Scott Cooper: Welcome to another episode of Horse Show Bestie. I'm your co-host, Scott Cooper.

Crysta Brown: And I'm your other cohost Krista Brown. Hi Scott.

Scott Cooper: Hi Krista! I missed you.

Crysta Brown: You miss me? I am so sorry. I've really been the most busy and I didn't really plan ahead for this busy.

Scott Cooper: I do. I feel like I'm playing, like, listen, I feel like I'm playing Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego right now with Krista. Like, I'm stalking you based on your Instagram stories of like, where's Krista right now?

Crysta Brown: If it's any consolation, I feel the exact same way. this is, I, well, okay. So how it, no, I know. So I was at Sun Circuit ⁓ Yeah. ⁓ I flew ⁓ straight into Sun Circuit and then I there for, mean, that's like a long show. was like 10 days, 11 days, something like that. ⁓ And yeah. And then, ⁓

Scott Cooper: That's fair. Like you were at Disney the other day? You were at Sun Circuit.

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Crysta Brown: Went straight from there. like flew out the night that we stopped showing ⁓ then I went to Southern, California And I was just gonna stay with like my auntie and uncle for a few days, My cousin's working at Disneyland right now. So she was like gonna sign us for the day and I was like ⁓ I want to do that ⁓ Like I really want to see paint night parade, which my Disney nerds will understand

Scott Cooper: Come on.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ so I, yeah, went to Disneyland, ⁓ the day after Sun Circuit, which was like kind of aggressive, but keep in mind, like, because like, ⁓ just, when you go a lot, when you're like a California local or you've worked there, like you don't go for like rope drop, you know, like you, come in at like noon. ⁓ we did like noon till like 10 o'clock at night. And so it really wasn't like a full, full Disney day.

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Crysta Brown: Sorry, I've been a lot, but I did work there. So yeah.

Scott Cooper: She did work there. She was a Disney princess, actually. Well, you should be. signed contract and 5 % commission. Find her on Facebook under the NAC Equine or check out her website at nac-equine-services.com.

Crysta Brown: I was not. I just cleaned horse shit. every other job in my life, it ultimately was just like cleaning horse ass. ⁓ But yeah, so then I did that. then, but I, the reason I did the layover in Southern California was cause ⁓ I was a part of the AQH lead class, which I think we talked about, which like really cool, which is funny enough because I didn't even really understand what it was until Holland was on this podcast. And I was like, wait, Now back to the episode. That sounds like it's for me. So then I applied for AQH lead. I was accepted into that. And so now I'm at AQHA convention ⁓ at South Point and I'll be here. And then guess what Scott? So this whole time I was like, well, I can't go to convention. Cause like, I don't want to spend the money on the flights, whatever. Had I simply just understood what people wanted to hire me for now I'm bookended. So after this, Karen.

Scott Cooper: Yay.

Crysta Brown: Wants me to come work her Arizona show. So literally I'm on tour. I am on tour right now It's fine. I needed to like renew my passport anyway It all works out

Scott Cooper: You're just going back to Scottsdale. What does your husband think about this right now? what's he doing?

Crysta Brown: So this is a very popular question and I'm really glad that you've asked this. People are like really worried that Chris is just like sad at home. And I promise you guys like, okay, would Chris rather I'm home all the time? Like, of course. And would I rather he's traveling with me? Of course. Or I would rather he lived in California with me. But like, I would say, and I mean, he could come on and I think he would say the same thing for him. He feels like it's a negotiation process. Like he feels like.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: I'm away from home. like horse shows are kind of my home as well. So like, I don't know. I think he just like, well, I certainly would prefer your home, but I'm happy that you're happy. And in fairness, he's traveling a lot for work right now too. ⁓ we're just, we're both little baby entrepreneurs and, that makes life look a little different, but like, ⁓ to be disgusting or speak really highly of ourselves, but like,

Scott Cooper: ⁓

Crysta Brown: We have a really secure relationship. Nobody's going anywhere. We really miss each other and it can be hard when you're on the different time zones or you're on a crazy horse show schedule or sometimes when I have time to call him in the morning, he's at the gym and I'm like, you have to go to the gym right now. It can be hard to feel connected, but also it's like, we'll connect when we see each other again.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Well, and you're married, you have that ring, so like, go off on being secure

