Free Rein is a podcast for people who love horses, riding and the people behind the sport.
Hosted by performance psychologist, equestrian journalist and (very) amateur event rider Charlotte Ricca, the podcast features honest conversations with riders, coaches, experts and high performers from across the equestrian world and beyond.
Together, they explore the experiences, setbacks, successes and mindset that have shaped them.
From elite sport and mindset to horses and life, Free Rein explores what it takes to succeed – both in and out of the saddle.
Patrick Grant, fashion designer, entrepreneur and TV personality
This first episode of the new season of Free Rein goes in a slightly different direction as I’m chatting to award-winning fashion designer, author and TV personality, Patrick Grant.
I went to Leeds University with Patrick many years ago. We used to go clubbing together (yes, he can dance). He's always great company and good for an anecdote, as you will hopefully hear in this podcast.
There is a somewhat tenuous horsey connection... I managed to get Patrick on a horse. It was the only way I could pin him down for the interview and it proved the perfect way to chat, with no distractions. Other than staying put on an ex-racehorse.
We talked about everything from buying a struggling Savile Row tailor with no experience of the industry, to winning Celebrity Mastermind and the time Kate Moss threw crisps at Gwyneth Paltrow.
Quite the ride.
Topics covered:
– Taking chances and backing yourself
– Building a business from scratch
– Confidence, luck and imposter syndrome
– Community Clothing and British manufacturing
– Fast fashion and sustainability
– Public school, privilege and success
– Celebrity encounters with King Charles and Kate Moss
A very big thank you to Mary at Moorcroft Race Horse Welfare Centre for the loan of Ken for the afternoon.
You can find out more about the great work this charity does here:
https://www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk/
Thanks for listening to Free Rein.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.
Free Rein is brought to you by Kinda Brilliant Psychology.
Because performance isn't just about knowing what to do. It's about being able to do it when it matters most.
21 May 2020
Episode 9: legendary showjumping Michael Whitaker
Michael is one of the founding members of the famous Whitaker showjumping dynasty. He first came to fame in 1980 when he won the Hickstead Derby on his first attempt, at the age of 20. He went on to win this iconic competition another three times.
Michael has also won Olympic team silver at the 1994 Olympics, and a haul of European Championship medals, including two team gold and individual silver. However, individual gold still eludes the 60-year-old - which is still hopes to win with his top horse Valmy de Lande.
Michael talks about his future ambitions in this interview, as well as his past successes. We also talk about:
How winning the Hickstead Derby on his debut changed his life
The secret to his very long success
The horses that made his career
The riders he respects - and learns from
Passing on his years of experience to his son, Jack
How showjumping has changed over the years, and how he has had to adapt his riding to stay competitive
The impact of the Global Champions Tour on showjumping
The Whitaker showjumping dynasty - find out who he thinks is the most talented, who is the stroppiest and who is the last one at the bar!
Why his former top horse Viking lives out - 24/7
I hope you enjoy listening as much I enjoyed making it. If you do, please don't forget to 'like and subscribe'.
Happy riding!
9 May 2020
Episode 8: Olympic dressage rider, Richard Davison
After rather a long break (sorry, long story), Free Rein returns with a bang, featuring an interview with international dressage rider Richard Davison.
Richard is a four-times Olympian and has been involved in dressage for more than three decades – not just as a rider, but as a judge, performance manager, consultant, spokesperson and much, much more.
Richard is interesting, charming and chatty, and always has an opinion, which makes him so great to interview.
In this podcast we cover a whole range of subjects, including:
Embarrassing himself at his first dressage competition
The ups and down of British Dressage
The secret of Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester’s success
Learning from his experiences – getting older and wiser
Trying to modernise the sport and the obstacles he faces
The new World Cup Grand Prix format
The psychology of judging
Future ambitions with his horse Bubblingh
Why it takes more than decent horse power to win medals
Not putting too much pressure on results and just enjoying the whole process
The Davison Equestrian (https://www.davisonequestrian.com/) empire - how his whole family is involved
There was so much great content, which I had to whittle down into 50 mins for this podcast. I hope you enjoy listening as much I enjoyed making it. If you do, please don't forget to 'like and subscribe'.
Happy riding!
7 May 2019
Episode 7 - Event rider and Badminton 2019 champion Piggy French
In this episode Charlotte talks to international event rider Piggy French. Piggy is one of Britain’s leading event riders, with numerous wins and placings at the top level of eventing. However, a five-star win still eluded her – until now. After 25 attempts, Piggy finally bagged a major trophy – winning the 2019 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials with Vanir Kamira.
Other successes include winning team gold at the 2018 World Championships in North Carolina and individual silver medal at the 2009 Europeans at Fontainebleau.
Piggy talks to Charlotte about:
Hitting rock bottom in 2012 after missing out on the 2012 London Olympics and the 2013 European Championships - and how she finally "dared to dream again"
Finding love when she least unexpected it, and learning to trust again. "Tom is a wonderful person and my best friend".
Her childhood crush on Mary King - and the array of presents she sent her! "Oh my god I was a lunatic!"
