A podcast and newsletter for every horse show-tired + muck boot-wearing mama who’s trying to figure out what the hell she signed up for. You’ve got questions, Venmo receipts and way too many saddle pads. And now, you’ve got a community that gets it. Join the Broke Horse Moms newsletter for weekly behind-the-scenes extras, show season survival tips, gear recs, horse mom life hacks, and everything we wish someone told us when our kids decided to 'try' horseback riding. Join our virtual barn family!
🐎 BHM: What Dover’s closing signals about equestrian retail
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Hi Reader, If you’ve been anywhere near horse social media this week, you’ve probably seen people talking about Dover Saddlery’s closures and liquidation sales. I've had teen girls begging for one last trip to our most local shop, moms asking when the 20% off will jump to 30% off, and myself...well, I've been remembering all the trips to Dover with Chloe and my mother-in-law. CORE memories, for sure. While we could all spend hours recounting the rites of passage our kids have celebrated at Dover, today's episode focuses less on the nostalgia and more about what it’s closing reveals about the equestrian industry as a whole. I sat down with Orchid Bertelsen of Back in the Saddle, who has been deep-diving into the Dover timeline, vendor issues, liquidation process, and the broader problems within equestrian retail and e-commerce. We talk about:
One of the biggest takeaways for me? Horse people are still spending money. The industry just hasn’t evolved fast enough to meet modern consumers where they are. As Orchid so eloquently put it: The bar is in hell for equestrian e-commerce. Girl ain't wrong. 😂 What Dover’s Collapse Reveals About Equestrian Retail w/Orchid Bertelsen 🎧 Listen on Apple SPEAKING OF TACK SHOPS... I mentioned two weeks ago that Big Dee's Tack and Vet Supply is officially the Presenting Sponsor of the Broke Horse Moms podcast. The main reason I reached out to them was because they somehow cracked the code on great customer service, fast shipping, and human support in the horse world...BEFORE I knew what was brewing at Dover. So, if you're stocking up on summer supplies, gear, or just stuffing your pony full of German Horse Muffins...be sure to use code BHM10 to get 10% off your ENTIRE order, including sale items (yes, I tested it!)! 👀 BTS: The Road to Pony Jumper Finals OUR GIRL IS QUALIFIED! 🎉 Last Saturday, Chloe and Phoebe headed to the Keswick Horse Show for their final qualifying class for Pony Finals and they crushed it. Great rounds, two first-place ribbons, and a very strong and happy looking pony after several weeks off during quarantine. ❤️ They skipped the Pony Jumper optimum time class in favor of the regular .80m jumpers because, according to Chloe: “If we’re driving two hours, I’m not doing optimum time.” 😂 Fair point, kid. Now we wait for the official invitation after the June application deadline which apparently is mostly a formality. But you know what’s NOT waiting on formalities? My creating a spreadsheet of our schedule at Finals, reserving our golf cart, and figuring out what the heck a 16-year old is supposed to wear for the 'jog. The Swag Barn is OPEN FOR BUSINESS! In addition to the ways you can support and partner with Broke Horse Moms as we document Chloe and Phoebe’s road to Pony Finals, (found here: https://brokehorsemoms.com/ponyfinals), we have also officially opened the BHM Swag Barn. 🎉 We launched with our flagship mantra, 'We thought it was a phase', on a variety of t-shirts first, because, dear reader, it was, in fact, NOT a phase. More designs and products are coming soon, but you can shop the first collection now and help support the podcast and Pony Finals journey at the same time. Shop the Broke Horse Moms Swag Barn Alright friend, that's it for this week. As always, thanks for being a part of this community. Inside leg, outside rein 🤷🏻♀️? P.S. Missed a newsletter? See previous posts here. |
BROKE HORSE MOMS
A podcast and newsletter for every horse show-tired + muck boot-wearing mama who’s trying to figure out what the hell she signed up for. You’ve got questions, Venmo receipts and way too many saddle pads. And now, you’ve got a community that gets it. Join the Broke Horse Moms newsletter for weekly behind-the-scenes extras, show season survival tips, gear recs, horse mom life hacks, and everything we wish someone told us when our kids decided to 'try' horseback riding. Join our virtual barn family!
Hi Reader, Today's episode with David Reichert, founder of UDJC (United Dressage and Jumping Club), includes a few hot takes. Exhibit A: within the first two minutes he told me Pony Finals was a waste of time and money. 😳 So, this is one you'll love to listen to. David grew up in Germany’s equestrian system and has some VERY strong opinions about the way kids are being developed in the U.S. horse world. Specifically: Why he thinks horse shows often reward expensive horses instead of good...
Hi Reader, A few weeks ago, I shared with you that we were heading to our first rated show of the season as a qualifier for Pony Finals. We made it there unscathed, aside from a very stressful wasp incident in the car on the way there (think: teenager driving, my sitting shotgun, 2 teens in the back, one of whom is VERY afraid of flying, stinging insects AND a wasp in the car). Chloe and her friends and the horses settled in nicely on Wednesday, competed well on Thursday and Friday and...
Hi Reader, You know that moment at a horse show when your kid is finally done with their rounds (4 hours after you thought they'd be done) and they suddenly disappear? Not to the barn.Not to find and hug and thank you. 🤣 But straight to the food truck to split chicken quesadillas and fries with their friends like it’s the best meal they’ve ever had? Yeah. That one. This week on the podcast, I’m getting very real about horse shows - the different types, the 'lingo', and how I approach them...