Horse Illustrated Magazine

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 21, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise talk all things BreyerFest, including Susan’s unboxing of childhood Breyers. Then, they talk with Amanda Delgado, owner of Athenian Lady, the 2024 BreyerFest Celebration Horse. Finally, they chat with Amanda Stevens, head trainer at the Humane Society of North Texas, about this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse, Takoda.

Click to listen on mobile.

Listen to Barn Banter episode 21 now to hear about Amanda’s journey with Athenian Lady, and stay until the end to meet Takoda.

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Amanda Delgado, Owner of Athenian Lady

Amanda Delgado is a lifelong equestrian who specializes in the rapidly growing discipline of western dressage. She graduated from St. Andrews University with a Bachelor of Arts in Equine Business Management and serves as an executive board member for the Western Dressage Association of America and is the president for the North Carolina Western Dressage Association.

In 2015, she rescued her mare Athenian Lady. Overcoming Athena’s dangerous temperament, injuries, and various health issues due to her neglect, Amanda trained Athena and has guided her to over 10 World Championship titles at the WDAA and PtHA World Shows in western dressage.

Amanda currently owns and operates Olympus Equestrian on a small farm near Fort Liberty, N.C., where they specialize in western dressage and stock horse events. She prides herself on putting equine welfare first and teaching kind, correct horsemanship methods. She coaches, trains, and is a clinician all over the Carolinas. She currently holds her NCSU open show cards in the Western, Hunter, Saddleseat, and Gaited divisions and is working on her USEF Western Dressage “r” and AQHA Level 1 cards.

◆ Olympus Equestrian on Instagram (@olympusequestriannc)

Takoda, Adoptable Horse of the Month

Takoda is a 23-year-old Quarter Horse cross available for adoption from the Humane Society of North Texas. He was a negotiated surrendered horse that HSNT rescued through a cruelty case last September, when he arrived in very poor condition with a body condition score of one. He also was blind in both eyes and needed to have his eyes removed.

Takoda has since regained all of his strength and is healthy; he has had both eyes removed and is doing amazing. He is a beloved horse at the ranch and HSNT is so excited for him to find his forever home.

Susan’s Childhood Breyers

At the beginning of the episode, Susan tells us about some childhood Breyer models she found in her sister’s basement. See below for the Breyers she revealed in her unboxing.

If you’re also intrigued by the Chincoteague Pony Penning Week photo portfolio by Shelley Paulson, grab a copy of the July issue of Horse Illustrated.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 21, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts.