G’day legends, and welcome to Between the Flags — your Aussie eventing chat show.
We bring you honest conversations, expert insights, and a bit of cheeky fun from the riders, the coaches, and even those amazing folks shaping our sport in Australia and beyond.
Whether you’re a young rider chasing your first star-class start, a parent, or a horse owner who lives and breathes eventing, Between the Flags is your go-to chat show.
Ride along with Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes — stirrups up, and let’s go eventing.
From Sheep Stations to Racetracks — An eventing life on Jess Rae time
What do you get when you mix a gutsy country kid, some difficult horses, a four-star eventing career and a 2:50 am alarm? You get Jess Rae!
Jess joins Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes to chat about growing up riding ponies in western NSW, chasing the dream of becoming an elite eventer, and the horses that have shaped her journey. From buying Indy for just $2,000 to breeding and producing the quirky but incredibly talented Rascal, Jess shares the highs, the heartbreaks and the lessons learned along the way.
These days, Jess’s life is anything but quiet. She starts her mornings riding racehorses before working with pre-training horses, riding her own eventers and teaching lessons. And somewhere in amongst all that, she’s still finding time to chase her four- and five-star ambitions!
We talk about resilience, the reality of funding a career in eventing, the importance of having a life outside horses, and why Jess still has unfinished business when it comes to competing overseas and representing Australia.
Plus, we get to the bottom of “Jess Time” — the mysterious time zone where a 10 am start might not quite mean 10 am — and discover there’s a rogue eyebrow involved too!
It’s an honest, funny and inspiring conversation about hard work, big dreams, great horses and learning to enjoy the ride, even when life doesn’t quite go to plan.
16 Oct 2026
Fi Unfiltered: Horses, Coaching, Dogs & Plenty of Laughs
At the request of our listeners, it's time for a change of seats on Between the Flags! This time, Prue Barrett takes over the interviewer’s chair and puts co-host Fiona Hughes in the hot seat.
From Pony Club beginnings to a long career in eventing, riding, coaching and mentoring, Fi shares some of the experiences, people and lessons that have shaped her journey — with plenty of laughs and a few dog stories along the way.
Fi talks about what her recent Equestrian NSW Coach Award means to her, why she decided to study coaching, and how a passion for learning continues to influence the way she works with riders. She and Prue explore what makes a great coach, why confidence and curiosity matter just as much as riding skills, and the importance of creating a supportive community where riders can learn and grow together.
Fi also shares the thinking behind the NSW Star Squad and its role in helping riders bridge the gap between grassroots participation and high-performance eventing.
It's a conversation about horses, coaching, the people who make a difference, and the experiences that shape a life in the sport — with the added bonus of hearing what happens when Prue gets to ask the questions.
A great listen for riders, coaches, parents, dog lovers and anyone who enjoys a few good stories from the world of eventing.
1 Oct 2026
Sammi Birch: The Dream isn't over yet!
Sammi Birch has spent nearly 30 years chasing the biggest prizes in eventing - but the Olympic start she still wants is what keeps her coming back for more. She opens up about the horses, the heartbreak, the stubbornness, and the wild journey that took her from the Hunter Valley to five Olympic reserve selections and some of the sport’s toughest tracks.
Prue and Fi go right back to the start with one of Australia’s most accomplished eventers, from show ponies and dressage to the formative mentors who shaped her career, from the NSW Equestrian Centre, Prue and Craig Barrett and her dad Lyndon. Sammi shares what made horses like Hunter Red, Frederick Hunter, and the formidable Hunter Valley 11 so special, and why some of her best partnerships were also the quirkiest.
Sammi also talks candidly about life at Little Park Farm in the Cotswolds with husband Ed, two children, a busy yard, Helen Tagg her head groom for an amazing 27 years, and a team that somehow always seems to have more horses than boxes. She explains why mentoring young Australian riders means so much to her, what it takes to stay at the top of international eventing, and why she’s more excited than ever about the next generation of horses coming through.
This episode gives you a real look at what it takes to keep building toward Badminton, Burghley, and Los Angeles. Essential listening if you love eventing, horse people, and the brilliant reality behind elite sport.