Why taking time out to have her first child Max gave her a fresh new perspective on her sport and career
Her exciting future prospects - including one owned by Jennifer Saunders
9 Nov 2018
Episode 6 - Showjumper and Hickstead favourite Harriet Nuttall
In this episode of Free Rein Charlotte Ricca talks to international and super-smiley showjumper Harriet Nuttall. We realise being smiley isn't an essential attribute for a showjumper, but it's pretty important for interviews. Needless to say Harriet was a lot of fun to talk to.
Harriet has enjoyed much of her success at Hickstead, where she has won both the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the British Speed Derby. She has also come second in the Hickstead Derby three times with the much-loved A Touch Imperious – earning her the moniker the Derby Bridesmaid!
In this interview we talk about what makes the Derby so special. We also chat about:
• Her husband's (then fiancée) romantic proposal
• What makes A Touch Imperious so special and so difficult - and why she nearly gave up on him
• Coming into the Devil's Dyke at Hickstead disunited. Argh!
• The challenge of staying at the top of her sport
• Training with Nick Skelton
And a whole load more...
9 Nov 2018
Episode 5 - Hickstead Derby winner Trevor Breen and his showjumping wife Caroline
Trevor and Caroline Breen are the most glamorous couple in showjumping. But they're not just a pretty face. Trevor has won the Hickstead Derby twice - winning it in 2014 with Adventure de Kannan and again in 2015 with Loughnatousa WB. He has also won the Hickstead Speed Derby, the Eventing Grand Prix and the Queen Elizabeth Cup. It seems fitting that Trevor and Caroline now live just minutes from the Hickstead showground. Caroline is also a successful international showjumper, having trained with Olympic showjumper Tim Stockdale. She also runs Breen Sport Horses, while bringing up their two children Mia and Ollie. In this exclusive interview they talk about:
• How they met - and what attracted them to each other
• Finally winning the Hickstead Derby
• What makes Addy the one-eyed wonder horse so special
• Their daily routine and training their horses
• Why Caroline swapped gymnastics for horses
• Why Trevor nearly didn't become a showjumper And so much more...
9 Nov 2018
Episode 4 - Eventing's most successful couple, Jonelle and Tim Price
Meet the most formidable couple in equestrian sport - and also the nicest.
2018 has been an incredible year for Jonelle and Tim. Jonelle won Badminton Horse Trials and Luhmuhlen, while Tim took the title at Burghley.
They have also enjoyed numerous top five places in the biggest four-star events in the world and made history at Rio 2016 as the first husband and wife on the same Olympic team.
In this interview they talk about:
• How they first met and why it took so long to get together
• Life growing up in New Zealand
• What makes them so different as riders
• How they help each other - and frustrate each other!
• Jonelle winning Badminton
• Coping with nerves
• Life since having their first baby, Otis
And much, much more!
9 Nov 2018
Episode 3 - Legendary event rider, Sir Mark Todd
I am SO excited to bring a true legend to Free Rein Podcast. Sir Mark Todd is the most successful equestrian in history, and has been at the top of his game for an incredible five decades.
Mark has competed at seven Olympics, winning two gold medals, and has also won gold at two World Equestrian Games.
In addition he has won Badminton four times and Burghley an incredible five times – and he's not done yet.
In this exclusive interview Mark talks about:
• Which TV show he would love to appear on
• Why New Zealand produces such incredible eventers
• The truth behind the rumours about him being a party animal
• The lowest moment of his career
• The incredible horses he has ridden - and one really bad one!
• Rubbing shoulders with royalty
And so much more...
8 Nov 2018
Episode 2 - Pippa and William Funnell part 2
This second episode of Free Rein Podcast is part 2 of Charlotte Ricca's interview with equestrian couple Pippa and William Funnell.
Pippa Funnell MBE is an icon of British Eventing, who has won Olympic team silver, individual silver and individual bronze medals. She was also the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
Her husband William is a top showjumper, whose biggest claim to fame is winning the Hickstead Derby three times. The couple also run Billy Stud, breeding and producing top British-bred horses.
Pippa and William invited Charlotte into their home one evening for G&Ts and a long chat. In the second part of the podcast they talk about:
• Pippa's second career as an author of children's books
• Coming to terms with not having children
• Pippa dealing with the pressure of winning the Rolex Grand Slam
• What Pippa doesn't like about modern eventing
• How William copes with being 'Mr Pippa Funnell'!
• Billy Stud's breeding programme
• Why William won't be taking up eventing any time soon!
• The secret to keeping fit as older riders
And much more!
18 May 2018
Episode 1 - Eventing icon Pippa Funnell and her husband, Hicktead Derby winner, William
This first episode of Free Rein Podcast sees Charlotte Ricca talking to equestrian couple Pippa and William Funnell.
Pippa Funnell MBE is an icon of British Eventing, who has won Olympic team silver, individual silver and individual bronze medals. She was also the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
Her husband William is a top showjumper, whose biggest claim to fame is winning the Hickstead Derby three times. The couple also run Billy Stud, breeding and producing top British-bred horses.
Pippa and William invited Charlotte into their home one evening for G&Ts and a long chat. In this podcast they talk about:
• How they met
• The secret to their long marriage
• What they get up to when they're not riding
• Why Pippa is a good influence on William's horses
• Up and coming riders they rate
• The current state of British Showjumping and British Eventing
• Favourite horses in their career
And much more!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.7 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Contact Free Rein Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
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