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For more than a year, I’ve asked other trainers’ wives to sit down with me and tell me their stories. This time, it’s my turn. In this very personal episode of The Trainer’s Wife, I’m stepping to the other side of the microphone to talk about my own journey—from the horse-show world and being a trainer’s wife, through divorce, loss, reinvention, and the many unexpected chapters that followed. I talk about what it means when the life you thought you were building ends. About starting over when you don’t necessarily know what you’re starting toward. About work, relationships, writing, this podcast, Finding Center Retreats—and the strange, winding road that somehow brought me here. This isn’t a story about having everything figured out. It’s about discovering that starting over doesn’t mean you failed. And it doesn’t mean you’re starting from nothing. You bring everything with you—the lessons, the heartbreak, the mistakes, the courage, and every version of the woman you’ve been. Because starting over isn’t the end of your story. It’s a new beginning. This one is mine.  SHOW NOTES Sponsored By: Two Sisters Ranch The Jennifer Journals Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

Hello everybody, and welcome back to The Trainer’s Wife. Today I’m sharing my conversation with Danielle Lybbert — horse trainer, competitor, businesswoman, and wife of NRCHA professional and judge Christian Lybbert. Together, Danielle and Christian have combined earnings nearing $200,000 in the NRCHA. They’ve spent the last 15 years building a marriage and a horse-training business in an industry that demands so much to be successful. They ride the horses that come through the gate, divide the work where they can, and have learned over the years how to lean into each other’s strengths. Danielle talks about learning to delegate the things that aren’t hers to carry — like accounting — so she can put more of her energy into the horses, the customers and the work she does best. What I loved about this conversation is that you really get to see the woman behind all of that accomplishment — where she came from, what she has overcome, and how much intention has gone into building the life she has today — a life she says has fulfilled her childhood dreams. One quick note before we begin: Danielle shares some very difficult parts of her family story, including discussion of suicide. If that is something that may be especially hard for you to hear today, I’ll let you decide whether or not to listen. Otherwise, I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Danielle Lybbert and the light she brings to this world. SHOW NOTES: Lybbert Performance Horses 988 Lifeline - Suicide Crisis and Lifeline Two Sisters Ranch & Tallow Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

Today on The Trainer’s Wife, I’m sitting down with Sam Gallentine of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, where she and her husband, Ryan, have built a successful cow horse training business. Ryan’s NRCHA earnings are just shy of $400,000, and most recently, he earned his first qualification to The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge in 2027 aboard One Ata Time. But today, we’re talking about Sam—and she is a horsewoman in her own right. Sam didn’t grow up in the horse business. She was simply a kid who loved horses and wanted to learn. She tells us about watching old RFD training videos, studying what she saw and then heading to the barn to try it herself. That determination eventually led her through starting colts, cutting horse programs, working for accomplished trainers and ultimately building a life and business with Ryan. Sam rides, trains and shows, but what struck me most was what she loves beyond the arena. She loves caring for horses—figuring out how to feed them so they look their best, noticing when one isn’t drinking or feeling right, doing the vet work, even running fluids and putting in the time to make sure they feel as good as they possibly can. Today, she does all of that while raising and homeschooling their two children. And although Sam loves to show and loves to win, she told me she could be happy never showing another one—as long as she could still care for them and be part of making those horses great. This is Sam Gallentine—and her story on The Trainer’s Wife. SHOW NOTES: Gallentine Performance Horses Sponsored By: Two Sisters Ranch The Jennifer Journals Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

