Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Earn Your Spurs with Alyssa Barnes


Earn Your Spurs with Alyssa Barnes

webheadunleashAlyssa Barnes is a Montana cowgirl who has a mission to help you find your "Inner Cowboy".  She founded the Earn Your Spurs website to share all things cowboy and Western.  Earn Your Spurs has grown so much, Alyssa has branched out to podcasting.  The Earn Your Spurs podcast has had many great guests and is growing fast.  From movie stars like Alex Cord to magazine writer Lori O'Harver covering the National Finals Rodeo, the Earn Your Spurs podcast is entertaining and informative.  I particularly enjoyed the episode with rodeo clown JJ Harrison.  Growing up the daughter of a horse trainer, Alyssa was exposed to horses from an early age.  And, she has had an opportunity to meet many people in the horse world.  Her interview style is light and conversational, and with the long format of the Earn Your Spurs podcast, Alyssa is able to get some great stories out of her guests.

Earn Your SpursNow Alyssa is expanding the Earn Your Spurs podcast to add a new twist.  Her latest project is Cowboy Q & A.  If you have a question about cowboys, horses, fashion, really anything at all, you can ask your questions and Alyssa will provide you with the perfect answer.

The Earn Your Spurs podcast is available in iTunes and Stitcher and I hope you give it a listen.  I know you will enjoy it.

 

Contact Us

We have well over 70 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It's Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter - just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #043


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Working Equitation - Learning More


Contact Us

We have well over 70 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It's Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter - just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #040


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas Quickie


Just a Christmas Quickie

Advertise on the Whoa PodcastIt's the 22nd of December and you, like me are probably running around finishing up your Christmas chores and getting ready to relax and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.  I just wanted to take this opportunity to say "Thanks for Listening".  The Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship is one of the longest running, independently produced podcasts on iTunes and that's all because of you.  Nowadays, there are literally tens of thousands of podcasts out there - and a quite a few about horses - finding ours is not always the easiest, but you do.  You find and like our Facebook page and, those of you who tweet, follow me on Twitter. We are heard in over 60 different countries.  Thank you so very much.  I know you find this content helpful and I enjoy bringing it to you.

We've had a really good year.  If you started listening recently, you may not know that earlier this year we got to talk to the host of the Horse Show Rick Lamb. We've had many trainers on including Martin BlackJustin MundtCharles WilhelmDenny Watkins, and from the English world, Doug Payne.

We've traveled to events and covered the Horsemen's Re-Union in Paso Robles and the Vaquero Heritage Challenge, and the Bakersfield Campdraft.  We've shared our vacation to the home of Doc Bar, the Bar SZ Ranch.

We've talked about your horses' immune system and Cowboy Mounted Shooting, health products like the Porta-Grazer, and how to find a good roping horse.

We've shared your love of horses by talking about books with authors like Janet Barrett and her story of Reckless, a hero in the Korean War.  And, while it didn't go as I hoped, I got to interview someone I admire - Cowboy Poet Baxter Black.  And, we topped it off with a very candid interview with country music singer Chris Cagle - right from his tour bus no less.

I have had a great time travelling and finding stories you would enjoy.  And, I am very excited about 2015.  I have got a bunch of feelers out and podcasts in the works that I hope will really expand the appeal of the show.

We started the show more or less as a hobby three years ago to share our love of horses and horsemanship with you.  We wanted it from the perspective of the average horse owner.  Someone struggling to find time, confidence, skills, and knowledge that horse ownership requires.  Trying to find all that in a world that constantly places more and more pressure on that precious time.  As a matter of fact, you haven't heard from my wife Ranae all year. She has a full time job and trying to mesh her schedule, mine, and a prospective guest has not worked at all. When we do get time together we want to share it with our horses.  I know you understand.

