The Long Ride Home

Send a MessageIn this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner sits down with Emma Hudelson, author of Sky Watch, for a conversation about horses, writing, and the lasting pull of the American Saddlebred.Emma shares how her fascination with Sky Watch deepened after seeing footage of the legendary horse at the American Saddlebred Museum, and how that moment led her into years of research, interviews, and writing. What began as a search to better understand one of the breed’s most iconic horses became something more personal: a reflection on her own return to riding and the memories, questions, and emotions that came with it.Together, Alex and Emma talk about the story behind Sky Watch, the generosity of horsemen like Mitch Clark and Don Harris, and the challenge of writing about a figure whose legacy still looms large in the Saddlebred world. They also explore Emma’s journey back into the saddle as an adult, from lesson programs and first horses to motherhood, loss, and finding her place in the sport again.This episode is both a look at Saddlebred history and a conversation about what it means to come back to something that shaped you. It’s about the horses who stay with us, the stories that ask to be written, and the long road back to the saddle.In this episode, Alex and Emma discuss:03:35 - How Sky Watch came to life07:04 - Why Sky Watch remains such a powerful figure in Saddlebred history15:52 - Emma’s return to riding as an adult21:39 - The emotional reality of horse ownership, rehoming, and loss26:57 - Relearning how to ride and what the body remembers29:49 - Balancing riding, writing, and motherhood34:16 - Finding her next horse and stepping into a new chapter38:12 - Thoughts on the future and visibility of the Saddlebred industryConnect with Emma:Website: https://www.emmahudelson.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/efhudelson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/efhudelsonFollow us on Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife

Send a MessageIn this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner sits down with her trainer, Andrea Harry, Owner of Meraki Farm, for a conversation about horsemanship, timing, and the journey that brought them together.As a key part of Alex’s return to the saddle, Andrea shares more about her own journey in the American Saddlebred world and the road that led her to become a trainer. She reflects on her early start in the industry, the horses and experiences that shaped her, and what it has meant to build her own barn and community. The conversation also explores how her path came to intersect with Alex’s at this chapter of her return to the saddle. Together, they talk about young horses, returning amateurs, memorable wins, and the perspective Andrea brings to both the sport and the people within it.In this episode:00:33 - Alex welcomes her trainer, Andrea Harry of Meraki Farm01:20 - How Andrea got her start in riding at Mercer Springs Farm03:50 - What it looked like to start her own barn in 201905:23 - Building an all-women training barn and client community09:12 - The story of Johnny Boy and the horse that changed everything14:26 - Why returning amateurs are such an important part of Andrea’s program16:15 - How Andrea matches riders with the right young horse and path forward19:39 - What Alex and Andrea are watching for as Chapstick begins his show journey20:44 - A fun but real conversation about bringing more visibility to the sport21:53 - Why awareness remains one of the biggest challenges in the Saddlebred world23:23 - Andrea’s perspective on participation, breeding, and the future of the industry26:53 - What it means to find the right trainer, the right horse, and the right home barnConnect with Andrea:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ladyharry/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.wolkoff Connect with Meraki Farm:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merakifarmllc/ Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast #americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #equestrianlife

Send a MessageIn the very first episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner shares the deeply personal story behind her return to the American Saddlebred world after 26 years away.From her final memory of walking out of Freedom Hall at 15 years old to the moment she realized it was finally time to come back, this episode is about far more than horses. It is about identity, timing, courage, and what happens when something that shaped you never fully lets you go.Alex opens up about growing up in the Saddlebred industry, stepping away from the sport, and building a full life and career before finding her way back to the barn. She also shares how that return began to take shape, from researching barns and building a budget to finding her trainer, Andrea Harry of Meraki Farm, and ultimately purchasing her new young horse, Son of a Kiss, barn name Chapstick.This episode also introduces the heart behind the podcast itself. The Long Ride Home is not only about Alex’s return to the saddle. It is about the people, stories, and future of the American Saddlebred industry. Through honest conversations with riders, trainers, breeders, and returning amateurs, the show aims to honor where people come from while exploring what still calls them forward.Whether you have been part of this world for years, are finding your way back to it, or are simply curious about the people and passion behind it, this is where the journey begins.In this episode, Alex shares:0:33 - Alex reflects on the moment she left Louisville and why it stayed with her for 26 years4:20 - The mindset shift that finally gave her the courage to return5:05 - The emotional and practical realities of coming back to the sport as an adult8:05 - How she found her trainer, Andrea Harry, and Meraki Farm10:03 - The story behind finding Chapstick, her young five-gaited prospect11:45 - What it’s like to relearn riding in a completely different season of life17:45 - Why the Saddlebred industry needs more visibility and fresh interest20:00 - The deeper purpose behind The Long Ride HomeFollow along as the journey continuesEpisode 2 will feature a conversation with trainer Andrea about her path in the industry, her program, and what it means to run an all-women training barn in today’s Saddlebred world.Follow us on Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaddlebredpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesaddlebredpodcast#americansaddlebredpodcast #saddlebredindustry #thelongridehomepodcast