The Stables at Heathers Farm

17/01/2025

Hakuna matata, dear listeners, we are going on safari in today's episode! For many of us the idea of a safari on horseback is a bucket list item. The idea of cantering alongside giraffes, or seeing the big five from the quiet of a horse is the stuff that dreams are made of, and our guests today bring that dream to life.

In 1998, today’s guest bought a farm in South Africa, with the intention of offering short rides around a local reserves. She and her partner quickly grew a reputation for excellent riding on well schooled horses, and their initial herd of seven horses grew to 33. Offering three different safari packages, the team has also grown and, today, telling us about life on a farm that focuses on offering horse back safaris is Gerti, the owner of Wait A Little safaris in South Africa, and Clare, the centre’s manager.

Close your eyes and travel with us... we can almost taste the sundowners!

We are free to listen to on all podcast platforms, but here's a link to make it easy for you: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/poles-piaffe-and-prosecco/id1711426987

Find out more about Wait A Little Safaris: https://waitalittle.co.za

Do you have a training and equestrian lifestyle question? Email us: [email protected].

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10/01/2025

✈️🌍POD DROP! 🌍✈️

Ever wondered what first class, business and economy looks like for a horse?

Last time, we met Jill and Zara from Zara’s planet, and we’ve spent the past week dreaming of sunshine, sangria and sparkling ponies. This week, we’re looking at the travel of horses themselves, and we don’t mean those just hopping across the channel. How do top competition horses arrive safely and ready to perform at international events, like the Olympics for example?

Our guest today is Henry Bullen from Pedens. Pedens transport horses of all value all over the world. We find out what first class, business and economy travel looks like for horses and the logistics behind it. Henry was a fascinating guest and we hope you enjoy the episode.

Tania answers more of your training questions and Katie has a gin taste test.

Listen for FREE wherever you get your pods.

Find out more about Pedens: https://www.pedenbloodstock.com/

Do you have a training and equestrian lifestyle question? Email us: [email protected].

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04/01/2025

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03/01/2025

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🌞🌞 POD DROP ALERT! 🌞🌞
It’s a known fact that January is the longest month of the year. It’s cold, it’s dark, it’s usually wet and we’re always broke. It’s no fun. Now, we could immerse ourselves in the gloom, but here at Poles, Piaffe and Prosecco HQ, we say no. We are refusing to succumb to the winter grizzles, and this month we are bringing the sunshine to you. It’s travel month on Poles, Piaffe and Prosecco!

Listen for FREE on all major podcast platforms, but here’s a link to Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/poles-piaffe-and-prosecco/id1711426987?i=1000682477327

Joining us in this episode are two ladies that specialise in chasing the blues away and when I say that’ve nailed the perfect career, they. Have. Nailed. It. They met as children in Scotland, where they were both under the tutelage of show producer, Jill Cousens. They grew up learning to ride together, and even spent a gap year grooming for show jumpers in Belgium. As life and corporate jobs took over, three things remained: their strong friendship, their love of horses and their love of travel. And the story doesn’t end there. As corporate roles lost their dazzle, a new business was borne - one that centres on those three important factors. Find out how Zara Stassin and Jill Dolan from leading equestrian travel company, Zara’s Planet, have made a career out of horses and travel, and listen to details of the amazing breaks they offer. You can almost feel the sunshine!

Tania talks about goal setting and spooky horses, and our drink is Champagne Tattinger.

Find out more about Zara’s planet: https://www.zarasplanet.com

Do you have a training and equestrian lifestyle question? Email us: [email protected].

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02/01/2025

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02/01/2025

Head of Rodent Control and Quality Control Supervisor Black Doris is checking out the beautiful new poles Farmer Gilmour bought me for Christmas. Inspire Dressage Official’s Poles & Prosecco clinics just got proper fancy! 👏🥂

28/12/2024

We would love to hear from all of our followers for this special pod episode!

Who was your equestrian first love, and who is the equestrian love of your life? We want to hear from YOU for a February pod. Send us a voice note on Spotify or Insta introducing yourself and telling us about your first equestrian love, and the equestrian love of your life. We can't wait to hear about it!
Here's a picture of a young Katie with Tinker, the riding club pony that stole her heart.

27/12/2024

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23/12/2024

Before we snuggle down in our Christmas grottos, here are our clinics for losing the mince pie bellies in January:

18 January: Poles and Prosecco with Inspire Dressage Official: £40/small group and £55/1:1. Fun, inclusive and you don’t have to put the poles away!

19 and 20 January: Tina Layton FABRS BHSI Dressage Clinic. £65/1:1 and £45/small group. Incredible trainer, and you get fab photos!

WhatsApp 07812 536996 to book or for more info. Join us! Don’t let the January blues get you down.