That means, I write, edit, produce, find guests for the show - the chief cook and bottle washer.  I'm not complaining by any means - I love it.  But, I've got a great audience out there and I'd like to invite you to participate.  If you have a special skill, knowledge, or topic you think we should bring to a wider audience, please, please I invite you to contact me.  I would like to see the show build and reach an even wider audience.  You can find me by email at john@whoapodcast.com

So with that we end another year.  Thank you once again for allowing me to share the truly unique bond we share with these wonderful animals.  And, as you're sitting around the fire over the next few days, perhaps sipping something warm and toasty, know that we are wishing you, your family and horses the Merriest of Christmasas and prosperity and health in the coming year.  So, until next time, for Ranae, this is John Harrer saying, no matter how cold it may be out there, go have some fun with your horses.


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Long Rider Bernice Ende


Long Rider Bernice Ende

Long rider Bernice EndeWhen one of our listeners and No Worries Club member, Roberta Carr recommended I interview a long rider for the show I was not sure what she meant.  She told me little about long rider Bernice Ende and referred me to Bernice's website Ende of the Trail. Looking over her site I could see she had ridden a lot.  She started in 2005 and wasn't sure where it would go, but the first ride was 2,000 miles.  Can you imagine?  At age fifty she retired and decided it would be a good idea to pack up her horses and dog and head out across the country.  Faced with a number of challenges and many reasons to stop, she did not.  She kept riding.  After eleven years she has logged 25,000 miles.  Yes, that 25,000.  Now I know what a long rider is - Bernice Ende.

Bernice is wintering on the the East Coast.  She will resume her return long ride to Montana by going through Canada from coast-to-coast.  We caught up to her via Skype and she shared her experiences as a long rider.

Later in the show I offer a parting shot about the horses of the NFR and why they should get a little more recognition from CBS Sports.

Contact Us

We have well over 70 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It's Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter - just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #040


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Holiday Horse Gifts


Holiday Horse Gifts

holiday horse giftsOkay, you have got the person on your gift list that loves horses.  What do you get them?  Sure, they will always need a new brush or mane de-tangler, but why not get them something useful?  On today's show we take a look at some very useful gift ideas.

First, we have Rebecca Didier from Trafalgar Square Books and www.HorseandRiderBooks.com.  Rebecca offers five different books tailored for almost any rider.  The books are:

  1. The Art of Liberty Training for Horses
  2. How Good Riders Get Good
  3. Tex
  4. Building a Life Together—You and Your Horse
  5. The Riding Doctor

Each one of these books his rich in illustration and gives you information about how to be a better horseman and how to improve your riding.  For those cold winter months when you can't be out at the barn, you can still be working on your skills.

Holiday Horse GiftsDo you have someone looking for a little hardware?  Listen in as Ed Jessup from Case Cutlery joins us and talks a little horses and then tells us about the selection of Case pocket knives that would be perfect for anyone on your list.  Personally, I was fascinated when he was describing the Equestrian's Pocket Knife: a handy knife with a hoof pick tool built right into the knife.

Case has been making knives for over a hundred years.  They are still manufactured right here in the United States. This would be a gift that you could carry for many years to come.  Case also has a wide assortment of handles available in a bunch of colors.  Ed tells me they even make some pink ones.  Check them out.  Ed suggests that if you are looking online you may want to check out Shepards Hill Cutlery Online.

 

Contact Us

We have well over 70 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It's Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter - just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #039


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Chris Cagle Country Music and Horseman


Chris Cagle Country Music Singer and Horseman

Chris-Cagle-Back-In-The-Saddle-Album-Cover-CountryMusicRocks.net_If you know anything about our podcast, you know I'm a big Clinton Anderson fan. I have been for a long time. I watch, listen, and read most everything he produces. I also love music. I was a weekend DJ at a country music station back in the 80's. In looking for something a little different for the podcast, I remembered the episodes on RFD-TV that Clinton did with Chris Cagle. I thought Chris would make a great guest on the show.   Chris seemed to struggle with many of the challenges of learning about horsemanship as you or I.  He is a regular guy.  He entertains thousands of people for a living.

