, include Trotty by Nature, Turning For Home, Pastured Place, and our RRP Chronicles trainers Amanda Chance, Harley Whittaker, Stephanie Parkot, and Chelsey O’Brien.

Looking Ahead to 2026, The Year of the Horse

We frame 2026 as the Year of the Horse, a season focused on intentional movement, partnership, and forward motion that feels right rather than constant output. We also share how OTTB on Tap is evolving in Season 3, with more conversational episodes, listener involvement, and space for honest conversations about balance, mental health, and life after big goals.

This episode is for anyone navigating life after the RRP, questioning hustle culture in horse sport, or learning how to stay connected to their OTTB and themselves without burning out.

Listener Giveaway! Win an “Easily Distracted by OTTBs” T-Shirt

We are giving away three OTTB on Tap “Easily Distracted by OTTBs” t-shirts, one winner for each prompt below.

To enter, respond to one or more prompts by:

• Leaving a comment on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or
• Commenting on the episode post on social media

Listener Prompts

1. Year of the Snake: If the Year of the Snake is about shedding skin, what are you no longer carrying into the next season?
2. Year of the Horse: If 2026 is about movement that feels right, where would you go first?
3. One Word Check-In: One word to describe 2025 and one word you are carrying into 2026.

Important If you comment on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, please email us at ottbontap@gmail.com to let us know you entered and include your display name or a screenshot. Podcast platforms are often anonymous, and we want to be able to contact you if you win.

1 winner will be selected per prompt.

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In this RRP Trainer Chronicles update from OTTB on Tap, we sit down again with dressage trainer Harley Whittaker of HW Dressage in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania to hear the latest on her 2025 RRP Makeover partner, Juancho (“Jack”). Harley shares the ups and downs of Jack’s first dressage show experience, why she’s choosing to keep him in dressage as his primary discipline, and what kind of home she sees for him after the Makeover.

Beyond Jack’s journey, Harley gives us an inside look at her training business, the horses currently in her barn, and even a recent appearance she made on JJ Tate’s podcast. She offers a practical training tip for green horses and OTTBs—breaking down how she adjusts her approach between Jack, a Thoroughbred gelding, and Navy, a young warmblood mare.

We also dive into Harley’s passion for rider fitness, exploring how her six-day-a-week gym routine translates into better feel, empathy, and effectiveness in the saddle. Harley explains how fitness outside the barn supports her students too, and shares advice for riders looking to get started on their own programs.

With the Makeover countdown on, Harley reflects on the biggest lesson Jack has taught her (“expect the unexpected”) and looks ahead to more off-property practice before they head to Kentucky.

Whether you’re an OTTB owner, dressage enthusiast, or rider wanting to balance horse training with personal fitness, this conversation with Harley is packed with insights and inspiration.

In this installment of RRP Trainer Chronicles, an OTTB on Tap Original Series, we catch up with returning trainer Chelsey O’Brien as her 2025 RRP Makeover journey takes shape. This year, Chelsey is retraining two very different OTTBs—each with their own story and style.

✨ Peppy (JC name: The Pepsodent Show) has stepped into the hunter ring, showing the elegance Thoroughbreds can bring to the discipline. His second Makeover division is still undecided, but one thing is certain—he’ll be available for adoption through Pastured Place after the competition, ready to shine in a new home. ✨ Fuzzy Wuzzy, her fiery mare “built like a French Bulldog,” is tackling barrels and ranch work—proving that OTTBs can excel in Western arenas just as much as English ones.

Chelsey opens up about how she decided which disciplines fit each horse, the obstacles they’ve faced along the way, and how she balances her roles as a trainer, breeder, and mom. She also takes us behind the scenes at the Virginia Thoroughbred Association Yearling Futurity, where she proudly presented homebred colts and fillies just a year after foaling them out.

With her philosophy of striving to be 1% better every day, and her belief that training is an art form, Chelsey shares one of her go-to OTTB training tips that listeners can put into practice.

