Shut Up and Ride

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of graphic injuries and animal suffering that some listeners may find upsetting.

This week on Shut Up and Ride, we’re joined by the wonderful Jill Barton, founder of Egypt Equine Aid, for an episode that, quite frankly, left us a little bit speechless.

Jill takes us behind the tourist photos and postcard views of the pyramids to talk about the reality facing many of the horses, donkeys, camels and working animals in Egypt — the injuries they see, the conditions these animals can endure, and the incredible work Egypt Equine Aid is doing to treat them, educate owners and try to create lasting change.

There are moments in this conversation that are really difficult to hear. Ben spends a fair amount of the episode with his jaw somewhere near the floor, and there were times when none of us really knew what to say.

But this is exactly why we wanted to make this episode.

Horse welfare has always mattered enormously to us at Shut Up and Ride, and sometimes that means having conversations that aren't comfortable. More importantly, it means asking what we can actually do to help.

So this episode is also a huge shout-out to you, our listeners. Please listen, share it, talk about it and, if you can, support the extraordinary work Jill and the team at Egypt Equine Aid are doing. Even a small contribution from this brilliant community could make a genuine difference.

It’s not our easiest episode. But it might be one of our most important. 

Improtant info

info@egyptequineaid

https://egyptequineaid.org/

https://www.facebook.com/eea.egypt

https://www.tiktok.com/@egyptequineaid

https://www.linkedin.com/company/egypt-equine-aid

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com/

 https://www.streamz-global.com/   Discount Code SHUTUP10

SHUT UP AND RIDE

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Content warning and introduction
(00:00:46) - Meet Jill Barton and Egypt Equine Aid
(00:03:56) - How the charity was founded and grew
(00:07:13) - Training vets and pushback from the community
(00:15:10) - Traditional harmful treatments and ignorance
(00:20:55) - Working horses vs tourist horses
(00:24:30) - Tourist industry, tour companies and exploitation
(00:29:38) - Common injuries and diseases seen
(00:32:33) - Rabies cases and the horror of the disease
(00:36:53) - The no-buy policy and preventing exploitation
(00:39:52) - Emotional toll and standing up to owners
(00:43:08) - Success stories and rescued horses
(00:45:54) - Laminitis and feeding practices
(00:47:15) - Comparing elite sport horses to working horses
(00:50:39) - Whipping abuse and cruelty at the pyramids
(00:53:42) - Longines Global Champions Tour coming to Cairo
(00:59:21) - Cycle of abuse around the pyramids
(01:01:14) - How listeners can help and donate
(01:06:02) - Equestrian bands and Matt shoutout
(01:07:17) - Final thoughts on ethical tourism and animals
(01:11:43) - Call for volunteer vets, farriers and dentists
(01:12:53) - Closing remarks and thanks

Simon Grieve is back from Burghley — so it’s time for the full debrief.

From a disappointing dressage test to yet another brilliant clear cross-country round, Simon talks us through the highs, the lows and what it really feels like to ride around one of the biggest five-star tracks in the world.

We get into the pressure of Burghley, what went right, what didn’t, and how you pick yourself up when the weekend doesn’t quite start the way you hoped.

And then, because this is Shut Up and Ride, the conversation somehow ends up with Simon revealing the best underwear to ride in.

Serious five-star eventing analysis. Questionable underwear chat. Standard Shut Up and Ride.

AD - https://www.animalfriends.co.uk 

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Animal Friends Pet Insurance Sponsor Message
(00:01:40) - Intro and Charles Owen Shoutout
(00:02:51) - Listener Message and Simon's Underwear Choices
(00:04:52) - Aussie Accents and Banter
(00:06:22) - Burghley Buildup and Expectations
(00:09:57) - Arriving at Burghley and Pre-Event Rituals
(00:12:38) - Trot Up and Dressage Preparation
(00:14:55) - Dressage Day Disappointment
(00:17:00) - Dealing with Self-Doubt After Dressage
(00:18:57) - Course Walking with Izzy Taylor and Chris Bartle
(00:21:35) - Legends Night and Pre-Cross Country Evening
(00:23:32) - Cross Country Day Begins - Wasp Sting Drama
(00:26:47) - Cross Country Round: Early Fences
(00:29:40) - Cross Country Round: Middle Course Challenges
(00:35:31) - Cross Country Round: Defender Valley and Leaf Pit
(00:39:17) - Finishing the Cross Country and Recovery
(00:40:51) - Post-Cross Country Care and Commentary Duties
(00:42:16) - Tina Cook Story and Commentary Praise
(00:44:35) - Show Jumping Day and Crowd Celebration
(00:47:39) - Final Placing and Dressage Improvement Plans
(00:49:52) - Reflections on Burghley and Buster's Performance
(00:52:04) - Commentary Style and Sport Understanding
(00:54:30) - Future Plans and Financial Realities of Eventing
(00:56:32) - Spruce Meadows Stories and Horse Ownership Stakes
(00:59:41) - Blake Shelton Concert and Spruce Meadows Fun
(01:01:51) - Show Jumping Family Stories - Whitakers and Philippaerts
(01:03:38) - Celebrating Gemma Stevens' Burghley Win
(01:06:08) - What's Annoyed You This Week
(01:10:58) - Reflections on Horsemanship and Closing Thoughts
(01:12:54) - Upcoming Events and Ben Maher's Incredible Win