Of course, I really didn't think a big country music singer like Chris Cagle would have time for our podcast, but I looked up Chris' agent and fired off an email. They were very nice and said they would forward my request to Chris. About a week later, I got an email from Chris' road manager looking to arrange the interview. As luck would have it, Chris was playing in my hometown of Bakersfield at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace.  I asked if we could do something in person because the sound would be better. The next day I am nervously standing outside of Chris Cagle's tour bus announcing myself to my contact person, "You the horse guy?" he asks.

"That's me", I say.

"Come on follow me."

Chris-CagleIt's exciting stepping into the inner sanctum of the star's tour bus - a little noisier than I thought. It was five in the afternoon.  Chris had a meet-and-greet at 7:00 and went on at 7:30. I sat down, introduced myself, and right away we were talking horses. Some of the best conversations I've had were while I'm setting up the recorder, and while it didn't take me more than 45 seconds to have everything up and running, we were well into Chris' first story. You'll hear some noise in the background as Chris band members go in and out of the bus. The sound  might be a little echoy, I had to really work on reducing the drone of the bus' engine or AC, but it is worth every minute. We talked for an hour and a half, sitting around like we had known each other for years. Chris Cagle shares some fascinating insights and emotions about horses, life, kids, music, and Clinton Anderson. Chris was so generous with his time,  you will hear at the end of the interview Chris'  band mates had to come pull him away.

Links:

Chris Cagle website:  Chris Cagle.com

Chris Cagle latest album:  Back in the Saddle

Clinton Anderson website:  Downunder Horsemanship.com

Contact Us

We have well over 70 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It's Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter - just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #038

 


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Vaquero Heritage Trainer Challenge Podcast


Vaquero Heritage Trainer Challenge Podcast

You've heard the pre-show episode.  You've seen the video.  Now, you get to hear the in-depth interviews with the folks from the Vaquero Heritage Trainer Challenge.  Each trainer had a horse in training for 3-4 months.  Then, during the event, they had a young horse to work with.

We speak to Diana Palmer, care-taker of the Wild Horses of Oak Creek and learn more about the horses and their history - or what's known about them.

Dave Lemley, rides with the Search and Rescue civilian side of the LAPD.  As a trainer, we catch up it Dave right after leaving his young horse on Day 1.  Dave talks about his goals in horse training and how he accomplished them.  Next up is Amber McGee, a local gal new to horse training.  Amber is involved in The Life Savers Wild Horse Rescue in Tehachapi.  she talks about what is like learning her craft and working with feral horses.  She also credits Whoa Podcast friend and trainer Matt Sheridan with helping her learn so much about horsemanship.

Monica Whitmer was not sure she would fit in.  She is an English rider and performs Dressage.  After consulting with the organizers, she decided to put her skills to the test.  Monica loves these feral Oak Creek horses.  She calls them Tehachapi Mountain Horses.  Monica tells us her plans of training one or two of these horses every year.

Steve Perron works in the movie business but his heart is with the feral horse.  Steve also volunteers with Life Savers Wild Horse Rescue.  A tinkerer at heart, Steve builds horse carriages out of PVC and hooks up young horses.  He feels it is important to get these horses used to whatever may come their way.

Dave Wratchford has been training horses for twenty years.  Originally from the east coast, Dave now lives out west.  Dave talks about the horse get a job and doing it right away.  Dave came into the long side of the competition late.  He quickly caught up and had his horse working on cattle.

We also have a conversation with judge Jeff Ohaco from Ojai.  He offers some insight into how the event was judged.  He also gives us his thoughts on this type of training.

Maryanne Murray came to watch the event.  After sitting in the stands for three days watching the training, she could not resist.  During the auction she bid on and won a Oak Creek horse.

Finally, we catch back up with Jeremy Dunn who gives some final thoughts on the trainers and the events.

Contact Us

We have well over 60 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It's Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter - just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #037


Click to listen to the Whoa Podcast