Dr. Kyla Sorensen just continues to show up. She's one of those people in life where one or two words just don't seem to describe her justly, and that's partly because of her determination to do things the right way. Tracey and Kyla talk about the good doctor's start on her equine journey and how she learned a lot just by going out and trying somet…

Allie Schmidt says that there has never been a time when she didn't love horses, and the former competitive gymnast honed her riding skills by doing a bit of everything. That should tell you a lot about who Allie is and how she approaches things. Her riding and coaching careers have been rising, which is all the more impressive when you hear her ad…

Sarah Bernardi began her career in veterinary social work as just one of two in all of Canada. When you let that sink in, the ideas this trailblazer talks about seem to resonate that much more. Tracey gets the down-low from Sarah on what it's like to work as a vet social worker, how there can be big issues with boundaries and how for a long time ve…

Karen Sparks is showing us all what happens when you ask for more. All it took was one time at summer camp as a six year old for Karen to get hooked on horses, leading her to ask for more time with them. That simple request cemented her lifelong equestrian passion, and she's been making every moment since then count. Helping turn Wesley Clover Park…

Have you ever been in the ring and avoided going into a particular corner because you'd been bucked off there, or have you passed on going for a solo hack because your horse got spooked by something? According to Megan Pinfield, those are trauma responses. Megan has her PhD is a therapist and the owner of Pinfield Counselling Coaching Consulting in…

Life is full of choices we all have to make. There are times when those choices are easy and are made without hesitation, and then there are those fuelled by tears and pain that are forced upon you. Lori Shaw knows about painful choices, but she also knows about determination, second chapters and pivoting. The former owner/operator of Sunbridge Equ…

Ontario Equestrian's Danielle Glanc joins the show and lets her inner light shine brightly as she talks about her love of horses and her commitment to them in every imaginable way. Danielle is able to take the analytical half of her brain she uses for her day job as a farm policy analyst with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and meld it seamle…

For Sarah Steenbeek, horses have been a saving grace for as long as she can remember. They have given her validation when she needed it most, and have been a constant in her life since she was a girl. In joining the podcast, Sarah shares her story: dealing with hearing and speech impediments and how horses helped get her through that, to learning a…

Tracey is joined on this episode of Hitting Your Stride by the Modern Day Dolittle herself, Meg Vickell, as she opens up about her path to becoming a well-known animal communicator. Meg doesn't waste time, diving into her passion by telling us that all animals speak the love language of the heart and that all humans are wired to intuitively hear th…

Ericka Rusnak loves the small things about horses just as much now as when she was a little girl. It's helped to shape her in many ways, not the least of which being her career path to one of Canada's premier horse breeders. As Ericka joins Tracey on this episode of Hitting Your Stride, she talks about all of the elements that have mixed perfectly …

Tracey welcomes her brother, Rob Mitchell, back to Hitting Your Stride for an in-depth discussion about mental resilience and its preparation. And as you might expect with a conversation between these siblings, the banter is backed up by some in-depth idea exchanges. Rob talks about building mental resilience like you'd build muscles in that it tak…

Ruth Allum is not shy about meeting challenges head-on, and that shines through in abundance in this episode. There is a liveliness in her spirit when it comes to living the equestrian life, and she's all in on making the good things great. Among her many titles, Ruth is a certified Equestrian Canada Coach Evaluator and an NCCP Certified Coach Deve…

Lendon Gray is many things in the equestrian world: champion, teacher, author, icon. And in joining Tracey for this episode of Hitting Your Stride, Lendon shares stories that hold as much learning value as they do entertainment. The ladies' talk covers the wide arc of Lendon's career, including her roots in the saddle that spanned a number of disci…

Alisha Wilson is getting the chance to follow her passion while making a positive impact on others at the same time. As founder and certified facilitator at Transitions Equine Assisted Learning, she's showing people what's possible when you get the immediate, non-judgemental feedback that a horse can provide. Living by the dual credos of 'Trust the…

Margie Engle is a name that's synonymous with success in equestrian circles, as she's dedicated her life to being at her best in the ring when it matters most. Hard work and commitment are the obvious markers, but her devotion to learning and evolving along with the sport sets Margie apart. Since her youth Margie has been out to prove herself, whet…

When a guy like Scott Cieslar comes out and says his goal in life is to make life better for horses, you tend to believe him. And as the latest guest on the podcast, Scott shares his passion and purpose with us and then some! The conversation begins where so many of them do, as Scott tells us what he learned from the first horse he ever worked with…

Tracey takes a figurative seat for this episode, as she welcomes saddle fitting veteran Christian Lowe to the show for a peek at what it's like helping someone with one of the most important decisions an equine athlete can make. Christian and Tracey talk about how in more than 30 years in the business he's done and seen a lot but knows there's alwa…

