In Stride

This Week on In Stride 
Sinead Halpin-Maynard sits down with Amber Marshall to explore the surprising parallels between horsemanship and acting, and what it looks like when a teenage English rider finds her true home in Alberta's cowboy culture.

Meet the Guest: Amber Marshall 
Amber Marshall is best known for her role as Amy Fleming in Heartland, CBC's beloved drama and Canada's longest-running one-hour scripted drama, now in its 19th season. Born and raised in London, Ontario, Amber began riding at age five and started pursuing acting in theatre at eight. As a teenager, she moved to Alberta to film the pilot of Heartland and never looked back. Today, she lives on a hobby farm outside of Calgary with her husband. She is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, with a focus on fostering and spay/neuter initiatives.

In This Episode, Sinead and Amber Discuss:
How growing up as an English rider and transitioning into Western and cowboy culture shaped both her identity and her character of Amy Fleming over 19 seasons
The unexpected overlap between acting and horsemanship and why the subtle body language you learn with horses translates directly to compelling performance on screen
The behind-the-scenes reality of working with horses on a TV set, from casting and sourcing animals to the concept of "actor action" (creating the illusion of training without actually training)
What working ranch horses taught her about partnership, trust, and the true meaning of a horse with a job

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.

Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:
Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts
Exclusive podcast episodes
Dressage test prep resources
A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com

This Week on In Stride
Sinead Halpin-Maynard sits down with Boyd Martin for a candid conversation about the mindset, resilience, and relentless drive behind a career at the top of international eventing.

Meet the Guest: Boyd Martin
Boyd Martin is an Australian-born event rider who competes for the United States at the highest levels of the sport. A four-time Olympian, he has represented the U.S. at London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. At the 5* level, Boyd has won the Kentucky Three-Day Event twice and captured the inaugural Maryland 5 Star in 2021. In 2025, he reached FEI World No. 1, the first American event rider to hold the top ranking in 21 years.

In This Episode, Sinead and Boyd Discuss:
The evolution of Boyd’s “champion’s mindset” and balancing authenticity with public persona on social media
Navigating setbacks, from injuries and disappointment to tough business decisions and shifting priorities
The importance of building and leading a strong support team at every level of the sport
How to foster mental strength, embrace pressure, and find joy in the day-to-day journey

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.
-  Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:
Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts
Exclusive podcast episodes
Dressage test prep resources
A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com

Looking for More?

Join Boyd Martin and Natalie Hummel on May 21 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET for a free live Mid-Season Reset Webinar designed to help riders break out of pressure patterns, reset mentally and emotionally, and regain confidence before the rest of the season slips away. This powerful conversation will give athletes practical tools to navigate setbacks, recover faster after mistakes, and perform under pressure.

Register here: https://championscode.us/live

This Week on In Stride
Sinead Halpin-Maynard welcomes Sarah Segal to talk about her unconventional journey from New York City to the international show jumping stage, the realities of chasing opportunities in a competitive sport, and the joy found in deep partnerships with remarkable horses.

Meet the Guest: Sarah Segal
Sarah Segal is an accomplished international show jumper who has represented the United States in international Nations Cup competitions, including the Longines League of Nations Abu Dhabi CSIO5*. A Princeton University graduate, she has earned top results at the CSI3*, CSI5*, and Grand Prix levels throughout her career, including team gold at the North American Young Rider Championships. In addition to her competitive success, Segal has spent many years riding and training alongside Olympic medalist Chris Kappler at Chris Kappler Inc.

In This Episode, Sinead and Sarah Discuss:
• Navigating the path from passionate horse-crazy kid in the city to Nations Cup competitor
• The logistics, stress, and excitement behind transporting horses across continents (from Miami to Abu Dhabi)
• The value of building a supportive, collaborative barn culture and prioritizing top-quality horse care
• Choosing substance over social media, focusing on meaningful routines, and creating opportunities at every level of the sport

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.
-  Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. 

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:
- Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts
- Exclusive podcast episodes
- Dressage test prep resources
- A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com

Ride iQ is currently offering a special Kentucky Legacy Rate - a 20% lifetime discount on membership, available for one week only. Use code LEGACY at Ride-iQ.com to lock in your savings for as long as you remain a member.

This Week on In Stride
Sinead Halpin-Maynard sits down with Chris Irwin for an in-depth exploration of authentic horsemanship, the science behind equine connection, and the courage to question longstanding traditions in the horse world.

Meet the Guest: Chris Irwin
Chris Irwin is a renowned horseman, trainer, clinician, and author known for his innovative and compassionate approach to horsemanship. As the creator of the Mind Your Horse Method, he blends principles of psychology, communication, and equine behavior. Chris has worked with riders and trainers around the world, earning a reputation for transforming challenging horses and creating lasting change through improved understanding and trust. Through his online courses, live clinics, and educational programs, he provides riders with practical tools to develop feel, emotional awareness, and clear communication.

In This Episode, Sinead and Chris Discuss:
• Chris’s foundational “push, block, draw” framework for communicating with horses
• Why mastering the subtle nuances of posture, intention, and presence can profoundly transform horse-human relationships
• How recognizing trauma in horses can lead to genuine rehabilitation and trust
• Stories from Chris’s decades-long journey from wild mustangs to international clinics
• Strategies for integrating empathy, ethics, and personal growth into riding

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.
-  Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. 

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:
- Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts
- Exclusive podcast episodes
- Dressage test prep resources
- A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com

This Week on In Stride
Sinead Halpin-Maynard welcomes top event rider Karen O’Neal for an honest conversation about perseverance, chasing big dreams at any age, and building a life around horses.

Meet the Guest: Karen O’Neal

Karen O’Neal is an accomplished event rider, trainer, and coach with well over 100 first-place victories in national and international eventing and show jumping competitions. She is a widely recognized competitor and a USEA ICP Level IV Certified instructor, known for her ability to develop both horses and riders through the levels. Through her training program, Karen focuses on producing confident, competitive horses while helping riders build strong fundamentals, effective communication, and long-term success in the sport.

In This Episode, Sinead and Karen Discuss:
Karen’s journey to her first Kentucky 5* at age 55, including early days riding, balancing horses with motherhood, and building her training business across the West Coast
The unexpected rise of Clooney, a quirky young horse who gradually revealed his potential for the upper levels, and the power of choosing horses by intuition rather than pedigree
What it takes to continue riding and competing at the highest level later in life, from embracing constant learning and coaching to prioritizing fitness and health
Advice for riders whose paths aren’t linear, why it’s never too late to reach a dream, and the importance of community, adaptability, and finding fulfillment in the everyday journey with horses

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.
-  Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. 

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:
- Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts
- Exclusive podcast episodes
- Dressage test prep resources
- A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com 

Looking for More?

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving?  Dr. Erica Lacher’s Horse Health Essentials eight-part program is available now.
-  Save 35% with code POD35 at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Ask An Expert is your go-to podcast for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian professionals. 
-  Listen anywhere: https://pod.link/1776969830