McKenzie Parkinson has spent most of her life in the horse industry. She grew up in a horse-training family, started her career teaching middle school, and stepped away more than fifteen years ago when she became a mom. Today, she's built an impressive career of her own as the Event and Sponsorship Manager for Kimes Ranch—and she absolutely loves what she does. She's also married to accomplished horseman Shadd Parkinson, a multiple World Champion whose career spans several disciplines with collective earnings nearing $1 million. Together, they've built a life that includes two careers, two kids, a horse-training business—and some seasons when all of it seems to need attention at exactly the same time. McKenzie told me she believes you can have it all. You just can't have it all at once. And I love where that takes our conversation. We talk about the very different ways she and Shadd handle the chaos, what she's learned from his quiet, steady approach to life, and why not everything that feels urgent deserves our energy. But underneath the careers, the horses, the wins and everything they're trying to fit into one life, McKenzie keeps coming back to what really matters: The relationships we build along the way. This is McKenzie Parkinson. SHOW NOTES: Parkinson Performance Horses Kimes Ranch McKenzie Parkinson SHOW SPONSORS: Two Sisters Ranch Finding Center Retreats / The Jennifer Journals Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

The Trainer's ~ Fiancée I invited Christi Milburn onto the podcast because she's a trainer's fiancée instead of a trainer's wife. I thought we'd talk about what it's like to stand on the edge of that next chapter. We did... But somewhere along the way, the conversation took a completely different turn. Christi shares a journey that began with a childhood spent horseback, shaping the woman she always hoped to become. Fast forward to becoming a single mom at 19, and life looked very different. Horses disappeared from her world for a time, but when she found her way back, they became part of her own healing—and a way to help others find theirs. Today, she's building a life with BJ Avila while growing a business dedicated to helping horses and their athletes perform at their very best. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and a reminder that our hardest seasons don't have to define the rest of our story. SHOW NOTES: Christi's Cryotherapy & Performance Horses BJ Avila Performance Horse's & Prospects Episode Sponsors: Two Sisters Ranch Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

What do equine vaulting, psychology, professional bull riding, and reined cow horses have in common? Lizzy Horve-Clark. When Lizzy met Australian bull rider Brendon Clark, she was finishing graduate school and building a very different future. Today, she's the wife of an NRCHA trainer, a horse trainer herself, breeding manager for Red Arrow Ranch, and the steady force helping keep two thriving horse businesses moving forward. But this conversation isn't about Brendon. It's about Lizzy. It's about the woman behind the scenes—the daughter of a determined single mom and a disabled Vietnam veteran, the psychology student who chose a different path, and the wife who found herself building a life in an industry that asks so much of the families who support it. This is another story about the women who stand beside the trainers... and the lives they're building together. SHOW NOTES: Lizzy Horve-Clark Clark Performance Horses Red Arrow Ranch Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

Today’s guest is NRCHA Hall of Fame horsewoman Dema Paul. With nearly $700,000 in NRCHA earnings, multiple Futurity Championships, and a lifetime spent competing at the highest levels of the cow horse industry, Dema has earned her place among the most accomplished women in the sport. Raised in California by parents who knew little about horses, Dema taught herself by watching trainers from the grandstands, studying what worked, and then going home to try it herself. Long before online videos, clinics, and social media, she learned through observation, persistence, and an unwavering desire to improve. In this conversation, Dema shares stories from her early days showing horses, buying and selling horses as a young girl, finding success as a self-taught competitor, navigating marriage and business in the horse industry, and the lessons she learned over a lifetime spent doing what she loves. We also talk about retirement, knowing when it was time to step away from competition, financial realities in the horse business, and why letting go of yesterday's arguments may be one of the most important lessons of all. Please enjoy my conversation with NRCHA Hall of Fame horsewoman, Dema Paul. Show Notes: Dema Paul Clinics Shortys Caboy Hattery Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

On this episode of The Trainer’s Wife, I’m sitting down with Kim Lyon. Professionally, Kim is a commercial real estate executive specializing in office and industrial properties, where she has built a successful career rooted in relationships, business development, and strategic leadership. In the western industry, Kim is married to AQHA, NRHA & NSBA professional horseman Bud Lyon, whose program has become one of the most recognizable names in ranch riding. Bud has earned more than $500,000 in NSBA earnings while setting records and earning Horse of the Year honors along the way. But as you'll hear in this conversation, Kim’s story extends far beyond being married to a successful trainer. We talk about growing up outside the traditional horse world, walking on to the Texas A&M Equestrian Team with little idea how much that single decision would change the course of her life, building confidence through challenge, learning business and sales from the ground up, and creating a life with intention along the way. This conversation is thoughtful, honest, funny in all the best ways, and full of insight about relationships, ambition, mentorship, and the people who shape us throughout our lives. Please welcome Kim Lyon. SHOW NOTES: Bud Lyon Performance Horses Newmark - Kim Lyon Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

Today’s conversation is one I will treasure for a very long time. This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Marilyn Peters — horsewoman, trainer’s wife, NRCHA and AQHA judge, mother, horse trainer, and truly one of my personal heroes. At 76 years young, Marilyn is still riding horses, breeding mares, and continuing the life she and her husband Pete built together over decades in the horse industry here in Oklahoma. But this conversation became so much more than horse training. We talked about the early days of AQHA and cow horse culture… how west coast influence eventually met Oklahoma and Texas… life on a historic Oklahoma homestead now being surrounded by a rapidly growing city… and the kinds of relationships that become much bigger than business and go on to shape generations within our western horse industry, both here and abroad. We also spent time talking about their friendship with legendary western artist Orren Mixer — a friendship that quite literally left its mark on their home and on their lives. As I sat surrounded by original Mixer artwork and stories from a generation that helped shape this industry, I kept thinking: this is why these conversations matter. To preserve the history, the people, and the heritage of the western equine industry before those stories are gone. Marilyn carries the kind of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime of showing up, working hard, loving horses, loving family, and staying rooted through changing times. It is my honor to share her story. SHOW NOTES: BAR JP Quarter Horses Episode Sponsors: Shorty's Caboy Hattery Finding Center Retreats Finding Center Brochure PDF The Jennifer Journals Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

This week’s episode is a little different — and really special to me. Over the last 35 years, today’s guest has helped shape the western equine industry - both literally & figuratively - one hat at a time through craftsmanship, consistency, relationships, and showing up for people. I’m incredibly thankful for partners like Shorty's Caboy Hattery, who believe in what I'm building through The Trainer’s Wife and Finding Center Retreats, and who continue to support women in the western industry. So today, I wanted to turn the microphone toward her story. Please welcome Shorty Koger to the show 🤍 SHOW NOTES: Shorty's Caboy Hattery Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

One of the things I hear over and over from women in this industry is this: “We love this life… but it’s a lot.” It’s a lot to support it.To build around it.To raise kids in it.And to figure out who you are inside of it. Today’s conversation with Kailey Gay is one I think a lot of you are going to recognize yourselves in. Kailey and her husband, Jason, have built their life in the Western equine world—balancing his career in the show pen with everything that comes with raising kids, managing a household, and the day-to-day behind the scenes. We talk about family, career, moving away from where you started, and what it looks like to grow into this role—not just as a trainer’s wife, but as a woman building a life alongside it. If you’ve ever felt the weight and the beauty of this lifestyle at the same time…this one will feel familiar. SHOW NOTES: Jason Gay Training AniCell Biotech Show Sponsor - Shorty's Caboy Hattery Finding Center Retreats Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

This episode is a collection of real moments from conversations with women across the western equine industry. Different lives… same themes:– carrying the behind-the-scenes weight– navigating pressure and expectations– learning to support, adapt, and keep going And somewhere in the middle of it all…finding connection, perspective, and a way to keep your cup full. This is what this life really looks like. SHOW NOTES: JEN & TAYLOR GILLESPIE TAMMY & LANCE JOHNSTON TRICIA & TRACER GILSON SOPHIE & BRANDON BUTTARS THE JENNIFER JOURNALS THE TRAINER'S WIFE & FINDING CENTER RETREATS Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