Crysta Brown: That's the thing. It's like, I mean, our relationship needs fostering like any other relationship, but I don't think it needs babying. You know, I don't know. Yeah, like we love each other. We care about each other. And like, that's the baseline of all things. And like, I would say the hardest part of when we're apart for a long time, like this is like family logistics, like things we need to figure out. Like,

Scott Cooper: Right. That's such a good place to be in. Mm. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: when he and I need to make a decision together. it's like, it almost always works out. He, I mean, he does try to schedule his work trips when I'm also gone So he's like on a trip while I'm at a horse show. So I have like 20 minutes when I'm available to like actually think about something with my whole brain. And that 20 minutes is also when he's in a meeting and it's like, ⁓ we have stuff to do. Anyway, that's my life. ⁓ How's your life?

Scott Cooper: I love this for you and I'm extra jealous because I am the most boring person in the world right now. Krista, I'm losing my mind. I'm reverting back to like bad habits and my bad habits, mean hyper fixating on the new crop of foals that are dropped on the ground right now.

Crysta Brown: Hmm. Really? I mean... ⁓ I kind of get it though, because I'm sure there's like, okay, so like we haven't had a together pod since your injury. So I know you just talked about all of your injury.

Scott Cooper: I know. know we've like, yeah, we don't need to rehash that too much. ⁓ We'll touch on it.

Crysta Brown: But I just want to say, I feel like I could empathize though, because if I imagine myself in your situation, thinking about the future I think would help me cope with right now. And now you're in a very different situation. Now I'm like, well, you do have time. So I'm kind of more supportive of baby game life.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. right? Yeah, don't know. There's of me that's like, have time there's also part of me that's like, wants instant gratification. Like once I can get back on the saddle, it'd be nice to have a fancy one. Which by the way, why do I have a certain trainer in my DMs on Facebook saying that Crysta told me I'm horse shopping right now and is going to be sending me videos this week? ⁓ I was like.

Crysta Brown: Look, look, I said, I asked you.

Scott Cooper: This bitch just wants me to spend money. I'm not, I didn't have the heart to tell him like, I'm not actively shopping. I'm not not shopping.

Crysta Brown: Look, I said, was like, Scott's vaguely looking. And in my defense, you'd send me like four videos that week. I was like, Scott's vaguely looking.

Scott Cooper: This is true. I just cackled when I saw his DM come through and he was like, Krista told me you're horse shopping. I was like, that's not true, but it's also not false. I can be tempted.

Crysta Brown: But that's the thing is I was like, if it was the right one, I think things could happen. But I think for you, it really does have to be like the right amount of magic. But it was a Bay frickin' gelding. Sorry, I was trying to give you what you wanted.

Scott Cooper: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, but we'll see. I know. No, listen, if the right one comes across, let's just pull the trigger. I'm sick of it. But also, there is this, I had this moment today, I thinking about this, where I'm like, ⁓ once I buy one, the joy's over. Like the hunt. I kind of like the hunt. No, I kind of enjoy the hunt and the buildup and like, ⁓ which one is it going to be? ⁓ So then you do that and it's like, I'm ready to it.

Crysta Brown: No, that's not it.

Scott Cooper: It's like dating.

Crysta Brown: I respectfully disagree. Because just like dating, it's like, OK, yeah, ⁓ everyone's what I ponder fondly of the memories of the joy of the chase. But then it becomes about a new thing. And it's fostering this new family. And what do we want our traditions to be and all that stuff? Horses are the same. It's super fun to find the right one.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. I know.

