Kim Walnes

In this episode of Relatively Stable, I sit down with US Eventing Team equestrian, mentor, coach, and clinician Kim Walnes for a conversation that goes beyond riding.At its core, this podcast is about resilience. It’s about how we navigate hardship, forge deeper connections, and ultimately heal.Kim’s story embodies that mission in every possible way.*From competing at the highest levels of eventing with her legendary horse The Gray Goose to experiencing deep personal loss, Kim has always found ways to listen, adapt, and transform. Her journey is about defying expectations — both in the rigid world of elite equestrian sports and in life itself. But what sets her apart is not just what she has accomplished, it’s how she has listened to her inner voice, to the horses, and to something greater that encompasses all these things.This conversation is about the power of intuition, the courage to trust ourselves, and the lessons horses (and life) teach us when we are ready to listen. Whether you are an equestrian, an empath, or navigating your own difficult path, Kim’s words, and the wisdom of The Gray Goose and Gideon, offer something universal — a way to connect, heal, and move forward.The Unconventional Path: Finding Strength in Being DifferentKim’s journey was never traditional. She was the first mother of young children to actively compete on the U.S. Eventing Team, proving that motherhood and ambition were not mutually exclusive. Her partnership with The Gray Goose defied conventional wisdom. He was seen as difficult, an impossible horse, and yet through trust and understanding they became one of the world’s most formidable teams.Her story is a testament to the idea that success is not about forcing ourselves into a mold but about learning to work with what makes us unique.The Horse-Human Connection: Listening Beyond WordsMany of us are drawn to horses because they make us feel something deeper than words can explain. But Kim takes that a step further. Through The Gray Goose, she learned that horses respond not just to what we do, but to what we feel and believe.Her current partnership with Gideon Goodheart show us even more deeply that horses —* Understand our emotions.* Hold space for our grief.* Guide us toward healing — if we are open to hearing them.This episode challenges us to reconsider how we see our relationships with animals and with the world around us.If we listen differently, what else might we hear?Overcoming Trauma: Finding Purpose in LossKim’s life has been shaped not just by triumphs, but by deep loss. She shares how the tragic death of her daughter, Andy, led her on a journey to reconnect with the world and with herself.. Her grief is profound and in the beginning it blocked her from feeling any connection at all. It was in silence and stillness that she began to hear Andy’s presence.For anyone who has ever felt lost in grief, Kim’s story offers hope: healing is not about moving on but learning to exist in a new way, where love is not lost, but transformed.Trusting the Inner Voice: What Happens When We ListenThroughout her life, Kim has followed an unshakable inner voice, even when it made no sense to others. She taught The Gray Goose to jump on command without an obstacle which was something that later saved them in competition.She listened to Gideon when he told her she needed to learn more before they could begin their true work. She has trusted the unseen, and in doing so, she has discovered a depth of connection and understanding that most of us never access.How often do we ignore that inner voice that tells us to change direction and trust? What happens when we don’t?This conversation challenges us to stop dismissing those quiet nudges, to start listening, and to notice how life shifts when we do.Gideon’s Final Message: Heart LoveGideon offers something profound: Heart Love.* It is not conditional.* It does not waver based on circumstances.* It is the force that heals.This love is not something we need to chase. It is already within us and we only need to learn how to access it. When we stop resisting peace, when we stop filling our lives with noise, we realize it has been waiting for us all along.For those who are searching—for connection, for healing, for something beyond themselves—this message is a reminder: you already have everything you need. You just have to listen.About Kim Walnes:Kim Walnes competed on her legendary horse, The Gray Goose, in both Europe and the United States as a member of the US Equestrian Eventing Team from 1980 to 1986. Their career highlights include:🏅 Ranking third in the world🏅 Winning Team and Individual Bronze Medals at the World Three-Day Event Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany🏅 Winning the United States National Championships at Rolex in Lexington, KY🏅 Placing second at the CCI* in Boekelo, Holland🏅 Competing at the World Championships in Australia🏅 Serving as alternates for the 1984 OlympicsKim trained under some of the most respected figures in eventing, dressage, and show jumping, including Jack LeGoff, Bert deNemethy, Sally Swift, Anne Kursinski, Melanie Smith Taylor, Pam Goodrich, Gunnar Ostergaard, Jessica Ransehousen, Bettina Drummond, Col Christian Carde, Linda Tellington-Jones, and Jean Claude Barry.Beyond competition, Kim and The Gray Goose appeared as doubles in the movie Sylvester, where she also served as Technical Advisor and co-authored the corresponding book. She is also featured in Sally Swift’s Centered Riding II.In 2012, The Gray Goose was inducted into the US Eventing Association Hall of Fame.After The Gray Goose passed away, Gideon Goodheart became Kim’s partner—not just in riding, but in life coaching and spiritual work. Today, Kim and Gideon share their insights with a dedicated community, offering clinics, consultations, animal communication, and coaching to those seeking deeper understanding in their connections with animals and people alike.Links & Resources Mentioned:🔗 Connect with Kim Walnes: The Way of the Horse and Facebook🔗 Book Recommendations: (affiliate links) Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson, Understanding is the Key by Gabi Newrohr, Song of Increase: Listening to the Wisdom of Honeybees for Kinder Beekeeping and a Better World by Jacqueline Freeman🔗 The Gray Goose Documentary First Look: The Gray: The Kim Walnes Story🔗 Follow Relatively Stable for More Episodes.Stay Connected:💬 Join the conversation on Substack | Facebook | Instagram🎙️ Subscribe to Relatively Stable wherever you get your podcasts📩 Subscribe to Stable Roots for weekly deep-dives into growth, healing, and transformation.If this episode evokes a sense of kinship with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with others. Healing starts with connection, and when we share these stories, we help create a world where resilience, love, and transformation are possible for all of us. Get full access to Stable Roots at stableroots.substack.com/subscribe