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HORSEGIRLTV.COM = THE MOST WELL-PRODUCED EQUESTRIAN PODCASTS WE KNOW OF Recently Campus Equestrian posted a review of on-line service the Nicker Network. We are generally pleased with the diversity which the Nicker Network offers. A great way to follow equestrian events around the world indeed. However it does not have the one quality that Campus Equestrian seeks in both equestrian and non-equestrian-related webcasts/podcasts, and that quality is 'Warmth.' To their defense Warmth is found on Television in comedies, talk shows and family programing, something that coverage of a sporting event, be it equestrian or otherwise, may not easily lend itself to. Until recently we had never seen anything resembling television or 'moving pictures' delivered on-line for horse enthusiasts that could be called a proper 'Series,' i.e. something with regularly-scheduled broadcasts and some continuity between the installments. And save for some one-time-only scenerios, we were still looking for 'Warmth' in an equestrian webcast. We recently came across a website called HorseGirlTV.com which is a vehicle for a series of webisodes/podcasts bearing the same name. To our surprise and delight installments of HorseGirlTV have all the qualities we had yet to find until now, as the twice-monthly series of near-ten-minute podcasts has the warmth and humor that other equestrian programing series sadly lack. We knew we were on to something when HorseGirlTV host Angelea Kelly Walkup interviewed dressage rider Tiffany Tyler about her experiences in Holland grooming for Anky Van Grunsven. The interview not only left intact Tyler's not-so-eager reaction to having to respond to viewer mail it also included a humorous, animated cutaway following one of Tyler's responses (when Tyler talked about Chemistry between horse and rider, suddenly a chemist wearing a lab coat while holding a beaker of fluid was confronted with an animated, angry-looking noisy horse!). Walkup's interview with Tyler was quite informative, including the latter's advice on braiding. Other installments had us laughing out loud, such as when Walkup went out on patrol with the Prince William County (VA) Mounted Police. Highlights included a parody intro/outro of 'Cops,' well-placed stock footage of the cavalry and some very funny stories from the mounted police officers themselves. Though humor plays a part, the interviews are the bread-and-butter of each episode. Walkup's recent interview with Chronicle of the Horse Publisher Robert Banner Jr. went beyond the scope of the magazine to discuss some of his personal equestrian passions. By visiting either HorseGirlTV.com or HorseGirlTV's iTunes channel (found at http://itunes.horsegirltv.com) one can watch nearly every episode of HorseGirlTV to date. With all but one installment running between five and ten minutes one may easily view six or seven episodes in under an hour. Besides the webisodes/podcasts themselves the HorseGirlTV.com website contains considerable information about programing, contests and Walkup's blog, which devotes considerable time to her husband Joel and their dachshund Picollo in addition to her horse-related activities. One other feature, somewhat cryptically referred to as "The Buzz," allows equestrian professionals to provide commentary on a subject of their choice. Walkup, who was raised in Texas and graduated from Southern Oregon University (sadly before they had an IHSA team), kindly agreed to an interview so that we could find out more about how HorseGirlTV came into being and what to expect in the near future. Campus Equestrian: When was the idea of HorseGirlTV Born? Angelea Kelly Walkup: The idea for HorseGirlTV was born over lunch with my former boss Labor day weekend 2006. I was telling him about how I wanted to revolutionize the horse world and the way entertainment and news was delivered to horse enthusiasts. Campus Equestrian: What were some of the early obstacles in getting HorseGirlTV on the air? Angelea Kelly Walkup: Branding took quite a long time. I knew it had to be special, forward thinking with the ability to reach a broad demographic. We went through about five major rounds of styles, color combos across a series of graphic artists and biz dev folks. CE: Do you have a favorite installment of HorseGirlTV thus far? AKW: I have truly loved doing them all so it's hard to pick just one. I really enjoyed riding along with the mounted police but experienced equal joy and education from the reining lesson and interview. It was a definite thrill to be at The Hampton Classic as well as the Gold Cup and I've met some of the nicest people during my fox hunting series. So I guess no there's not really just one favorite. CE: Did any shoot in particular go extremely well, or for lack of a better term, 'off-course?' AKW: Hmmm? We have had little obstacles here and there but nothing that was horrific. I'd have to say my interview with Chris Robbins at The Hampton Classic was just stellar. Chris was so much fun to talk with. The minute the cameras were on, so was he and it was a completely engaging conversation. It didn't hurt that we were VIP between the two amazing show jumping and hunter rings! CE: Animation plays a part in most segments of HorseGirlTV. Where did the idea to include animation (Bandaged Horses, a Fox eluding the hunt, etc.) come from? AKW: My editor extordiaire creates our animations. He's brilliant! I wanted to throw in something fun (or funny) into each episode if possible. I never wanted to take myself or the show too seriously as it's about education - but fun education - and the animations and cute cut-aways really help lighten it up.
CE: In the first 2008 segment of HorseGirlTV (entitled "HorseGirlTV 2.0") over 20 categories appear on animated billboards. So far several of these categories have been featured in early 2008 installments of the series. If a category did not appear on one of these billboards could it still be the focus of an installment during calendar year 2008? AKW: Yes. The line up as shown in HorseGirlTV 2.0 was the tentative line up for 2008 but we're always open to exciting new ideas for episodes. There's no lack of material and everything can get worked in at one point or another. I'd really like to do some collegiate stuff as well as get some more western pieces out there and our viewers are asking for more tutorial shows as with the braiding from the "Grooming for Anky" episode. CE: Can you give us any tidbits about what to expect in April? AKW: In April we're planning to launch proper boot fitting as well as a piece on saddles. We might throw in a more history-oriented piece on horse statues in our nation's capital as I've personally been wanting to highlight some of the amazing statues and their histories in DC. CE: It appears you have a solid background in Dressage, and judging by one of the early episodes, you are a good reiner. Can you describe your riding background a little? AKW: I grew up a 4-Her riding western and touching on english pleasure. It was always my dream to make it to the top of dressage and I have been fortunate enough to train with some of the best in the discipline in the last eight years and on some amazing partners. That dream was fulfilled two years ago after receiving my USDF Gold Medal and competing at the Grand Prix level. Thanks for the complement on my reining but I have only rode reining as a 4-Her on my very non-professionally trained pasture horse. I love watching reining and would be interested in doing it myself someday on a more serious level. CE: When will Picollo get his own Blog? AKW: Awwwww! Picollo had his own website several years ago, shortly after his surgery, called DoxyOnWheels.com and I was thinking about doing something with it once more. My husband and I have been talking about ways to breed out the IDD and other back problems faced by the breed by cataloging all the lines that produce IDD dachshunds. This could become a perfect venue for picollo to express his opinions and exciting weekly updates about the dog parks or life with a podcasting mom! (Editor's note: A new installment of HorseGirlTV will become available this week. Entitled "Following Hounds in the USA," this webisode will hopefully be the final in a series which has seen Walkup interview Fox Hunters, visit a Tack Shop to learn about the Fox Hunter's attire and hopefully actually ride out into the countryside and Fox Hunt. It is amazing that it has taken so long for someone to do it right, but we are grateful that HorseGirlTV has come along to set the bar for equestrian podcasting. All it took was a few ideas, some continuity, honest editing and a finished product that conveys a sense of warmth. ---Steve Maxwell HorseGirlTV Home Page: http://www.horsegirltv.com
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