Crysta Brown: because it's like all the hope and all the dreams. But then once you have the one, then it's about developing them into all that you can be as a team. So like, it's just, it's, I honestly think I personally find a lot of joy out of the development of horses. So the joy of the search isn't so much the like thing for me. It's the like, once I have it, like, what can I make out of you? Like that, that's the really fun part for me.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. That's Correct. I did too. Mm. I did have the, I've agreed, agreed. We have to make those, we have to train those ones too. I did have the thought today, I'm like, how cute would it be if I got a baby and then I could use Chip to pony it and he could be his big brother and teach him the ropes and then all that fun stuff. Yeah, the whole problem started when I had a Katie Van Slyke moment where this thing popped up on my Facebook and I was like, ⁓ shit, is this the Katie Van Slyke moment where it like,

Crysta Brown: with husbands as well. Just kidding. Yeah, I mean...

Scott Cooper: The universe is showing you this horse. And actually it's a half brother to the baby that I literally almost pulled the trigger on last year and bought. But I was like, no, not gonna do it. And then this little angel falls on my Facebook timeline and said, owner, I'm not gonna name you. You know who you are. Comes in my DMs and is like, you ready for that baby? And I was like, I don't know. I'm tempted. Cause that little stinker is so cute. He's a double, he's a bae.

Crysta Brown: Hmm.

Scott Cooper: straight up martini and no strip dirty sorry strip dirty. out of the best by the best martini is the yeah straight up dirty. ⁓ He's adorable and he's sweet and I'm just like ⁓ that is very tempting I don't know so if I had a backyard honestly I had the moment today too I was like could I just like put a little stall in my garage.

Crysta Brown: I was like, okay. You're good. I mean...

Scott Cooper: Like I don't put the cars in there. we could just, why can't he just like have a little box still in the garage and I'll just walk around the neighborhood like with the dogs. Like it'd be fine for a couple of years.

Crysta Brown: I mean, there's that area in like Huntington Beach, I think, where that's exactly the setup. So it's most interesting. So I sold a horse to a lady that's in this area and they've got like two to three stalls in their backyard. And then instead of like grass, it's like a little teeny little sand arena and like arenas may be generous. Yeah. Well, there's as much bigger, like, no, like, okay, where I saw it was like,

Scott Cooper: Well, that's like Reykjavík is. That's like the Reykjavík is in orange. That's like my dream. Okay, well.

Crysta Brown: a normal backyard, like big, but not like this is a mini ranch. It was like small, but then the sidewalks were all like horse paths. And then they go to this like community arena and they do like lessons and stuff together. Very cute.

Scott Cooper: in. That was like an Alta Dina. We had two community arenas. That was always really fun. Yeah, yeah. There was horses going down the roads all the time and there's lots of horses in yards. Maybe I could put a box over the hot tub is. I'm going to think about this. My new hyper fixation.

Crysta Brown: Really?

Scott Cooper: ⁓ So yeah, this is where my mind's at because I can't do anything else besides work and like, walk the dogs. So ⁓ chat GPT has been my like,

Crysta Brown: Okay. Yeah.

Scott Cooper: go to doctor advice at the moment, like which tells you all you need to know about my situation. Yeah, it's been, right, but I mean, I am an OT or PT four days a week. Like I have so many appointments. is honestly like stressing me out. It's too much, ⁓ but necessary. And in between those, I have a million questions that I wanna ask Chad.

Crysta Brown: Okay. I don't know if I'm in on that. That's crazy.

Scott Cooper: Why does my arm look deformed? Is this normal? When is like, when's the timeline on this bone healing? What about my back now? Last night I was asking, so like, when do think I could ride again, Chad? Based on like my injuries, which I had to go see a spinal surgeon too to get a check, not that I'm doing surgery on it, but like, and I have, so you have to have two different orthos. I just found this out that I have an arm ortho who handled my arm and I was like, well, aren't you guys gonna look at my back? And she's like, no.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ my gosh.

Scott Cooper: We don't do spines. I'm like, oh God, do I really need another doctor? Anyway, so I was talking to Dr. Chat about this and Chat seems to think based on the information I gave her, like maybe May, maybe sometime in May I could start lightly writing. The biggest thing right now, the biggest like risk factor is falling and like.

Crysta Brown: Wow. Hmm. Yeah.

Scott Cooper: Yes, Chip's a saint, but like literally anything could happen. You could spook and like if I fell on my arm or honestly on my back like dead like that like they probably amputate my arm my back would probably be okay, but ⁓ So that was discouraging because I did have the thought like ⁓ maybe like in the next couple weeks I can just drive us the barn like just sit on him and walk ⁓ Because I have been riding the pelotoni. I know

Crysta Brown: Yeah. but the risk of re-injury, yeah.