3 Sept 2026
Christine Bates - Failure wasn't a deterrent it was a speed bump.
Some horses are special from the moment you sit on them. Others take years, a mountain of patience and a few spectacular moments of “well… that didn’t go to plan!”
Christine Bates has produced some of Australian eventing’s best horses and she’s got the stories to prove that getting to the top is rarely a straight line.
Christine joins Prue and Fi for a cracking chat about growing up in WA, heading east with Basil, producing horses for the highest level and the highs, lows, laughs and heartbreak that come with a life in eventing.
There’s plenty about the horses, of course — including what made Adelaide Hill so special and why Christine has some pretty big plans
But this conversation goes deeper too.
Christine talks honestly about failure, tragedy, risk and the responsibility to make eventing safer, while still protecting the things that make us all completely addicted to it.
It’s honest. It’s funny. It’s occasionally brutal.
And it’s a brilliant reminder that behind every great horse is a whole lot of work, patience, resilience.
25 Aug 2026
Horses, Family & eventing worldwide - meet Sophia Hill
From a horse-mad kid growing up in suburban Melbourne to competing on the world stage, Sophia Hill’s journey is a story of horses, family, determination and elite eventing.
In this episode we chat with Sophia about the horses that have shaped her career, including her incredible partnerships with Humble Glory (Huey) and Tulara Baltango (Tango), and what it takes to balance family life with the demands of competing at the highest level.
Sophia takes us through her journey from her first FEI start to international competition across four countries, including Burghley, Maryland, Lexington and Aachen.
We hear about the highs, the challenges, the travel, the pressure and the special partnerships that have taken her from Melbourne’s suburbs to the world stage — including her reserve-team role for the 2024 Paris Olympics and her standout performance at Aachen in 2026.
And, of course, we couldn’t leave out that trademark achievement: finishing on her dressage score!
An honest and fascinating insight into the life of an elite event rider and the horses, family and passion behind the journey.
10 Aug 2026
The Calm Behind the Scenes — meet Charlotte Andrews
Charlotte Andrews takes us behind the scenes of elite eventing to reveal what it really takes to prepare a horse and rider for championship competition. From Australian team camp in Belgium to Aachen, Adelaide and Paris, Charlotte shares the routines, pressure, timing and split-second decisions that can make all the difference.
Because at the top level, a groom does far more than keep the horse looking immaculate. They know the horse, read the rider, anticipate what’s needed and create calm in the middle of the chaos.
With stories from her career grooming for some of the sport’s top riders, practical advice for aspiring grooms, and plenty of humour along the way, Charlotte gives us a rare insight into the person helping keep both horse and rider at their very best.
24 Jul 2026
Grit Behind the Success: Andrew Cooper on Horses, Business & Family
Andrew Cooper is one of Australia's leading high-performance event riders, with 13 horses produced to 4 & 5★ level, three Oceania Championship appearances, and a reputation for developing elite event horses.
In this episode, Andrew shares the grit and determination that shaped his journey—from growing up in Wagga Wagga without a horsey background to becoming one of Australia's most respected horsemen. We talk about producing top-level event horses, navigating the highs and lows of elite competition, balancing family life with a busy horse business, and the mindset that's driven his success.
Whether you're passionate about eventing, horse training, or high performance, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories from one of the best in the sport.
9 Jul 2026
The Journey to Becoming Australia's Equestrian Team Vet – We Chat with Dr Nathan Anthony
What does it take to become Australia's Equestrian Team Veterinarian?
In this episode, we chat with Dr Nathan Anthony about his journey from growing up in Queensland to supporting Australia's elite eventing teams at World Championships, Olympic campaigns and international competitions.
Nathan shares the commitment, attention to detail and teamwork required to keep high-performance horses competing at their best. We explore the power of marginal gains, building trust in elite environments, and the lessons that come from working behind the scenes in one of the world's most demanding sporting arenas.
And as usual some cheeky fun!
Whether you're passionate about horses, veterinary medicine or high performance, this conversation offers valuable insights into the dedication behind elite success.