14/12/2024

🍷🤩🎅Christmas Pole Dancing & Mulled Wine 🍷🤩🎅
Join us at Heathers Farm (RH14 9BN) on Monday 23 December for a festive clinic of fun pole work with Inspire Dressage Official Tania Grantham and a glass of delicious mulled wine! Work off your Christmas dinner before you've even had it, which means you can have seconds, right?! Small groups in our floodlit, mirrored, outdoor 60x30 are £40 or £55 for 1:1.
WhatsApp 07812 536996 to book or for more information. 🥰

14/12/2024

Eek!

Well, so far I’ve written the header for the running order for our very special episode, which we’ll be recording at the Live Zone at the London International this coming Wednesday! Come and say hi at 1pm!

13/12/2024

🎅🎄Small furry pod drop! 🎄🎅

It’s the third of four special episodes dedicated to the London International Horse Show at Excel, and who doesn’t love the sight of small furry ponies racing around the arena? The Shetland Pony Grand National is an institution in its own right, and delights audiences every year. In this episode, Katie and Tania chat to Sebastian Garner, the man behind the Shetland Pony Grand National, and ex-jockey Claudia Groves about how it shaped her journey with horses.

Tania talks elbows and getting stains out of white jods, while Katie’s husband joins the duo to share his expertise on making delicious mulled wine.

Listen for FREE on all major podcast platforms. Here’s a link to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qPcs8FFosv3gvEMZys1dQ?si=JLV6QJWtQBqhZNLZwsgRmQ

We always need your training questions. Email us: [email protected].

Join us on socials:
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06/12/2024

🎄🎅POD DROP 🎅🎄

As we try to jolly Tania into finding her Christmas spirit, we continue our month celebrating the institution that is the London International Horse Show.

In this episode, Katie and Tania are joined by Chief Showing Steward Nigel Hollings and amateur show rider, Olivia Lyall. Did you know that amateurs can also compete at the London International and ride at such a huge show? That’s goals right there! Find out how you could qualify and discover the ins and outs of showing at the London International.

Our drink of choice goes a bit wrong this week, but we recover with some top training tips from Tania and plenty of giggles.

Listen for FREE on all major podcast platforms. Here’s a link to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0eIPwCGTghASR1ZPNm2qZE?si=y8QZFANjTSui3pQhi6ptZg

Get your tickets for the London International here: https://londonhorseshow.com/

Send us your training questions: [email protected].

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The London International Horse Show 2024 The London International Horse Show Inspire Dressage Official The Stables at Heathers Farm

03/12/2024

Wintery view through Sweetie’s ears today 🥶💖🍬

29/11/2024

🎄NEW EPISODE DROP… DON’T MISS THIS, LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW AT EXCEL FANS! 🎄

As the distant sounds of jingle bells and Mariah Carey come closer, we begin a month dedicated to the event that kicks off Christmas for equestrians everywhere: the London International Horse Show at Excel.

In today’s episode, Katie and Tania chat with Nick Brooks-Ward to find out the history of the show, from its beginnings at Olympia to its growth at Excel. Just how does the team take an exhibition hall and turn into an equestrian destination? Nick answers this question and shares some anecdotes involving camels… Do not miss this interview!

Listen for FREE on all major podcast platforms. Here’s a link to Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/poles-piaffe-and-prosecco/id1711426987?i=1000678583312

Tania brings more training tips and we catch up with Rocky.

Get your tickets for the London International here: https://londonhorseshow.com

Send us your training questions: [email protected].

Join us on socials:
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YouTube: Poles Piaffe & Prosecco Podcast

22/11/2024

We’re back at Demon, Wise & Partners to bring you the final Christmas cocktail to you to jazz up your Christmas party! This time, it’s a real classic with a strong story behind it.

Listen for free on all major podcast platforms, but for ease, here’s the link to Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/poles-piaffe-and-prosecco/id1711426987?i=1000677854138

Learn these fab cocktails to impress your yard mates. Watch how to make this week’s cocktail by subscribing to our You Tube channel: Poles Piaffe & Prosecco Podcast.

Find out more about Ru’s bar: https://www.demonandwise.co.uk/

Tania talks about working horses in hand, horses on holiday and changing lead through trot.
Next time, we begin a month of the London International Horse Show at Excel. Don’t miss it!

We always need your questions. Email us: [email protected].

Join us on socials:
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YouTube: Poles Piaffe & Prosecco Podcast.

19/11/2024

We had a super clinic with Tina Layton FABRS BHSI last weekend. Sweetie found a new trot gear and was va va vroom! Tina was pleased with all combinations, with our little jockeys working through their NSEA tests in their sessions. Keep an eye on our page for dates of the next clinic! 💖