What makes a champion a champion? Which breeds are excelling in which disciplines? In this week's podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator, discusses the key elements that make a horse a champion in Western disciplines like barrel racing, cutting, and reining. Special focus is given to the 'DM Sissy Hey Day' horse which set a world record in barrel racing, emphasizing the indispensable role of breed, conformation, and heart in horse championship.  Dr. Mortensen additionally highlights other successful racehorses and elaborates on desirable traits for respective disciplines. The podcast concludes with the unique characteristics of polo horses from different breeds such as thoroughbred, Argentinian polo ponies, appendix quarter horses, and the Manapuri Pony.   Podcast Timeline 00:01 Introduction to the Podcast 00:09 Imagining the World from a Horse's Perspective 00:55 The Thrill of Barrel Racing 01:09 The Role of the Rider in Guiding the Horse 01:30 The Intense Experience of Barrel Racing 02:53 The Excitement of Setting a New World Record 04:25 Introduction to the Host and the Podcast's Focus 05:00 The Incredible Athleticism of Horses 06:08 Champions in Different Disciplines 07:58 The Unique Characteristics of Different Horse Breeds 09:41 The Importance of Confirmation in Horse Breeds 10:20 The Differences Between Western and English Disciplines 13:06 The Characteristics of Barrel Racing Horses 17:05 The Characteristics of Reining Horses 26:00 The Importance of Pre-Purchase Exams 27:33 The Characteristics of Cutting Horses 36:29 The Characteristics of Polo Horses 44:41 What Makes a Horse a Champion? 45:45 Conclusion and Invitation to Subscribe Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.  --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram @madbarnequine⁠ Facebook @madbarnequine TikTok @madbarnequine ⁠YouTube @madbarn We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]