Plaidchat: Elizabeth Letts, Three Mares, and Cara Cheska

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Plaidcast, Piper Klemm is joined by guests from across the equestrian world to talk about giving back to the sport, the relationship between horses and humans, and new opportunities for the next generation of riders. Elizabeth Letts Bestselling author Elizabeth Letts joins Piper to discuss her latest historical fiction novel, Fallen for France, and the experiences that shaped the story. Elizabeth shares how her lifelong connection to Morocco and her love of horses influenced the novel, which follows an Arabian mare taken from the Sultan’s palace to France during World War I. Piper and Elizabeth also explore the human-horse connection, the importance of observation and “feel,” and the value of stepping away from our increasingly digital lives to develop patience, empathy, and a deeper connection with horses. Three Mares Kendall Michaud and Carrie Kehring of Three Mares join Piper to discuss their mission to create positive change through equestrian sport. Three Mares acquires like-minded brands and uses profits and product donations to support organizations working to make sports safer, more accessible, and more inclusive. They share how the company supported 15 organizations with more than $151,000 in its first year, their goal of donating $1 million in products and profits over 10 years, and why supporting small businesses and positive stories within the equestrian community matters. Cara Cheska & the WIHS Pony Jumper Championships Cara Cheska joins Piper to talk about the rapid growth of the pony jumper division and the upcoming Washington International Horse Show Pony Jumper Championships, presented by World Wide Technology. Cara discusses how the division is creating new opportunities for ponies and young riders while teaching confidence, strategy, pace, and resilience. She also shares what riders can expect from the championship, where a limited field of 18 small, medium, and large ponies will have the opportunity to compete during Barn Night in a true championship atmosphere. theplaidhorse.com Thank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us. At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize. Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here. We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place. Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!