Talk Horse

Best known as the creator behind Life on the Left Rein social channels, Tina has built a loyal following by sharing the real, unfiltered side of grassroots eventing, the highs, the setbacks, and everything in between.

Tina opens up about getting her first horse until her mid-20s, and the financial and emotional reality of competing as an amateur. She reflects on her partnership with Banksy, the horse who changed everything, from breakthrough wins to building the kind of trust that gets you back in the saddle when confidence takes a hit.

From appearing on Horse & Country TV’s All Star Academy, which sparked the growth of her YouTube channel and turned a hobby into a full-time career.

With Badminton Grassroots 2026 on the horizon Tina shares the tougher side too. From a serious fall that knocked her confidence, to navigating self-doubt, switching between horses, and the pressure of documenting it all online. She also speaks candidly about her breast reduction surgery, how it impacted both her daily life and riding, and the long road back into the saddle.

Plus - do come and join us for live Talk Horse at Royal Windsor Horse Show. We'd love to meet you all!

Code TALKHORSE for money off tickets on the Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
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This week on Talk Horse, Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps are joined by one of the most recognisable faces in modern equestrian media, Esme Higgs, better known online as This Esme.

Starting out as a young rider sharing her horsey life on YouTube, Esme has grown her channel into one of the biggest equestrian platforms in the world, reaching millions of viewers across more than 170 countries. But behind the glossy videos is a serious horsewoman with a deep passion for horse welfare, training, and bringing new audiences into the sport.

Esme joins Pippa and Tristan to talk about growing up in an “unhorsey” family, how a simple YouTube channel turned into a global career and the realities of balancing content creation with riding.

Plus a couple of big announcements for the upcoming Royal Windsor Horse show. Use the code TALKHORSE for 20% off tickets for the Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

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Dressage rider Sadie Smith joins Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps on this week’s Talk Horse to talk about life inside one of equestrian sport’s most precise and demanding disciplines.

Sadie became British Dressage National Champion at Grand Prix level in 2025, made her World Cup debut at the London International Horse Show, and was shortlisted for the FEI European Dressage Championships. Known for her sympathetic training style and ability to produce horses through the levels, she’s quickly established herself among the UK’s top riders.

Sadie talks about her incredible partnership with Swanmore Dantina, the horse that helped take her to the top, as well as her journey producing horses from young prospects to Grand Prix performers. She also reflects on her time working with Carl Hester, gaining experience around legendary horses like Valegro, and riding professionally in the Netherlands.

Do share your horsey stories with us [email protected]
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From Peckham to Goodwood… this is a story that changed British racing.

Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps sit down with Khadijah Mellah, the trailblazing jockey who stunned the racing world when she won the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood in 2019. The first hijab-wearing jockey to ride in a competitive horse race in Britain, let alone win.

Growing up in Peckham with no racing background, Khadijah’s journey into the saddle took off at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and quickly became one of the most inspiring stories in British sport.

She talks about learning to ride as a teenager, the whirlwind of going from riding school to one of racing’s most famous tracks, and the pressure of competing in front of a global audience. Khadijah also reflects on what that historic win meant for diversity in racing and how horses changed the direction of her life.

Plus, it’s that time of year again… Pippa and Tristan gear up for the biggest race in the calendar - the Grand National!

We love hearing from you, so drop us a line on [email protected]
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What does it take to build an Olympic medal-winning eventing team and keep horses performing at the very highest level?

This week on Talk Horse, we’re joined by one of the most respected figures in the equine world - Yogi Breisner. From competing at the Olympics himself to leading the British Eventing Team through four consecutive Games as Team Performance Manager, Yogi has shaped some of the biggest moments in modern equestrian history.

Over 17 years he helped deliver four Olympic team medals, multiple European titles, and a World Championship win transforming Britain into a dominant force on the global stage. But it all could have been so different were it not for a postal strike… Listen now to hear the full incredible story. 

Plus, Pippa turns her attention to Thoresby Park, a crucial qualifier for Badminton and Tristan reveals a rather shocking truth for a horse podcast presenter. 

We love hearing from you, so drop us a line on [email protected]

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