PODCAST
This podcast isn’t about training methods, competition results, or the latest gear.
It’s about what happens beneath the surface; where the breath softens, the awareness sharpens, and the horse becomes a mirror.
The Equestrian’s Inner Life is a sacred space for riders who feel that their time in the saddle is more than sport; it’s soul work. It’s for those who sense that every ride is part of something bigger. Something deeper. Something timeless.
Hosted by equestrian Dressage rider and author Pernille Hogg, this podcast weaves together the language of science and the language of soul. It’s where quantum mechanics meets emotional energy, where superposition becomes a metaphor for possibility, and where the breath, the pause, the half halt reveal themselves not just as riding aids, but as portals into presence.
In this space, we don’t teach you how to ride; we invite you to explore why you ride… and who you become through it.
Because if you’ve ever felt that your horse was trying to show you something; not just about the ride, but about yourself; you’re not imagining it. You’re awakening to the truth that:
The horse is the source.
The horse is the mirror.
The horse is the rider’s reflection.
This podcast is built around honest, often vulnerable conversations with equestrians, coaches, and thought leaders who are walking their own inner path. Each guest shares how their connection with the horse has transformed not just their riding, but their way of being in the world.
We talk about breathwork, nervous system regulation, and mindset shifts. We talk about trust, grief, joy, resistance, and rhythm.
We talk about the razor’s edge of balance, where alignment lives and magic begins. We explore the idea that riding is not a linear path; but a spiralling one. One that circles ever inward and ever outward, asking more of us as we grow.
You won’t find judgment here. You won’t find rules or formulas or pressure to perform.
What you will find is a steady, gentle call back to yourself. Because how we show up in the saddle is how we show up in life. And if we can learn to ride with more presence, more patience, and more soul; then maybe, just maybe, we begin to live that way too.
If that resonates with something deep in your bones; If you’ve ever felt the breath catch in your chest at the feel of a horse’s heart next to yours; If you’re ready to explore not just what you do with your horse, but who you are with your horse; Then welcome. You’ve found your place — through stories lived and shared.
Take a breath.
Feel the pause.
Listen for the half halt.
And ride the way you want to live.
Ep 1. Mary Hanna
The Enduring Flame
Some riders are defined by their results—but others, like Mary Hanna, are defined by their legacy. With a career spanning more than three decades and six Olympic Games, Mary’s presence in the equestrian world goes beyond achievement. It’s a story of devotion: to the horse, to the craft, and to a lifelong pursuit of harmony.
In this opening conversation, Mary shares her reflections on resilience, the classical roots of riding, and the quiet steadiness that has carried her through both triumph and challenge. Together, we explore what it means to evolve with grace, to stay the course, and to remain in love with the horse through every season of life.
Ep 2. Brett Parbery
From Rodeo to International Dressage Rider
Brett Parbery is known as one of Australia’s most accomplished dressage riders. While his natural feel has always been evident, what sets Brett apart is his ability to put that feel into words—creating structure and systems that help riders understand and apply the principles of high-level dressage through his Performance Rider program.
Unlike many, Brett’s path into dressage began somewhere different, in the dust and rhythm of the rodeo. That early foundation gave him more than balance in the saddle—it gave him timing, feel, and a connection that runs deeper than technique. In this conversation, we explore the spaces between instinct and refinement, the body–mind connection, and what it truly means to become one with the horse—not just through training,
but through transformation.
Ep 3. Rafael Soto
The Artist of Lightness
There are riders who train horses—and then there are riders who dance with them. Rafael Soto is one of the great classical masters of our time, a man whose riding doesn’t just follow principles but brings them to life with lightness, presence, and soul.
From the traditions of the Spanish Riding School in Jerez to the international stage, Rafael’s work has inspired riders and audiences around the world—not only for its technical brilliance but for the joy and harmony it awakens. To watch him ride is to witness art in motion. In this conversation, we explore the deeper language of classical riding—where timing becomes feel, movements become music, and every
gesture carries meaning.
Ep 4. Steffen Peters
The Art and Soul of Steffen Peters
Few riders in the world embody quiet mastery the way Steffen Peters does. A six-time Olympian and one of the most respected dressage riders of our time, Steffen is celebrated not only for his extraordinary achievements in the arena, but for the artistry and soul he brings to every partnership.
In this conversation, we explore the inner landscape of performance — how he balances the pressures of competition with the work of staying centred, what his horses have taught him about presence and resilience, and the wisdom that comes from a lifetime dedicated to the equestrian path.It’s a conversation about medals and moments, yes — but above all, about what it truly means to connect with a horse.
Ep 5. Roger Fitzhardinge
The Chronicler of Horses and Riders
Few voices in the equestrian world carry such warmth and wisdom as Roger Fitzhardinge. Judge, teacher, writer, and storyteller, Roger has devoted his life to the horse and to the riders who seek connection with them. As he once wrote, “The horse must learn to trust the rider’s aids, to understand the language of balance and lightness, and the rider must learn patience enough to let that language grow.” These words capture the spirit of his work — reminding us that horsemanship is as much about heart as it is about skill.