Scott Cooper: But I've been riding the Pelotoni and that's been okay. But also the Peloton doesn't have a brain and jumps sideways and you don't have to like mount it. And it's just like, and that's what my PT said. He's like, yeah, he's like, it's not jostling you. It's okay with the bike, the stationary bike, stationary bike, because it's not bouncing up and down. Like the moment you start trotting, like you could re-injure something. like, ugh. So that's where I am. ⁓

Crysta Brown: Yeah. right? predictable. Hmm.

Scott Cooper: walking the dogs and riding the pelotoni and going to OT and PT and going to work. So I have lots of time to fantasize right now. So you know what? Send me all the horse videos. I don't care. Go ahead. Send me the babies. Send me send me the double send me the broke ones. You know what? Send me those six figure ones. Let's talk about a price. Whatever.

Crysta Brown: That's what I mean. ⁓ ⁓ You know...

Scott Cooper: And then I have to figure out what Chip's next chapter is, like where he's going to live and what all that. So maybe he can live in the backyard.

Crysta Brown: I am firmly resting in for you what I rest in for myself, which is I feel like when I personally feel like when I get in the place where I'm just like, there's too many choices, none of them are super obvious. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do next. If I just give it time, something becomes very obvious, like, and leaning into what's serving me and really taking a heart. I, you know what? I think 2026 is really about like,

Scott Cooper: Okay.

Crysta Brown: Optimization for me like really examining like what's working for me and like what's a waste of my energy like diminishing returns type things But I feel for you like I know you've been sitting on this like what do do? do I do for so long? But I just feel like something isn't gonna become very obvious. It's gonna happen

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I apologize to our listeners because we are beating a dead horse over and over and over But I do think I do think I'm kind of past the whole reigning cow ors fascination like like even ranch like I enjoy it but I I think the all-around is like when I'm my focus it was you know, we just when I Jesse and I talked on the last podcast we and we didn't record this portion but talking about just like the community of people and

Crysta Brown: Well. Okay.

Scott Cooper: ⁓ Like how that really is why we keep showing up to it and it'd be really hard to leave it. So that was like a good reminder of that.

Crysta Brown: Yeah. No, I totally get you though. And I get that you feel like you talk about it all the time, but I don't think you're the only person in this place. So like, I don't see any harm in it, but also this is so relevant to me because I kept you going along through the saga, but for our listeners sake. So I had this mystery lameness going on with my horse bubbles.

Scott Cooper: you That's true. you You guys this is this is a lot of buckle up.

Crysta Brown: It's so stupid. just like, I hate horses. I'm not even kidding. So I've had this miss I know and I she knows I love her and that's why she's the worst. So literally like just to give you guys context, like when I bought bubbles back, like I really was not bringing her in with any expectation. Like I really was just like

Scott Cooper: but we love bubbles.

Crysta Brown: I love this horse. I want her to land softly. Like if she's just a pasture pet, like that's fine. Like that's really truly how I felt about it. So anything that bubbles gives me is a gift as far as I'm concerned. But we had this like not quite sure what it is situation going on for six to eight weeks. She was on stall rest. And like when I went back and saw her after she'd been like completely off for three weeks while I was gone, I came back. She was like lame. Lame and I was like, mm-hmm like this in my stomach like does not feel good She has been like this for too long. Like I Had a long conversation with my vet. I sent him update video and of course we'd been in communication like throughout the whole stall rest process and I was like, I don't know and we had the phone call and we discussed options and

Scott Cooper: Mm-mm.

Crysta Brown: what was tricky about this situation with this particular horse. And you know, maybe this is a discussion worth having if you're somebody in a similar position. I think it is very helpful to set your emotions aside to deal with the logics of it. And then once you've made your decision, then I'll open up the door and I'll start just feeling what I feel about them. So we're on this conversation with my vet and I'm just evaluating. I'm like, she...

