Episodes

If you listen to Life at Liberty, we need your help. We've put together a short survey. It’s for listeners only. Click this link to complete is under 3 minutes: Life at Liberty Podcast Survey Episode Summary There’s a moment in every horse person’s life where you realize this isn’t just about horses anymore. It’s about who you become because of them. In this special Ladies of Liberty panel from Liberty Festival 2025, Elizabeth James brings together a group of women who have built their lives a...

If you listen to Life at Liberty, we need your help. We've put together a short survey. It’s for listeners only. Click this link to complete is under 3 minutes: Life at Liberty Podcast Survey In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Cinelle Claassens sits down with Dr. Elizabeth James, founder of the International Liberty Horse Association (ILHA), for a milestone conversation about where the association is headed next. Elizabeth announces Cinelle as the new official host of the podcast and shar...

In this live episode of Life at Liberty during the 2025 Liberty Festival, Dan Steers and Tik Maynard gets into conversations that somehow manages to be equal parts actual horsemanship and absolute chaos (in the best way). Between dad jokes, Aussie/Canadian banter, and a legendary story about Dan James, they dig into what it really looks like to invest in your own learning, whether that’s training chickens to understand reinforcement, preparing for Road to the Horse, or simply figuring out how to...

In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Cinelle Claassens interviews Candice Snow, a champion freestyle performer. Candice shares her inspiring journey back to horses after nearly 40 years away, her experiences with Liberty training, and her preparations for the upcoming Invitational Freestyle. The conversation highlights the deep connection between horse and trainer, the challenges faced in training, and the joy of competing in freestyle events. Candice emphasizes that it's never too late to s...

In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Elizabeth speaks with clinician Kathy Baar about her journey in horsemanship, the concept of liberty, and the importance of building relationships with horses. They discuss the balance between competition and liberty, the role of mentorship, and the significance of biomechanics in training. Kathy shares insights on building confidence in both horses and humans, the evolution of the Liberty Festival, and the importance of finding one's 'why' in horsemanshi...

In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Cinelle Claassens interviews Jessica Blair Fowlkes, a dynamic performer in the equine industry. Jessica shares the highs, the wipeouts, and the lessons that only Liberty horses can teach. She talks about the pressure of competing in front of judges who know exactly what they’re seeing, why partnership always comes before performance, and the advice she gives every aspiring freestyle competitor. Highlights: How Jessica discovered Liberty Freestyle and wh...

In this episode of the Life at Liberty podcast, Dan James sits down with renowned Liberty performer Ben Atkinson to discuss the art of Liberty training, the challenges of performing with horses, and the upcoming Liberty Festival. They explore Ben's journey into Liberty training, the importance of foundational skills, and the mindset required for success in equine performance. The conversation also touches on the unique aspects of the Liberty Festival, the significance of perseverance in training...

In this episode of Life at Liberty, host Cinelle Claassens interviews Mirka Crew, a competitor in the upcoming ILHA Invitational Freestyle Competition happening at the 2025 Liberty Festival in Kentucky. Mirka shares her journey from the Czech Republic to becoming a prominent figure in Liberty training, discussing her early experiences with horses, the challenges she faced, and the importance of connection in training. She emphasizes the significance of self-doubt and how overcoming it has shaped...

Episode Summary: In this exciting episode, Dr. Elizabeth James is joined by both Dans of Double Dan Horsemanship—Dan James and Dan Steers—for a rare, wide-ranging conversation about their legacy, the evolution of Liberty horsemanship, and the deep bond that has fueled their partnership for nearly two decades. From the invention of the Liberty beanbag to the story behind their first horse that could sit on cue, this episode is filled with never-before-heard stories, unfiltered humor, and powerful...

In this episode of Life at Liberty - The Official Podcast of the International Liberty Horse Association, proudly sponsored by Brave Horse CBD, host Dan James from Double Dan Horsemanship sits down with renowned Liberty trainer, Steve Rother. Steve shares his unique journey, which began with wild BLM Mustangs and grew into a deep expertise in Liberty horsemanship. Through guidance from legends like John Lyons, Pat Parelli, and Bill Lawrence, Steve transformed from a mustang handler to one of the...

Looking for more than the standard interview? Ever wondered what happens when some of the world’s top horse trainers sit down for an unfiltered, candid chat? In this special episode of *Life at Liberty*, we bring you the Real Talk Roundtable from the 2023 Liberty Festival, featuring Ty Murray, Warwick Schiller, Ben Atkinson, and Georgie Atkinson. Join us as these renowned trainers dive deep into their personal journeys, training philosophies, and what fuels their passion for horses. This isn’t ...

In this inspiring episode of Life At Liberty - The Official Podcast of the International Liberty Horse Association, Dr. Elizabeth James sits down with the incredible Jennifer Hudock to explore her unique journey into the world of Liberty horsemanship. Despite not having a background with horses and facing the challenges of working alone with her horse, Sassy, Jennifer’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and pure grit. From starting with no trainer or local support, Jennifer’s unwavering det...

In this highly anticipated episode, join host Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship and Amber Marshall as they discuss her unexpected journey to landing the role of Amy Fleming, her passion for horses, and the challenges of portraying realistic storylines in the show! Get to know Amber beyond her iconic role and listen as she shares personal stories about her horses and how she spends her free time off-screen.

Advanced liberty training involves mastering foundational principles to execute complex movements with precision. Recorded at the 2023 Liberty Festival, this episode is full of incredible insights as Ben Atkinson and Dan James discuss their struggles, their triumphs, and the invaluable lessons of Liberty they’ve learned along the way.

The panelists,Warwick Schiller, Cathy Woods, Lorie Duff, and Dr. Andrew Turnbull touch on the significance of play in liberty training and elaborate on how shifting the mindset from work to play can foster a stronger connection between a horse and its handler. Each panelist emphasize on understanding the human mindset and how it aligns with liberty training can greatly impact the success of the practice. The psychological approach to liberty training also included discussions around essential as...

Morgan Wagner's life took an extraordinary turn when her beloved horse, Endo, lost not only his sight but both eyes. Together, they embarked on a journey of resilience and unwavering determination, defying the limitations that fate had dealt them. As the story unfolds, prepare to witness a remarkable testament of love, trust, and the endless spirit of a blind horse. You won’t believe all that Endo The Blind has accomplished because of Morgan’s endless resilience and you will be shocked at the th...

Say hello to Warwick Schiller, an acclaimed horse trainer who is far more interested in connecting with horses than training them. Originally from Australia, Warwick has developed a horsemanship style that emphasizes building authentic relationships between horses and humans. Warwick shares his endless pursuit of understanding horses combined with a compassion towards horse enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. You may know Warwick as the host of the industry favorite Journey On Podcast with a ...

Discover the extraordinary journey of Ty Murray, a nine-time World Champion, co-founder of the PBR and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, as he defies tradition and seeks a deeper connection with horses. Uncover the unexpected twist that led him to challenge age-old practices and embrace a harmonious approach to horsemanship. Get ready to be inspired by his story of transformation. In this episode, you will be able to: • Learn how adjusting your mindset and approach can bring a deeper connection ...

Life at Liberty is proudly produced by the International Liberty Horse Association. But what exactly is the International Liberty Horse Association? Who created it and why? Find out first hand from founders Dan & Elizabeth James in this episode.