OEP 37: Diversity Is The Answer with Lydia Heywood & McKrell Baier

In this episode, Tamara is joined by Lydia Heywood, founder of Cool Ridings in England and international eventing rider for Jamaica, and McKrell Baier of Bridge Up Giddy Up and the US Equestrian Society. Together, the three dig into what it really takes to grow and sustain equestrian sport — from building inclusive communities at the grassroots level, to the very real threat of horse sport losing its place in the Olympics. Lydia shares her journey that led to competing internationally, and the leap she just took to run Cool Ridings full time. McKrell and Lydia reflect on how much they have in common despite coming from very different worlds, and why diversity isn't just a feel-good idea — it's the answer to nearly every challenge the equestrian world is facing right now.You can follow Lydia Heywood of Cool Ridings Equestrian on social media, or visit ⁠coolridings.com⁠ to learn more.You can follow McKrell Baier’s Bridge Up Giddy Up program and the US Equestrian Society on Instagram, or visit ⁠us-es.org⁠Don't Forget To Follow, Subscribe, and Rate Optimized Equine Podcast! Stay Connected at ⁠TamaraLeeBarrett.com⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Lydia Haywood02:12 Lydia's Journey in Equestrian Sports04:47 The Impact of Cool Ridings08:15 Insights from the US Equestrian Event09:52 Building Community in Equestrian Sports12:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Equestrianism15:09 The Importance of Representation17:29 Transitioning to Full-Time Equestrian Work24:45 Creating Accessible Equestrian Experiences27:23 Navigating Competitions29:38 The Future of Equestrian Sports36:34 The Power of Diversity in Equestrianism39:54 Defining Correctness in Equestrian Practices45:39 Global Perspectives on Equestrian Education51:19 Three Wishes for the Equestrian World