Those familiar with the inner workings of The Royal's competition side will know the name of Christine Reupke, as she is the current Director, Equestrian & Breed Sport for the show. She joins Tracey for this episode of Hitting Your Stride, sharing a wealth of experience she's gained from being in the saddle, coaching, judging and orchestrating show…

An education in horses can take on many forms, and for Meghan Mackenzie Bell hers came in one of the more unique ways. She started out by riding Quarter Horses while growing up in Southwestern Ontario, but then expanded her learning post-university by working in Ireland, Kentucky, Australia and New Zealand before coming home. As she and Tracey talk…

How often do you conduct a walk-around at your barn or farm? Do you know the rules when it comes to paying employees who work for an equestrian-based business? Are you up-to-date on all the waivers, safety regulations and tax implications that go along with running your business? These are just a small sample of questions that Catherine Willson pos…

There is something to be said about the idea of stepping away from something familiar and going towards something adventurous. In many ways, Ashley and Kevin Maxie of STRUCK Apparel get to live that ideal every day: working together as spouses, joining forces to form a new company in the equestrian world after coming together from vastly different …

There are some people who know they're destined to make dreams a reality - some figure it out right away, while others take a more winding path. Erica McKeever's path included a few trips across the Atlantic Ocean, but it also had her trusting and believing in herself to make it happen. A native of England, McKeever got her first job in the horse w…

Life is about partnerships - finding the right ones, cultivating them to make them last, and learning everything you can from them. Officer Stacey Jennings of the Toronto Police has learned that in her time with the Mounted Unit, and she's applying those lessons every chance she gets. As the latest guest on Hitting Your Stride, Stacey had a lot to …

Being an athlete means you'll always face challenges, and for Kim Scott she accepts that she's going to have to work hard in the saddle to get the results she wants. That she as Cerebral Palsy makes it a little more of a challenge but not one she shies away from. In this episode of Hitting Your Stride Tracey welcomes Kim and engages her in a conver…

On the cusp of a new show season, riders have a lot on their minds: preparations, goals, excitement and anticipation. It can be a lot, but it can also be counter-productive and lead to anxiety. Heather Lillico has been dealing with anxiety most of her adult life, but as she shares in this episode of Hitting Your Stride, it's not about a war as much…

The new discipline of Working Equitation is starting to grow and gather a new following in the horse world, and Lise Leblanc is on the front lines of that growth in Ontario. Lise, a long-time teacher in the educational system, joins the Hitting Your Stride podcast in this episode to talk about that and so much more. Their conversation opens with Li…

In an interview that highlights another behind-the-scenes heartbeat of the horse industry, Tracey has Marie Labrecque join her for a touching episode of Hitting Your Stride. Marie, the groom, barn manager, and property manager at King's Grant Farm in Caledon shows off another side of her -- horse advocate. It's been a long road for Marie, arriving …

Dr. Robert Schinke joins Hitting Your Stride for today's episode, and we hit some new heights in our quest to engage the equestrian world with information that will help them see goal-setting in a whole new way. Robert has a long history with elite-level equestrian competition, peaking with back-to-back appearances on the Canadian Pan-Am team in th…

When was the last time you faced adversity and how did you handle it? Did it change how you see your life and how you live day-to-day, or did you just chalk it up to 'lessons learned' and move on? For Megan Robinson, she's been meeting adversity head-on most of her life ... and she's now the one dishing out the lessons because of how she's handled …

If you're mucking out stalls, muck it out the best you can. While that wasn't the only message from Karen Leeming in this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride', it serves as an effective encapsulation into the career and the life of the Footing First partner. Host Tracey Mitchell and Karen explore what led her to filling a niche in the equestrian indust…

And now Tracey knows what it's like being on the other side of her podcast! Victoria McCourt, Tracey's cousin, fellow horsewoman and owner of VEM coaching, stepped in to interview Tracey and helped her talk about the Hitting Your Stride podcast and how its grown in two-plus years of welcoming some of the equestrian world's biggest names and those w…

Welcome back and welcome to the first episode of Hitting Your Stride in 2023! Today, Tracey welcomes event rider Holly Jacks from Holly Jacks Equestrian. She's coming off a 2022 season that saw her and her partner, Candy King, represent Canada at the 2022 World Championships in Italy, and she gives Tracey a peek inside the world of someone who's be…

Hitting Your Stride is about sharing stories with great energy behind them, and what better way to celebrate the 50th episode than to talk with Laura Fournier of Annie Jay Equestrian. If you don't get inspired by Laura's story and enthusiasm, then you need to check yourself for a pulse! After giving birth to twins, Laura wanted to get back in the s…

How often does someone's passion find its spark from a Grade Three class trip to a horse farm? For Chet Martin, that's exactly what got him going down the road to becoming a world-class competitor and trainer in the reined cow horse discipline. That trip showed him about horsemanship, which in turn led him to begin writing his own book about the cr…

