The Proud Horse Girl Podcast : Episode 5

Feb 11

Enjoy the 5th episode of The Proud Horse Girl Podcast where I chat with a very special guest! Deanna Paton is a third-generation horsewoman, a competitive show jumper, coach and operator of Next Generation Equestrian and so much more! Deanna has been in the horse world her whole life and experienced things through many different lenses. Her family own and operate the well-known Killerney Farms and are very active in the horse community. Deanna offers unique insights into the horse community and is open and authentic.

Listen to us chat about everything from why she started coaching to how she manages her busy life and the challenges she has faced in and out of the show ring. I feel like I learnt something just from our short conversation and am sure that her students are more than lucky to have her. It is clear that she is an impressive equestrian and coach, with a caring and determined attitude. Listen in to this episode to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be from a family in the equestrian world and one of Deanna’s students!

Click the icons below to find out more about Deanna and Next Generation Equestrian!

Show Notes

“Obviously, lots of people no Killarney Farms. I think it's where a lot of riders get their start in the show world” (00:46, Annakah)
“I'm the third generation in my family to be a horsewoman.” (4:25, Deanna)
“So it definitely was kind of a given that I was going to be in horses. I mean three days three days after I was born I was on my grandmother's dressage horse.” (5:02, Deanna)
“If I chose to do something different that was completely okay and growing up, I did do a lot of other things.” (5:43, Deanna)
“Of course the horse always won because that's just what was always in my heart” (6:28, Deanna)
“I just realized that I would not be the person that I am today if I wasn't involved in horses.” (7:25, Deanna)
“But this animal, I'm responsible for its life. I'm responsible for making sure that it has everything it needs.” (7:45, Deanna)
“I learned just from having a family in the business, the value of knowing who you are as an equestrian and how to conduct yourself in every situation.” (8:20, Deanna)
“I've had my fair share of crashes and roadblocks and really hard times.” (9:04, Deanna)
“I definitely had to take a step back and work on my mental stability in the ring and with everything I did and so that was a big hurdle for me to overcome” (9:58, Deanna)
“I'd love for her to be a hunter Derby horse because she is just so pretty to look at and she just goes so well with that but you know, I'm starting to find too that there is a bit of a jumper streak in her as well.” (10:50, Deanna)
“Listen to yourself, listen to your horse.” (12:27, Deanna)
“Just stop for a second take a breath and know that it's okay to take a step back.” (12:55, Deanna)
“I never really thought a hundred percent that I would coach.” (15:06, Deanna)
“I started to see you know certain people kind of fighting they did the same things I did or having sort of the same situations and roadblocks.” (16:00, Deanna)
I realized how much I love being able to help people get through that and how much I love being able to see them work on those sorts of things and work out that frustration and those tears and those agonizing days and then all of a sudden it clicks and you're hitting every stride and there's a big smile on your face and the horse is happy” (16:27, Deanna)
“I think probably one of the influential horses would be would have been Draco for sure.” (18:42, Deanna)
“Speedy has been there for me through, you know more than just being a horse. He's been there through everything, through school through High School through moving and boyfriend's now husbands, all that sort of thing.” (20:22, Deanna)
“He has you know by far proven to me that it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what your background is or what you look like. If you're dedicated and work hard you can do it.” (21:08, Deanna)
“I plan every day down to the minute of what I am doing.” (22:34, Deanna)
“So it's really just about being super organized and having support.” (23:04, Deanna)
“It is a lifestyle and he accepted the lifestyle and the horses and the craziness that I come with” (23:25, Deanna)
“It takes an absolute tribe and a big support system.” (23:58, Deanna)
“It really just takes a big group of people and a lot of dedication and planning down to the minute but I make it work because I love it.” (24:36, Deanna)
“Know who you are as an equestrian and you know, what you stand for and conduct yourself positively and properly. There are a lot of opportunities in this world and a lot of people and if you do it in the right way, you will have mentors everywhere for life” (25:51, Deanna)
“This is a great platform and you're doing a wonderful job. So thank you for putting this out! This is something that the equestrian world needs and I am so happy to be on here.” (28:59, Deanna)