This week, Jenny and Ben are joined by five-star eventer, Mustang trainer and exceptional horsewoman Elisa Wallace — and wow, what an episode.

From training Mustangs and building relationships with horses others might overlook, to competing at the very top of eventing, Elisa’s career has always put horsemanship at the heart of everything she does.

But this conversation also goes somewhere much deeper.

Elisa talks openly about her fall at the final fence at Badminton — and the brutal social-media backlash that followed, including death threats. She is truthful, vulnerable and wonderfully honest about what that experience did to her, what she learned from it, and how you keep going when suddenly everyone has an opinion.

At the heart of the episode is a question we keep coming back to:

When you’re competing at the very top, which hat wins — the horseman or the competitor?

Expect tears, some incredible insights and Ben at possibly his happiest — talking horses with another person who truly thinks like a horseman.

Elisa is thoughtful, refreshingly honest and a fierce advocate for the horse. This is a conversation about competition, pressure, mistakes, social media and what putting the horse first really looks like.

Is this what the horse world needs to learn?

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Sponsor: British Eventing's Be Prepared Initiative
(00:01:13) - Introduction and Welcoming Elisa Wallace
(00:03:27) - Elisa's Background and Road to the Horse
(00:04:38) - Discovering Mustangs and Fledge's Story
(00:10:01) - Mustang Training and Wild Horse Realities
(00:17:12) - Mirroring, Energy, and Connecting with Horses
(00:22:36) - Building Trust and Managing Frustration in Horses
(00:25:19) - Mental Focus, Mistakes, and Show Pressures
(00:29:25) - Position, Teaching, and Groundwork Philosophy
(00:33:13) - Comparing Training Styles and Enjoying the Process
(00:35:44) - The Badminton Afib Incident and Its Aftermath
(00:45:40) - Rebuilding Trust After Trauma
(00:50:43) - Horses Finding Their Right Jobs
(01:00:55) - Bridleless Riding and Testing Communication
(01:07:47) - Classical Horsemanship and Testing Yourself
(01:12:21) - Quick Fire Questions
(01:18:08) - Dealing with Online Trolls and Criticism
(01:23:51) - Closing Thoughts and Farewell

This one goes off the rails a bit… but, quite frankly, that’s what we do best.

Think honest, unfiltered chat down the pub with your mates — horses, life, opinions, tangents and absolutely no idea where the conversation is going next.

We start with the bridleless display at the Aachen Opening Ceremony. Seeing bridleless riding showcased on one of the biggest stages in equestrian sport feels significant — but is it? Is this a sign that attitudes really are changing in the horse world, and are we starting to rethink what good riding and horsemanship can look like?

From there, things take a turn.

Following the sad news of Dolly Parton’s death, we talk about Dolly, her extraordinary life and why certain people seem to mean so much to so many of us. That leads us somewhere we perhaps weren’t expecting, as Ben talks openly about his faith and we get into one of those very honest conversations about life, beliefs and the things that shape who we are.

Then, somehow, we're back to horses.

We discover just how different our coaching styles are, what makes a good coach, what makes a good pupil and whether the person with the most talent is necessarily the person you most want to teach.

And then it’s over to you.

We answer the questions you sent us on social media. 

It’s candid, funny, occasionally serious and mostly chaotic.

Basically, it’s Shut Up and Ride doing what Shut Up and Ride does best.