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: Yes, she has whatever is going on right now, which could be joint infection that maybe kind of went away and then came back. It could be joint inflammation, but that wasn't really making sense. Like there was just a lot of things. was like maybe her navicular is like really taken over, but like she's not a horse that's perfect otherwise. Like, okay, to me, if I had a horse that's like,

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: broke amazing, does their job, but they have some navicular going on. I would say it's probably worth nerving them, continue enjoying them for as long as we can enjoy them. But with this horse, I just feel like she's not even that broke. She's just kind of naughty. I don't think I'm going to get anything. No, I love her so much, but like.

Scott Cooper: You Do not talk about my goddaughter like that.

Crysta Brown: Literally, she is good when she wants to be like that's who she is And so I'm just like I can't imagine putting this horse through surgery when like I don't To relieve her pain would be so that I can keep enjoying like time on her back but like I just I'm more than happy to just Ease her pain with you know painkillers and just let her be a pet

Scott Cooper: Sorry we her so much. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: You know what? She would prefer that as well. So anyway, all this is going through my head. We're having this conversation. My vet was very much on board and he was like, I think it's a wise and fair decision. He's like, you know, there's other things we can do, but he's like, this is so this is showing up so unusual. Whatever we find is very unlikely going to be a simple fix. So meaning it's going to be expensive. Like if we're if we're talking.

Scott Cooper: Right, exactly. Wouldn't we all? Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Crysta Brown: And I'm sorry, I know it is really hard to talk money when you were talking about our pets that we love so much, but I think we have to be fair to ourselves and I can be an amazing horse owner and still have limits. And ⁓ if you think I'm horrible for that, that's OK, join the club. But maybe you're someone who's in that spot and I want you to feel validated that like it's OK to be a wonderful horse owner and still have some limits. So that was the conversation we scheduled her date. OK, and I was like, the good thing is

Scott Cooper: Thank And listener to clarify, her death date, just FYI.

Crysta Brown: Yeah, like we were gonna put her down, but we were giving it like five days. Cause in my head I was like, I'm gonna do my due diligence. I'm gonna do a second opinion. And I was like, you know, I don't have any professional. Well, I had a couple of professional photos of her, but I really wanted like some portraits. ⁓ So I like, I'll do some portraits of her. ⁓ And then it was her birthday and it felt wrong to put her down on her birthday. So I was like, I'll throw her a birthday party. We'll just enjoy bubbles for like a week, right? So we do all those things. I like find someone who can do some portraits and they're kind of like hyper realistic and like these cool black and whites. like, anyway, those are really nice. We had our birthday party, which was ridiculous. Here's the best part, though.

Scott Cooper: you ⁓

Crysta Brown: We were at the party store and I saw the pinata and I was like, I'm going to give this horse a pinata. And Chris goes, Krista, this is going to be a waste of 12 pound. And I was like, Chris, no, like she's going to love it. Like you don't know the source, like I know the source. We're literally like bickering in the store over whether we should spend 12 pound on a pinata for the source. I won, obviously. So, so I get, so she, we made her out of like, you know, the stud muffin, like a molasses cakes, piled those up, put her 10th birthday candles on it.

Scott Cooper: you Obviously. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: course the Belfast wind blew it out immediately whatever she had her cake devours the stud muffins and then I stuffed like so we can't like get alfalfa there but you can get like alfalfa chop so I put like alfalfa chop and then her grain in the pinata she went ham she was a psychopath she's like stomping it with her foot she throwing it with her anyway it was amazing so she has her birthday party and like the whole time so then I like

Scott Cooper: love this so much. Yes!

Crysta Brown: pull her out and I just like, let me just do a check. She looked better. And I thought, that's interesting. Let's give this a few more days before I panic here. But I let my vet know she looks better today. So let's keep an eye on that. Over the course of, I want to say it was like five days from when I decided like we're going to put her down to the actual day we were going to put her down. Within two days of making that decision, she was fucking fine. Fucking fine. Literally not a thing wrong with her. More sound than when I bought her. She's ridiculous. like. I went and got a second opinion just in case I was like, whatever, like I still booked the appointments, like, let's take her. Need the exact same conclusion. He was like, I mean, she looks fine to me. And I was like, I know. So stupid. And I just like, it's the most horrors thing ever. It's the most bubbles thing ever. ⁓ God, she just wanted more attention.

