By Brooke Goodman
On Wednesday evening, August 6th, Plaidcast in Person goes on the road to Lexington, Kentucky! This live and in-person recording of the Plaidcast during USEF Pony Finals will take place at Spy Coast Farm in collaboration with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, with free admission to all.
Plaidcast in Person gives attendees the opportunity to engage directly with standout voices, hear personal insights from the panelists in real time, and take part in an interactive conversation that blends sport, career, horsemanship, and lifestyle in the modern equestrian world.
The event is FREE to attend. Reserve your tickets now on Eventbrite and take advantage of the opportunity to listen, learn and network during this one-of-a-kind event.
Host: Piper Klemm, Ph.D. is the owner and publisher of The Plaid Horse whose mission is to educate young equestrians in every facet of our industry and to empower young women in particular to find their voices and stories—and to share them. She has spent her entire career focusing on education through various channels, including The Plaidcast, North America’s most listened-to horse show podcast; and by providing educational articles, grants, and experiential learning opportunities for riders of all ages and levels.
Co-Host: Tonya Johnston, MA, is an equestrian mental skills coach and A-circuit competitor with over 30 years of experience helping riders of all levels be their best. She conducts “Mental Skills for Riders” clinics throughout the country or via Zoom and does phone consultations with individual clients. Her book “Inside Your Ride: Mental Skills for Being Happy and Successful with your Horse” is available on Amazon and Audible. Tonya has a monthly “Inside Your Ride” podcast that is a part of the Plaidcast.
Guest: Dr. Stephen Reed, DVM, is an internationally recognized equine internal medicine specialist, Emeritus Professor at The Ohio State University, and shareholder at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. A leading expert in equine neurologic diseases, he serves as Chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Advisory Committee and has authored numerous scientific articles and textbooks.
Guest: Dr. Julie Vargas is a graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed both hospital and ambulatory internships at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY, before joining Equine Services, LLC, a sport horse practice based in Wellington, FL. Dr. Vargas earned her veterinary acupuncture certification from the Chi Institute and her chiropractic/spinal manipulation certification from the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute, both located in Reddick, FL. She currently serves as the resident sport horse veterinarian at Spy Coast Farm, where she also oversees the rehabilitation and fitness center.
Space is limited, so be sure to grab your free tickets now.
Click HERE for free tickets
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday evening, August 6th, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM Networking Mixer & 6:30 PM Plaidcast Recording
Location: Spy Coast Farm – 3511 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
Tickets are FREE and available now on Eventbrite.
The first 50 guests through the door will receive a free gift courtesy of The Plaid Horse.
Spy Coast Farm, located in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky, is known for its top-tier sport horse breeding, training, and rehab programs. With a focus on horsemanship, innovation, and care, the farm offers a unique and fitting backdrop for meaningful conversations about the future of the sport.
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, our presenting partners for August 6th, is the nation’s leading source of private funding for equine veterinary research. Dedicated to improving the health and safety of horses at every stage of life, Grayson supports groundbreaking studies across disciplines.
Be sure to join us for an inspiring night of equestrian conversation, education, and community. We can’t wait to meet you!
For tickets, more information and future live dates, visit theplaidhorse.com/plaidcast and follow @theplaidhorsemag on Instagram.
