The Cocktail Cowgirl

Pia Steers may be known through her husbands iconic horse training brand, but she is one talented woman in her own right. I was so happy to have sat down with her and learn more about her back story and the journey from the young horse mad girl from the coast of WA to established vet, trainer, mother and all round super woman.

The founder of Fancy Lady Cowgirl, Courtenay Dehoff joined me for a chat at the NCHA Jubilee Futurity at Tamworth. Not only a humble, funny, down to earth woman, but she is living her legendary life and giving others the confidence to do so along the way. With many thanks to Equestrienne Magazine for supporting this episode.

I catch up with my friend Holly and chat about her life, from show ponies to running a full time breeding facility at the family property Kenallywood in Coleyville QLD. Holly shares with me our story of over coming cervical cancer and how it changed the dynamic of her life.

I was honoured to sit down with a living legend of the reining industry Warren Backhouse. A look back over his life and career, Warren shares the journey from starting out breaking in thoroughbreds with his family to running a full time reining barn. A humble, wise and kind family man who has had a huge impact on many.

At 9am we decided best not to start drinking, but feel free to get her a Bundy & Lemonade if you see her at the bar! Leah recalls how easily life can be taken away, with the loss of her mentor Ken May and how to always make every moment count with those you care about

In what will go down as my most dedicated effort ever to get an interview, I sit down with Leah Read and learn more about Australia's most dynamic female horse trainer. From the campdrafting arena to Australia's Greatest Horseman Finalist multiple years in a row, Leah gives good insight into what it really takes to stay consistent in your training program and a few good laughs along the way!

We catch back up at the after with Kat Obrien, although it was too early in the day for a cocktail, Kat just loves a simple CC and lemonade. We talk about Kat's life shaping her into the independent woman she is today, and how hard work never stops and you have to work hard to get what you want.

In this episode I sit down and get to know Kat OBrien. A very talented young trainer who is making her mark in the cow horse arena with multiple aged event wins already under her belt. Determination and an unwavering desire to make something of herself have seen her go from strength to strength and an even more exciting future ahead of her.

Scott Glover has been a huge influence to the western performance horse industry for many years. In this episode we talk about his journey from buying horses out of general auctions to importing and breeding some of Australia's most influential sires and his experiences along the way.

The after party is all about Cocktail making and deep convo's. Zoë shows me her favourite cocktail the Bloody Sour which is delicious, and we talk about the constant adversity she has endured and how no day is given so you have to grasp every moment and make it all count.

Zoë Vorenas shares her inspiring story. A diagnosis of MS at 17 years of age rocked her world, but through sheer determination and commitment she hasn't let it slow her down. I talk about her experiences in the Para Equestrian world and how she keeps focused being an elite athlete.

We may not have drunk any cocktails this time around, but a Gin & Tonic is on the cards! We have a very real conversation about the challenges of motherhood and the new perspective it brings.

Sophia Hill is a young hard working event rider based in the north east of Victoria. We catch up and chat about her determination and focus to become an elite level rider, ready to take on the world stage.

Are you even a cowgirl if your favourite drink isn't a Margarita? .A real chat about what its like to not feel included, but how finding your people is so important to the journey.

I catch up with young trainer Tyler Smith and find out about how she has navigated her way into the horse industry. We talk about mental strength and the steps she has taken to get to it, as well as branching out into other disciplines with her team of horses.

Gin & Tonics for the win at this after party. Sam runs us through some of her favourite cocktails, and also how she has navigated her way through tough life battles and how she has developed a strong mindset to keep her on track to achieving her goals

We step out of the western world and I catch up with the ever ambitious eventer Sam Cesnik of Spring Creek Equine. From bush bashing in the foothills of Mount Buller to taking a team of horses to compete internationally, her determination is something to be admired.

I catch up with non pro reiner Keiran Moses and talk about her journey in the industry over the last 23 years. A humble competitor who has inspired many riders.

David runs us through his favourite cocktail (The Pornstar Martini) and we chat about how adversity affects us all and what he has done to overcome this throughout his life.

Some know him as The Lead Change Master, others just know him as Norbs. A fantastic chat with one of the most influential trainers in the western performance horse industry.

After we sat down and had a few of Kate's favorite cocktails (The Moscow Mule) at the end of our chat, we had one final question. How has adversity affected your life? We have all had it one way or another and it is always insightful to learn how others have triumphed in the face of it

Our very first guest to the Cocktail Cowgirl Podcast is one of the countries leading female horse trainers & judges. Kate Elliot takes us through the early stages of her career, mentors and defining moments and how she maintains a positive mindset no matter what challenges she is faced. With thanks to Nu Too Much AQHA Sire for sponsoring this episode.

Just stopping in to say hello, a little introduction into what has brought this pod cast to fruition. The Cocktail Cowgirl Podcast is one girls dream to talk and drink cocktails with amazing people so here we are!