So how did you celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Winter Fair? Hitting Your Stride took the show on the road and spent time getting up close and personal with people at the show, hearing their stories about all things ranging from how things have been since the Royal last held its annual event to how they felt coming back or coming to one…

In her own words, Claire is living her little girl dream every day. Joining Tracey for this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride' is Braecrest Farm's owner/operator/trainer/breeder Claire Hunter. The young equine lover and entrepreneur is making a name for herself and Braecrest Farm with her unique way of training younger horses, gaining the trust of so…

Tracey welcomes Maya Markowski back to 'Hitting Your Stride', as the coach and driving force behind Equest Dressage catches the podcast listeners up on her Olympic goals and how she's been working towards making them a reality. Maya talks about keeping her objectives in perspective and how she's taking things as they come throughout this process. P…

In this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride' Tracey learns from Yvonne Losos de Muñiz about earned knowledge and the many forms it comes to us all in. Yvonne, a dressage rider originally from Nigeria but who now represents the Dominican Republic, has been adding to her knowledge base for the better part of 20 years and a lot of that has been learning o…

Lauren Hayes is hitting her stride in this episode of Hitting Your Stride. The child of Olympic rider Jay Hayes, Lauren joins the podcast and shares with Tracey what it's been like for her to grow up in that orbit and how she's blazed her own trail in a multi-generational family with equine roots that run deep. Recalling her days as an up-and-comin…

Even for the most dedicated equine athletes, there are things about being a farrier they don't know. Brian Mullins CJF ASF, owner of Mullins Farrier and host of the Mullins Farrier Podcast, joins Hitting Your Stride to shed light on all of the big and small things that go into being a farrier and what specifically led him down that road. He talks a…

Tracey crossed into new territory in this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride', as she welcomes Caleb Clingen to the show. A well-known and highly respected multi-discipline horse trainer who also happens to be an elite barrel racer. This first-generation horseman provides the foundational training they will eventually need, regardless of which discipl…

In as wide-ranging a conversation as Tracey has had with any of her guests, Erynn Ballard makes a thought-provoking appearance to take the podcast to the next level. The women cover the gamut of topics with easy candor, going from how riding is both a passion and a job at the same time and you need to love both sides of that coin, to dealing with t…

Emotions are heightened at the start of show season, as ambitious goals, nerve-wracking fears and struggles to accept failure are all part of the immediate future for riders. And Kendra DeVos (MSW, RSW) will be facing that this season, as she and her horse, Gigi, take on the Silver Series at Angelstone. But as a qualified therapist, Kendra is adept…

As horse people, we volunteer willingly to throw a leg over a 1,200-lb. animal knowing that nothing of what could follow is going to be easy. They test us, and we know that test is coming. Yet for some, they struggle to learn how to bounce back in the face of a challenge. Being an equestrian requires a strong reflex to get back up when you fall, pu…

Picture sitting in the saddle and thinking, 'Can I actually do this?' just as the first show of the season kicks off. One thought after another is racing through your head, questioning if you have what it takes to complete the goals that you set out for yourself not that long ago. In today's 'Hitting Your Stride', Tracey shares those exact thoughts…

Anyone who knows Tracey's guest in this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride' knows the word 'passionate' doesn't even begin to describe him. Dr. Steve Engle, veterinarian and equine chiropractor, can't ever seem to quench his thirst for knowledge. When he was first introduced to the new modality of equine chiropractic in 1995, he talked about continuin…

In this episode of 'Hitting Your Stride', Tracey takes a deep dive into the world of eventing rider and coach Lesley Grant-Law. This Canadian-born equestrian now calls Ocala, Florida home, where she and her husband Leslie Law operate Law Eventing. Lesley goes into great detail about her life in and out of the horse world and doesn't hold back on so…

Meg Krueger, the CEO of Equestrian Canada, joins Tracey on the podcast and takes listeners on a proverbial ride through the peaks and valleys of her career and life as an adventurer and an entrepreneur. Proud to call herself Canadian, the head of our country's governing body for equestrian sport has tapped into knowledge bases both at home and abro…

In this episode of Hitting Your Stride, Dr. Mike Pownall (DVM, MBA) joins Tracey for a spirited discussion on the state of equine veterinary care in the industry and how he as co-owner of McKee-Pownall Equine Services is seeking to change things for the better. This is pretty far from where Mike thought he'd be, having grown up a city kid in Montre…

It's not often you get the chance to have a conversation with someone who helped shape a sport for an entire country, but Tracey had that very opportunity in this episode of Hitting Your Stride. She welcomed six-time Olympian and three-time PanAm gold medalist Christilot Boylen to the podcast to share her lifetime of experiences -- from learning ho…