There are seasons in life where everything changes at once. For Jodie Scheffel, it wasn’t just one shift—it was all of it. From Clovis, California…to Rice Lake, Wisconsin.From independence…to marriage, motherhood, and building a life alongside a horse trainer. A new place.A new role.A completely new rhythm. And as she’ll be the first to tell you—she had to grow into it. In the middle of long winters, a young family, and the early days of a business that demanded everything they had…Jodie learned, in real time, how to step into the life in front of her. How to become a partner.A mother.A steady presence in something bigger than herself. And alongside her, Lance Scheffel—with over $312,000 in NRCHA earnings today,they have built more than a training program. Together, they’ve helped grow the cow horse community in the North Central Region BY showing up, bringing customers, and continuing to invest in a part of the countrywhere this way of life doesn’t come easy. Because the western way of life isn’t just rooted in the places you expect—it’s built by the people willing to live it, wherever they are. This is a story about growth, partnership, and building something that lasts. 🎙️ Jodie Scheffel on The Trainer’s Wife SHOW NOTES: LRS Performance Horses, LLC. Jodie on FB The Jennifer Journals Finding Center Retreats - email Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

✨This week on The Trainer’s Wife… something new ✨For the first time, we’re hearing from the other side of the story —a Trainer’s Husband. Meet Tucker Robinson.NRCHA Million Dollar Rider.Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion.Raised in a legacy — but built in his own way. And married to someone you already know. Tina Robinson —a cow horse trainer in her own right, with over $247,000 in NRCHA earnings… If you listened to Tina’s episode, you heard her side of the story… this week, you’ll hear his. Together, they’ve built a life — and a business — side by side. But what stood out most in this conversation wasn’t the accolades. It’s how he shows up… As a husband.As a dad.As a steady presence behind the scenes of a thriving business. Tina runs the books, the clients, the moving pieces.Tucker handles the cattle, the upkeep, and the day-to-day work that keeps the operation running. And somewhere in that divide… they’ve built something that works. Not perfectly.Not without challenge.But with steadiness, respect, and a quiet kind of support that doesn’t always get talked about. Their story isn’t centered on struggle.It’s grounded in gratitude —in remembering the people who helped them along the way,and continuing to build something meaningful together. This episode is a different perspective……and one I think a lot of you are going to recognize. ✨ SHOW NOTES: ⁠Robinson Performance Horses⁠ ⁠Finding Center Retreats⁠ ⁠The Jennifer Journals⁠ Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.

This week on The Trainer’s Wife… Episode 31  Some people grow up in this industry. And some… grow into themselves because of it. This week, I sat down with Tina Robinson — NRCHA professional, horsewoman, wife, and mom. With over $247,000 in NRCHA earnings and a career built over years in the show pen, Tina is someone this industry knows and respects.  But what stands out to me isn’t just what she’s accomplished. It’s who she’s become. I knew Tina early on — when she was just getting started.And like a lot of us at that age… she was figuring things out in real time. There were moments of frustration.Moments where things didn’t go as planned.And moments where she had to step back and take a hard look at herself. At one point, she was told to go home and do the work —to figure out what was underneath the anger and learn how to move forward differently.  And she did. She didn’t quit.She didn’t deflect it.She went to work on herself — and came back better for it. What followed were years of consistency…including nearly eight years in one program — a turning point that reflected just how much she had grown.  Today, Tina is someone who helps lead a program alongside her husband,guides clients, raises her daughter,and shows up as a woman others look to. Not because she’s perfect. But because she did the work to become steady, capable, and trusted. And for me—this one is personal. I remember her at the beginning.And now I get to share who she is today. SHOW NOTES: Robinson Performance Horses Finding Center Retreats The Jennifer Journals Hey everyone, and welcome to Season Two of The Trainer’s Wife. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for walking this journey with me — and if you’re new, I’m so glad you found us. This is where I sit down with the wives of professional horse trainers in the Western equine industry to share their stories — not just in the arena, but in life. We talk about how they show up for their families, their careers, their communities, and for other women. This podcast is a place to celebrate strong, brave, beautiful women whose roots run deep — and whose impact reaches far beyond the show pen. I’m so glad you’re here.