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - British Eventing's new initiative, Be Prepared
(00:01:15) - Shut Up & Ride
(00:02:45) - My Back's Falling Off
(00:05:32) - Dolly Parton Dances In The Pool
(00:08:52) - Jessie On Dolly Parton's Death
(00:10:08) - Jesus On A Mission In Heaven
(00:12:23) - Adam on His Religion
(00:15:58) - I'd like to meet my grandfather
(00:17:47) - Bridle Elimination at the World Equestrian Championships
(00:22:46) - Simon on teaching kids to ride with spurs
(00:28:15) - How to Improve Your Seat on a Horse
(00:29:58) - Simon On Liberty: I Tell People To FUCK OFF In A Training
(00:33:59) - The Woman Who Kicked Me Out Of Baby Yoga
(00:36:12) - What Makes The Perfect Client?
(00:37:48) - How to get a Horse to Like You
(00:40:06) - Peter Andre on Teaching People to Ride
(00:44:43) - Riding a Horse
(00:45:59) - What's The Most Scary Moment You've Ever Been On A
(00:51:00) - Chewie the Dog's First Birthday
(00:51:18) - The Truth About Crying On The Horse
(00:52:51) - Tommy on His First Horse
(00:56:21) - I'd like to do 5 Star for a day
(00:57:57) - Why did Jenny move to Canada?
(00:58:51) - What would you suggest doing for a horse that naps on the
(01:03:10) - A Patreon for Equestrian Fans
(01:05:20) - Favorite breed of horse
(01:06:00) - Any tips for hard ground?
(01:06:57) - Simon Rants About Rain On A Tent In Rural France
(01:09:50) - Simon on the Dressage Test
(01:11:17) - What Annoys Me Most About Pooing In Sinks
(01:12:59) - "You're supposed to give way to the other driver"
(01:14:49) - Simon on the
(01:16:48) - Shut Up And Ride: The Politics Podcast

What’s the difference between being a great rider and being a true horseman?

This week, Canadian show jumper Ben Asselin joins Jenny, Simon and Ben to talk horsemanship, the lessons he’s learned competing at the highest level and why understanding the horse has to go far beyond what happens in the ring.

Ben also takes us inside Spruce Meadows — the iconic venue founded by his grandparents, Ron and Marg Southern — and explains what makes it such a special place for horses, riders and fans of the sport.

Plus, we go behind the scenes of FAULTLESS, the new six-part show jumping documentary series that essentially gives show jumping the Drive to Survive treatment.  Produced in partnership with Rolex, which Ben co-executive produced alongside his brother Kyle.

From what makes a true horseman to one of the greatest venues in the sport and a new series taking show jumping to a global audience — this is a brilliant conversation with someone who has spent his life immersed in the sport.

Faultless

New episodes when ever we have time. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation!

Watch the whole shut up and ride tour here on vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/suartour26

CONTACT US : shutupandridepodcast@gmail.com

FOLLOW US : Instagram

This Podcast is sponsored by Charles Owen - https://www.charlesowen.com

Pod merch found  - https://superxcountry.co.uk/

Want to find out more - check out BE Prepared it's free - https://beprepared.britisheventing.com/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - British Eventing's new initiative, Be Prepared
(00:01:13) - Stepping Up Ride
(00:02:56) - Flatland at Spruce Meadows
(00:07:50) - Simon Greave at the CPKC presented by Rolex
(00:13:09) - The Equine Eventing Experience at Hickstead
(00:16:08) - The Greatest Rider of All Time: Spruce Meadows
(00:22:51) - What Do Horses Have Teached You?
(00:24:56) - What Is The Difference Between A Horseman and A Good Rider?
(00:25:51) - What's the difference between a good horseman and a good rider
(00:32:58) - Richard Vogel on Being Hard On Himself
(00:33:57) - The Rolex Grand Slam of Jumping
(00:38:08) - How Hard It Is to Win a Horse Jumping Grand Prix
(00:42:53) - Ben Simon on Eventing
(00:44:52) - A drive for the horse
(00:45:30) - Faultless
(00:52:18) - The Rolex Grand Slam
(00:55:33) - The Story of Karl King in Horse & Cartel
(00:59:04) - How Did You Choose Your Riders?
(01:03:58) - Matt Hickstad in The Final Episode
(01:05:43) - Irish Dancing on Lorraine
(01:07:51) - What's Annoyed You This Week?
(01:08:41) - James McAvoy on His Favorite Horse
(01:11:48) - The Most Scared A Horse Has Ever Made You
(01:13:34) - Honor riding his daughter's horse
(01:14:45) - What Makes a Great Horseman?
(01:15:11) - Simon on the Hot Temper
(01:17:26) - Ben on Being Annoyed This Week
(01:20:34) - Faultless