Developing Young Horses ; Is it A Lost Art? | Hannah Bedwell Stone | Ep 61

In this episode of the **Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast**, Alexis and I sit down with our longtime trainer, Hannah Stone of Stone Performance Horses, for one of our most honest conversations yet. Hannah has spent years developing hunters, jumpers, and all-around horses in both the USEF and AQHA worlds, and she's sharing what she's learned from training horses—and riders—at every level.

We talk about Hannah's journey into professional horse training, what she looks for when matching horses with adult amateurs, and why temperament is often more important than raw talent. We also dive into the realities of developing young horses, building confidence in the saddle, and the daily work that happens long before anyone steps into the show ring. Whether you're an adult amateur, a young rider, or simply passionate about horses, this conversation offers an inside look at the challenges, rewards, and relationships that define life in the equestrian world. In this episode, we discuss:

• Hannah's journey from junior rider to professional horse trainer

• The differences between the AQHA and USEF hunter/jumper worlds

• What makes a great horse for an amateur rider

• Developing green horses with confidence and consistency

• Why personality and temperament matter more than talent alone

• Building trust and communication between horse and rider

• The "homework" riders should be doing between lessons

• How confidence affects both horses and riders

• Motherhood, business, and balancing life as a professional trainer

• Behind-the-scenes realities of training horses for a living If you've ever wondered what separates a good horse trainer from a great one—or what professionals really think about developing horses and riders—this episode is for you.

Be sure to subscribe for more conversations about horse showing, the hunter/jumper world, Quarter Horses, training, and the real experiences of adult amateur equestrians. #Equestrian #HorseTrainer #AdultAmateur #HunterJumper #AQHA #USEF #HorseTraining #YoungHorse #GreenHorse #ShowJumping #HorseShow #EquestrianPodcast #HorseRiding #Confidence #HorseLife