Scott Cooper: So Bubbles lives on. I love her so much for this. True. I love her. Exactly. I love her so much for this. This is such a power move on her part and honestly, I respect it.

Crysta Brown: I just like, think with horses, like you really have to take things in stride. And I actually, unfortunately, like a lot of my online lesson clients are dealing with some lameness stuff right now. And like to all of our listeners, if you've got some lameness issues going on, let me tell you, don't panic because things can change in a heartbeat. Right? Like, yes, like you can try, you can plan, you do your best by them. But like, this is where I really sit in a camp of like, I love my horses, but my decision-making is very...

Scott Cooper: Right. ⁓

Crysta Brown: unemotional because I just know like so much can happen between now and then. Anyway.

Scott Cooper: Right. I think I was more emotional about bubbles when you told me the news that you were putting her down than you were.

Crysta Brown: It's possible.

Scott Cooper: Like I was crying. I was just like, no, not my bubbles. And you know what, Queen, go off. She just wanted a birthday party. I, to this day, I to this day am convinced that Chip somehow injured himself purposely in the end of 2022, because he just like had it. He is like, I'm sick of this. Yeah, we've to too many shows. You pushed me too hard for like two straight years. Like give me a second here, because I was like, we're going to keep going.

Crysta Brown: I'm convinced. He's like, I've been to many shows.

Scott Cooper: And he was like, mm-mm, I'm gonna cast myself and break my stifle or whatever it is and get 18 months off. Thank you very much. And here's your bill. And he did. He lived his best life with like five pounds of carrots every couple of days. And you know what? He's fine now. Yeah.

Crysta Brown: So happy. That's the thing, though, is people are like, ⁓ it's so sad. And OK, it's not that I wasn't sad. Obviously, she is my special baby. But also, I was, again, operating in the logic part of my brain that was right, I love her, but it would be selfish to keep her around for me. So at that very moment, I felt like I was doing what was best for her. So I was feeling like, mm.

Scott Cooper: special.

Crysta Brown: like my baby, but also like I felt confident in my choice. But I will say like if anyone struggled with making that choice, it unfortunately gets better with practice. Like that's not how I felt the first time I had to make that choice. But now at this point in life, I'm much more comfortable knowing when time is, especially when it's my own.

Scott Cooper: Well, and like, Craig always says, like, the best part about being an animal is that you can be put down. Like, you don't have to suffer. So hopefully you have a human in charge that lets you not suffer. And like, I hate thinking about it, but he's right. Like, at least animals don't have to go through what so many humans have to go through when you're just like living like vegetable and it's awful. So.

Crysta Brown: dude. I also just think there's a lot of power in remembering that nature is not kind. There's this great documentary, I think it's called The Biggest Little Farm. ⁓ I honestly, really? Yes. ⁓

Scott Cooper: Yeah. I love that one! ⁓ my god, I wanna go there. ⁓ my god, it's like close to here. I've been like meaning to go. I love that documentary so much. The Biggest Little Farm.

Crysta Brown: But what I love in that documentary is they talk about the realities of these kind of like, I'm sorry, like city slickers who are like super idealistic and optimistic getting into farm life and then like slowly learning that like nature is cruel. Like it sucks. Yeah, yeah. And I feel like I go back to that when I'm like in the rough spaces with horses. I just remember like

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. It's very metal, yeah. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: If you were a wild horse, life would be so much more brutal. Have you ever watched the cloud documentary?

Scott Cooper: know. But if we're going to be on the top of documentaries, have another one to recommend. But go on about cloud. Tell me about cloud. I want to watch this.

Crysta Brown: Okay, go on. Okay, the cloud documentary, it basically they follow like via helicopter and Jeep ⁓ this like wild stallion like through his life.

Scott Cooper: ⁓ not clouds, not like clouds in the air. Okay, got it.

