Season One of Dear Horse World has been nothing short of transformative. In this special finale, Noëlle Floyd revisits the conversations that cracked open our understanding of what it means to be in true partnership with horses—and with ourselves.

From Jochen Schleese revealing how saddle fit can numb a horse’s body, to Nikki Simpson dismantling the “pose” in favor of authentic effectiveness in the saddle, to Anne Kursinski reminding us that patience and repetition are the real keys to mastery—each guest has left an indelible mark. We’ll hear from Mark Rashid about the weathered cowboy who unknowingly set him on his path, from Cristóbal Scarpati reading a colt’s plea to be trained with kindness, and from Dr. Steve Peters on the neuroscience of curiosity, learning, and flow.

Some moments are raw, like Jerri Scherff’s story of confronting horse abuse at a barrel race. Others are poetic, like William Fox-Pitt’s reflections on congruency, or Nick Dowers on the power of presence. Together, they weave a tapestry that shows just how deeply interconnected our horsemanship, values, and humanity really are.

This season was born from a mission: to unite the horse world through conversation. Along the way, it has transformed Noëlle—heart, mind, and soul. The hope is that somewhere in these voices, every listener will hear a piece of their own story, and leave with a sense that the messy middle we all occupy is where transformation begins.

Join Noëlle in revisiting the moments you voted as your favorites, alongside a few that shaped her forever.

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If these conversations inspired you, you’ll find even more at noellefloydplus.com—our learning community for riders who want to deepen their horsemanship, connect across disciplines, and grow alongside world-class trainers. Explore courses, resources, and tools designed to bring the wisdom of Dear Horse World into your everyday riding.

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This episode is brought to you by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc.

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.

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Matt Brown has ridden at the top of the sport. But when he watched a replay of one of his proudest rounds, he didn’t see a confident partnership—he saw a horse responding to pressure, not trust. That moment changed everything.

In this episode, Matt joins us to talk about why he stopped carrying a whip in eventing competitions—and how that decision opened the door to something deeper: leadership, vulnerability, and the quiet reckoning that happens when tradition no longer aligns with who you want to be.

Matt names what so many riders feel but rarely say out loud, from internalized pressure to the shame of past mistakes to the fear of evolving in public.

You’ll walk away with:

• Language for the subtle forms of pressure that can go unnoticed in training

• A deeper understanding of how systemic norms shape personal choices

• Insight into what real partnership with a horse can look like, without force

• Encouragement to rethink tradition with nuance, empathy, and clarity

This is a conversation about the beliefs we absorb without knowing, the pressure we pass down without meaning to, and the kind of rider we become when we stop trying to prove we belong—and start listening instead.

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• 📸 Instagram: @eastwesttrainingstables
  
  

• 🌐 Website: www.eastwesttrainingstables.com
  
  

• 🐴 Training & Clinics: Learn more about Matt and Cecily’s coaching, clinics, and horses for sale at East West Training Stables
  
  

✍️ Read More: Explore Matt’s columns on The Chronicle of the Horse → Matt Brown on COTH

Trailer loading isn’t just about getting your horse from A to B—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it depends on trust, preparation, and practice.

In this episode of Dear Horse World, you’ll hear the first video from Tik Maynard’s Trailering 101 & Common Trailering Problems Masterclass on NF+. Tik explains why most “loading problems” are really relationship problems, how to set your horse up for success, and why rushing almost always backfires.

This is just one lesson from a 19-part, 3.5-hour masterclass, now updated with four rider case studies that show exactly how Tik works through common trailering struggles.

👉 Watch the full course on NF+ at and use code DHW for 15% off your annual membership.

Because a horse that loads quietly isn’t just convenient—it’s peace of mind.

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