This Week on In Stride

Sinead is joined by amateur event rider and small animal veterinarian Katie Malensek to talk about her impressive career in and out of the saddle, and how she manages to do it all.

Meet the Guest: Katie Malensek

Katie Malensek is an amateur event rider and small animal veterinarian based in Port Orange, Florida. Originally from Burlington, Ontario, she has competed at the 4* level and represented Canada on the FEI Eventing Nations Cup team in Belgium in 2023, riding Landjaeger. At the Nations Cup, she finished clear with only time faults in the CCIO4*. In addition to her Nations Cup appearance, Katie has competed in other FEI events, including CCI3-L and CCI2-L competitions in Myakka City, Florida, riding horses she has developed through the levels herself.

In This Episode, Katie and Sinead Discuss:

• Katie’s perspective on the sport as an amateur and what that status means to her

• How she returned to horses after stepping away for graduate school, and what drew her back to the sport

• Her experience competing on a Nations Cup team and how she balanced work, training, and international competition

• Why it’s important for riders to speak up when changes are needed to prioritize horse safety and welfare

Episode Sponsors

VetCS

VetCS is an equine veterinarian–founded company creating science-backed hemp products for joint support, calming, and overall wellness.

- Visit https://vetcs.com/pages/in-stride and use code InStride20 for 20% off.

🎁VetCS Giveaway

VetCS is running a giveaway for In Stride listeners! The giveaway package includes one tube of Hemp Extract Paste, one container of Hemp Extract Powder, and one bag of Calming Muffins from VetCS. The total value of the bundle is $290 and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.

- Enter here: https://form.typeform.com/to/wil4LQqs

EquiHealth App

Keep your horse’s training, health records, and goals organized in one place.

- Visit https://www.equihealth.net/ to learn more.

The Equestrian College Advisor

Navigate the college search with confidence and find the right fit for academics and riding.

- Learn more at equestriancollegeadvisor.com

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:

- Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts

- Exclusive podcast episodes

- Dressage test prep resources

- A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com Looking for More?

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s Horse Health Essentials eight-part program is available now.

- Save 35% with code POD35 at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Ask An Expert is your go-to podcast for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian professionals.

- Listen anywhere: https://pod.link/1776969830

This episode of Equestrian Mastermind is sponsored by VetCS. VetCS is an equine veterinarian–founded company creating science-backed hemp products for everything from joint support to calming solutions for stressful situations. Their clean, consistent formulas are made by horse people who truly understand horses. Visit https://vetcs.com/pages/in-stride to purchase and use code InStride20 for 20% off.

This is Season 3, Episode 2 of Equestrian Mastermind, featuring world-class riders Phillip Dutton, Tik Maynard, Will Coleman, and Michael Pollard, guided by transformational life coach Natalie Hummel.

In this episode, the group explores how fear and pressure show up in high-stakes moments, and how that relates to success and failure. They share how each of them navigates those situations and close with a visualization exercise guided by Natalie.

Throughout the episode, they discuss:

• Whether they are competitors who hate to lose or love to win, and what truly motivates them to compete

• The importance of operating from confidence and presence, and being willing to take risks

• How learning to sit with fear and pressure, rather than fight it, can prevent those feelings from taking control

Join Natalie, Tik, Michael, Phillip, and Will for a candid conversation on fear, pressure, and how to move forward without letting either hold you back.

Equestrian Mastermind is brought to you by Ride iQ.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you want to give it a try, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com⁠.

Want to hear more from Natalie Hummel? Through her Limitless Academy, Natalie offers an 11-month journey designed to help riders reset, rewire, and rise into their full potential by combining nervous system science with elite-level performance coaching. Follow Natalie on social media @nataliehummelcoaching

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Ask An Expert is your go-to podcast for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian professionals. From improving your riding to mastering everyday horse care, our experts break it all down. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1776969830

Bonus Episode: This conversation originally aired on the Horse Person Podcast, hosted by Caroline Culbertson, and we’re bringing it over to the In Stride feed for you to enjoy.

In this episode of the Horse Person Podcast, Caroline sits down with equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher to talk about where horse owners should (and shouldn’t) spend their money when it comes to care and management. They cover everything from hoof care, tack and equipment to supplements, daily habits, and bodywork. Dr. Lacher explains how to build a smart, effective care plan without a high-performance budget.

Dr. Erica Lacher is an equine veterinarian and the owner of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. Known for her horse-first approach, she is passionate about educating owners, promoting long-term soundness, and helping horses have comfortable, successful careers through thoughtful management and informed care decisions.

Want to hear more from the Horse Person Podcast?

Hosted by Caroline Culbertson, the show creates a supportive space for curious, thoughtful conversations about the many realities of life with horses, without judgment. You can find the Horse Person Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Want to hear more from Dr. Lacher?

Her eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, dives deeper into the everyday decisions that keep horses sound and thriving. Use code POD35 for 35% off and learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.