25 Jun 2026
Persistence, Passion, Family & Opportunity – meet Will Enzinger
Will Enzinger's journey from riding school kid to Australia's High Performance Director is a story of persistence, passion and unexpected opportunities.
In this episode, Will shares the experiences that shaped him as a rider, coach and leader, along with insights into developing talent, building successful teams and guiding Australia's international ambitions. Throw in a few stories about singing, road trips and life with Emily Anker, and you've got a fascinating conversation about horses, high performance and staying true to yourself.
11 Jun 2026
Taking the Leap: Resilience, horses and the love of Eventing — Yona Lloyd style
In this episode of Between the Flags, we sit down with Yona Lloyd for an honest conversation about resilience, taking chances, and staying committed to the sport you love.
From his upbringing in Tasmania to building a life in Western Victoria, Yona shares the experiences that have shaped him as a rider, coach, husband, father and horseman. We talk about the tough times, the setbacks that test your resolve, and the lessons learned from choosing to keep showing up when things don't go to plan.
Known for his down-to-earth approach and genuine passion for helping riders and horses develop, Yona reflects on the importance of backing yourself, taking the leap when opportunities arise, and finding purpose in the journey rather than the result.
This is a conversation about horses, family, coaching, resilience and why, despite the challenges, we keep coming back to eventing.
A thoughtful and inspiring chat with one of the good humans in our sport.
The conversation with Janet Houghton covers her introduction to the eventing community, her early days and involvement in eventing, her role in the squad program, event organization and management, and the importance of Melbourne in eventing. The discussion highlights the challenges and rewards of event organization, as well as the support and significance of the eventing community. The conversation covers a range of topics related to eventing, including the classes offered, leadership and direction in eventing, challenges and progress in the sport, the love for eventing, volunteering and community involvement, and light-hearted conversations.
14 May 2026
Oliver Barrett, 22yrs old and just getting started.
At 22, Oliver Barrett has already claimed his first Adelaide five-star win—proving that talent alone isn’t enough to reach the top. In this episode, Oliver shares how discipline, strategy, and the legacy of his family’s Sandhills program shaped his rise in Australian eventing. From riding ponies as a kid to managing ten horses a day, he reveals the routines, mindset, and pressure behind competing at the elite level.
We dive into the influence of his dad’s 2012 Adelaide victory, the mentorship that sharpened his skills, and the relentless focus required to succeed in one of the toughest sports in the world. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply chasing big goals, Oliver’s story is a powerful lesson in turning ambition into achievement.
30 Apr 2026
Balancing it all , life, horses and family - meet Katie Taliana
Prue and Fi Chat with Katie Taliana, it's a journey from trail rides and childhood dreams, to competing at five-star events. That passion, perseverance, and a little cheekiness can take you anywhere. From coaching in caravans to working overseas with Zara Phillips, her story is full of surprises — like how she met her husband online and navigated the highs and lows of eventing. Her story of resilience, hard work, and balancing family with sport will inspire you to keep riding, even when the road gets tough.
14 Apr 2026
Small town, big strides - meet Nat Blundell
Nat Blundell shares her journey in the world of eventing, from her early days in New South Wales to her experiences with horses like Billy Bathgate and Algebra. She also discusses her role as a course designer and her passion for darts.
Takeaways
Eventing Journey
Horse Partnerships
Course Designing
Darts Champion
Chapters
00:00 The Early Years and Introduction to Horses
06:21 Success with Billy Bathgate
15:00 Support from Owners and Future Plans
25:29 Living in the Region and Course Designing
32:59 Cool Down Questions
4 Apr 2026
Don’t Let the Name Fool You — Golly Means Business!
The conversation covers Golly's journey in eventing, her early years, the horses that shaped her career, career highlights and lows, the Holly and Golly show, her transition to Belgium and her eventing family, and concludes with quickfire questions and a conclusion.
Takeaways
True grit
Family influence
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Golly's Journey
06:00 Growing Up and Early Pony Stories
14:27 Career Highlights and Lows
26:29 Holly and Golly Show
32:05 Transition to Belgium and Eventing Family
38:44 Quickfire Questions and Conclusion
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Contact Between the Flags
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