If you love stories of OTTB versatility, retraining insights, and the heart behind the Retired Racehorse Project Makeover, this episode is a must-listen.

We’re back with Stephanie Parkot for round two of her RRP Trainer Chronicles journey—and wow, what a summer she and her OTTB Sterling Honor (by Honor Code, from New Vocations) have had. From tackling a Mounted Police Clinic with her son to braving the atmosphere of the Erie County Fair Hunter/Jumper Show, Stephanie shares the highs, the challenges, and the big takeaways as she and Sterling prepare for the 2025 RRP Makeover.

Noise sensitivity, buddy sour moments, show-ring chaos—Sterling has tested her patience in all the classic OTTB retraining ways. But he’s also shown just how much heart Thoroughbreds bring when given a chance. Stephanie breaks down what’s working, from earplugs to confidence-building hacks, and why figuring out her horse’s “comfort zone” has been such a game-changer.

And remember that mounting block dance from her first episode? That’s now a success story. Stephanie walks us through how she taught Sterling to stand still for mounting—a small detail with huge safety implications for any OTTB rider.

As always, Stephanie keeps it real about balancing family life, motherhood, and horse training, sharing how a supportive husband, a training log, and even a backyard-built water obstacle are helping her get ready for Kentucky. With her trademark “flexible consistency” and a clear focus on progress over perfection, she’s proof that the road to the Makeover is just as rewarding as the event itself.

Photo by Megan Pattern

In Part 2 of our candid conversation with Shannon Riley of Infinity Sport Horse, we go beyond the arena to talk about the challenges many riders face but few openly discuss—body image, online criticism, and the mental health toll of working in the equestrian world. Shannon shares what led her to speak out, how she’s learned to protect her peace, and why creating a healthier, more inclusive space matters for the next generation of professionals.

But it’s not all heavy—Shannon also dives into her practical approach to retraining Off-Track Thoroughbreds. She shares how she transitions OTTBs from track to sport, her go-to groundwork and under-saddle exercises, and how she gauges a horse’s potential as a confidence-builder or upper-level competitor. Whether you’re a rider, trainer, or OTTB fan, her tips are grounded, real-world, and designed to meet horses where they are.

We also explore what mentorship looks like in her program and why she believes her greatest success stories are the riders she’s helped launch into their own careers.

If you’ve ever struggled with confidence in the saddle—or wanted to build a barn culture that values growth over perfection—this episode is for you.

👉 Missed Part 1? Be sure to go back and listen to S2 E31, where Shannon shares her early journey with OTTBs, how she built Infinity Sport Horse, and the personal turning points that shaped her career.

Photo Credit: Liz Crawley Photography 2025

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we sit down with Shannon Riley of Infinity Sport Horse for Part 1 of a powerful two-part conversation. Based in Aiken, South Carolina, Shannon is a professional eventer, OTTB trainer, and resale specialist known for her thoughtful, honest approach to developing sporthorse prospects.

Shannon shares how her early love of horses—and her first Thoroughbred—set her on a path that would eventually lead to the founding of her training and sales business. From formative experiences with mentors and milestone competitions to the devastating personal loss that pushed her to rebuild her life in Aiken, Shannon reflects on the moments that shaped her as a rider and horsewoman.

She also opens up about her early struggles with imposter syndrome—something both Niamh and Emily can relate to—and the advice she’d give to anyone battling self-doubt while building a career in horses.

We explore Shannon’s deep connection to Off-Track Thoroughbreds: why she’s drawn to retraining OTTBs, what makes them such versatile athletes, and how she evaluates prospects for resale or upper-level competition. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at how she runs Infinity Sport Horse and what green flags she looks for when selecting a Thoroughbred for sport.

Whether you’re a first-time OTTB owner, a resale-focused rider, or someone building a training program from the ground up, this episode offers inspiration, real talk, and actionable insight.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where Shannon opens up about rider fitness, body image, online criticism, and how she’s mentoring the next generation of equestrian professionals.

Photo Credit: Liz Crawley Photography 2024