E07 - Go Eventing with John Kyle

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we take a deep dive into one of the sport’s crown jewels — the Badminton Horse Trials — and we do it with someone who is “the voice of the sport” in many ways, narrating competitions like the Olympics as well as 5*s like Kentucky and Badminton (plus plenty of miles commentating for other equestrian sports!).

🔎What’s Inside Episode 7?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by former eventing rider and current broadcast commentator John Kyle, who is based in the UK with his wife, Pippa Roome of Horse & Hound notoriety, but travels the world to bring his voice and knowledge to equestrian sports in virtually every country. This episode is a blend of event recaps and thoughtful conversations on what it takes to tell the story of eventing to the world — and John’s insights remind us that behind every memorable ride, there’s a story waiting to be told.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover...

• 03:12 - News & Notes: Event Recaps and Previews for Badminton, Adelaide, Tryon 4*, and Bicton Eventing Nations Cup

Sally and John touch on Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo's record achievement at Badminton, Hazel Shannon & WillingaPark Clifford's historic Adelaide win, Boyd Martin & Cooley Nutcracker's triumph at Tryon, and preview the Bicton FEI Eventing Nations Cup, where we'll see our US European Development Tour riders compete.

[The Flying Corgi at Badminton (please keep your dogs under control!)]

[Watch the FEI Eventing Nations Cup on FEI.tv]

• 54:57 - One Big Thing: Life as a Commentator & Management of Top Events

John gives us his background in eventing and his commentary career, how he prepares for a commentary session, and his advice to those interested in pursuing a similar career path. He and Sally also discuss how to promote events in a better way, prize money and public visibility with the FEI, and the biggest changes and areas for improvement in the sport.

[John Kyle Speaks]

• 02:02:45 - You Ask, We Answer: Feelings in the Booth, Equestrian Marital Conflict, and an Exorbitant Amount of Airline Miles

Listen in to hear the best event John's worked at, his pet peeves and anxiety in the booth, how many airline miles he has, and the conflicts that arise in sport discussions within his marriage to an equestrian editor.

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

• 02:14:43 - Finish Flags

Next up on Go Eventing: Adelaide winner Hazel Shannon and high-performance equestrian sports psychologist Natalie Hummel!

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Your voice matters! Share your thoughts, questions, and favorite Badminton moments with us — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at podcast@eventingnation.com.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let's make this your favorite barn commute listen.

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives