“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we welcome not just one, but two names from the eventing scene to the podcast! Fresh off the heels of several major events across the globe, this episode highlights performances, preparation, and progression, all while pulling back the curtain on how mental and emotional development are essential tools for both rider and horse.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 9?

Host Sally Spickard sits down with 5* rider Hannah Sue Hollberg and High Performance Coach Natalie Hummel for a wide-ranging discussion that bridges elite competition with emotional intelligence, personal healing, and the evolving role of coaching in equestrian sport. Natalie shares insights from her work in performance coaching, including how athletes can develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and radical responsibility, while Hannah reflects on the lessons learned from competition and how her own evolution has deepened her partnership with horses. This episode is a deep dive into the soul of the sport — a reminder that while the fences may be big, the real breakthroughs often happen in the quiet, unspoken moments of reflection and connection.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

• 02:00 - News & Notes: Reviewing the MARS Bromont, Defender Bramham, & Melbourne International 4*-Ls

Sally and Hannah review Bromont and its status as a critical benchmark for riders moving up to the 5* level, Bramham's position as a staple to identify rising talent in the UK, and the thrilling finale at the Melbourne International Three-Day Event. They also discuss Lauren Nicholson's recent wins and Team USA's preparation for the high-stakes competitions to come as we finish out the second half of the year.

• 22:14 - One Big Thing: Mental Health & Space and Its Application in our Horse Lives

Natalie Hummel takes us on an educational journey of the power of emotional regulation, healing in and out of the saddle, and why a non-judgmental, curiosity-driven approach helps both riders and horses thrive. As a student of Natalie's, Hannah Sue offers insight as to how this approach has personally helped her move from a state of reaction to a state of balance, and how Natalie's journey has helped athletes of all levels look inward to unlock their performance goals, transform their behavior, and take ownership of their role as a rider.

[How to Heal - Early Bird Pricing (over $700 off!)]

[How to Perform - Early Bird Pricing (over $700 off!)]

• 01:33:30 - You Ask, We Answer: Future Dressage Fashion, Rhinos on Course, and Hannah’s Treat Training

What new rule would you add to eventing if you could choose? Learn what Hannah's would be, and how she taught a particularly spooky horse to become acclimated to unusual cross-country obstacles!

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

• 01:46:50 - Finish Flags

Next up on Go Eventing, Sally fulfills a long-awaited check on her bucket list as she interviews the one and only Bettina Hoy! Stay tuned as they discuss the world talent that will grace CHIO Aachen in a few short weeks.

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

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