Ep 6. Bruce Goodin
Beyond the Arena: Five Olympics and a Lifetime of True Horsemanship
From the green pastures of New Zealand to the great arenas of Europe, Bruce Goodin’s journey is one of quiet strength, enduring passion, and timeless horsemanship. A five-time Olympian now based in Sweden, Bruce has dedicated his life to the art of showjumping guided by countless horses, each one a teacher deepening his understanding of balance, respect, and the lifelong equestrian journey.
Through triumphs and trials, including serious injury, he’s shown what true resilience looks like — returning to the saddle again and again with calm focus and unwavering love for the horse. In this conversation, we explore not only the great moments of sport but the subtler lessons, the ones that live between the fences, in the feel, and in the quiet dialogue that emerges when we
learn to listen.
Ep 7. Susie Whitcombe
The Spirit of a Life Lived with Horses
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Few lives could rival the adventure and artistry of Susie Whitcombe’s. A painter, a rider, a pilot, a race car driver, a wife and mother — and always, an equestrian at heart.Through every chapter of her life, horses have been her constant presence — grounding her, inspiring her, and reflecting the spirit that moves through her art.
In this conversation, we explore how Susie’s love of horses has shaped her way of seeing the world — how the courage, freedom, and sensitivity of the horse mirror her own creative journey. Her paintings are not just depictions, but living expressions of experience, connection, and truth.It’s a story of adventure and artistry, of devotion and daring — and of a woman who has followed the horse as her guiding muse through every landscape of her life.
Ep 8. Jan Bemelmans
A Master’s Touch
A Reitmeister of rare calibre, Jan Bemelmans bridges the timeless wisdom of classical training with the demands of modern sport. From guiding national teams to Olympic medals to cultivating harmony between horse and rider, Jan’s lifelong devotion to the art of dressage has inspired generations.
In this conversation, we explore the lessons behind his remarkable journey — the meaning of true connection, the evolution of the sport, and what it really takes to bring out the best in both horse and human.
Ep 9. Wendy Murdoch
The Importance of Inner Alignment
For over three decades, Wendy Murdoch has been guiding riders toward a deeper, more embodied understanding of themselves — and their horses. As the creator of Ride Like A Natural, founder of the SURE FOOT® Equine Stability Program, and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Wendy’s work bridges the worlds of science, somatics, and horsemanship.
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In this conversation, Wendy shares how true mastery in riding begins within — by awakening awareness, balance, and the effortless flow that arises when body and mind move as one. Her own journey, sparked by a life-changing riding accident, led her to explore how healing, re-patterning, and conscious movement can transform not just how we ride, but how we feel and connect.
Together, we explore the mysteries of alignment, asymmetry, and the nervous system’s role in creating harmony in motion. Wendy shows us that becoming the best rider we can be isn’t about control — it’s about becoming a willing instrument: sensitive, centred, and alive to every moment with our horse.
Ep 10. Melissa Galloway
The Power of a Dream Realised
Melissa Galloway has become one of New Zealand’s brightest lights in international dressage — a rider whose determination and love for her horses have taken her from humble beginnings to the world stage.
As New Zealand’s highest-ranked dressage competitor, Melissa’s journey reached a new height at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she and her beloved horse Joey (Windermere J’Obei W) set a national Grand Prix record. Yet behind that achievement lies years of unwavering belief, overseas training, and a partnership built on trust and time — since Joey was just two years old.
Now in her early thirties, Melissa stands at a remarkable turning point. To have already represented her country on the Olympic stage is both a milestone and an opening — a doorway to what comes next. The experience has not only affirmed her place among the world’s elite riders but also expanded her vision of what’s possible, both for herself and for New Zealand dressage.
In this episode, we talk about the path that led her there — the highs, the lessons, and the quiet moments in between. We explore what it takes to stay true to yourself when new doors begin to open, and how purpose, presence, and heart continue to guide her forward.
ABOUT ME
Pernille Hogg
Pernille Hogg is a lifelong equestrian and competitive dressage rider with a deep passion for the human-horse connection. Born in Denmark and raised on a property near Copenhagen, she grew up surrounded by horses,
inspired by her mother, a highly accomplished equestrian. From an early age, riding became more than just a skill, it became a way of life, shaping her personal growth and professional path.
Now living in Australia with her husband and three children, Pernille’s love for horses extends far beyond the physical act of riding. She is deeply fascinated by the internal experience of the equestrian, the emotions, thoughts, and personal transformations that take place in the saddle.
Recognising that true connection and effective riding begin with the ability to organise and manage the body, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and mastery. This path led her to explore breath work, Gravity Yoga, and results coaching—practices that not only revolutionised her riding but also created lasting change in her life.
Now a Certified Breathwork, Gravity Yoga, and Results Coach, she combines her knowledge of these disciplines with decades of equestrian experience to help riders unlock their full potential. Pernille delves into the often unspoken aspects of riding, exploring why humans form such deep bonds with horses and what compels them to ride for a lifetime.
Through her unique perspective, she invites readers and listeners to reflect on their own equestrian journey and discover the transformative power of presence, connection, and breath in the saddle
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