Crysta Brown: No, he's sorry. The stallion's name is cloud. The stallion's name is cloud. Anyway, so there was like a briar horse made of him. Like when I was, I want to say like elementary, it was like a big deal, I guess. Anyway, ⁓ if you want to gain perspective for what horses live like in the wild, holy dang, holy dang, they have it fine. Our horses that are getting

Scott Cooper: Okay. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: Fair your care, teeth care, you know, they don't have to like fight off other stallions to get a band of mirrors. Like they're doing great.

Scott Cooper: or eat like dead sagebrush or whatever. Yeah.

Crysta Brown: Literally. So yeah, that's my like I just I feel like with any animals dogs horses I just like remind myself like Sometimes nature would have taken care of the problem on its own And so like that's why we have this responsibility and how wonderful that we have this responsibility and how wonderful that I can provide all this care That really helps me cope with the hard moments of pet ownership. What's your documentary Scott?

Scott Cooper: Okay, so if you haven't watched Biggest Little Farm yet, please everyone go watch it and follow me on Instagram. Also, side note, don't want to like spoil alert it, but they just sold the farm, the owners. So yeah, they now it's on Instagram. I think they're like going to go off and do something else. Anyway, I see their stand at our local farmers market in Santa Barbara all the time. So I bought stuff from them. like such a fan girl. And of course the poor person like working the stand is like.

Crysta Brown: Yeah. No. Wow.

Scott Cooper: not a part of the whole thing. I go up and I'm like, ⁓ my God, got an autograph. He's like, what are you talking about? I'm no one, like I'm an intern. Anyway, right, exactly. He's like, I was not there. That was like 12 years ago. ⁓ So biggest little farm. And then the other one I love, horse related, is Unbranded. Have you seen this one? It's these four college guys. I think they went to Texas A ⁓ or Texas Tech, I can't remember. But anyway, they graduate. They of course like don't want to lose.

Crysta Brown: Really? I really liked your documentary. Wait, is that?

Scott Cooper: like go on to adulthood like because obviously who would but anyway they decide to raise awareness about the BLM mustangs they go and adopt a bunch of mustangs like i think like 15 or 20 of them between the four of them and they're going to ride them from the mexico border to the canadian border on all public land so it's really like a showcase of like the hardiness of the wild mustangs and also like how important it is to have access to public lands. Very interesting and like amazing cinematography. Like, you know, I like the horse aspect of it. I love the travel, but like my God, the filmmakers did so good on all the cinematography of like just the Rockies. It's, mean, they're basically going up the Rockies the whole way and it is stunning and just like a really fun story.

Crysta Brown: Mm-hmm. Okay. It's amazing. So cool.

Scott Cooper: I wish I could do something like that. I wish I was epic enough to do something like that, but also like that's just too much. Like I backpack. Yeah, go off. We should adopt Mustangs.

Crysta Brown: Okay, wow, we're on the topic. Okay, so actually, yeah, okay. But have you seen the documentary about the 90 day Mustang makeover?

Scott Cooper: No, but those always intrigue me.

Crysta Brown: Okay, so if you like unbranded, which I actually haven't seen that one, I'll check it out. You'll probably also really like this other one because like the concept of the Mustang makeover for those not familiar is basically you go to like one of the BLM roundups. You like pick a colt and then you train on it for 90 days. And I think they have different divisions and categories. ⁓ but then you take it to a comp like showcase type competition, and then it gets auctioned off at the competition. So like it kind of does like three positive things, you know, it's really good for the Mustangs to be showcased as like these things aren't impossible. Like there's a lot you can do with them. They're really hardy on and on, right? It's good for the trainers cause like, I think they maybe earn a cut from what the horse sells for. ⁓ and it's great for the horses because they get into good homes and like,

Scott Cooper: Yeah. It's getting better life, yeah.

Crysta Brown: So it's not just like people that don't know better picking Mustangs up off the street like at least they've got a little bit of Time, you know underneath them. So anyway, it's a good one

Scott Cooper: I think at the end of Unbranded 2, I think they ended up auctioning off all the horses for like a charity purpose, not for themselves. yeah, it was just, it was really interesting. They had a whole string and I think they took like 60 days to train them, which is insane that it was that fast. And of course, like the first month they're on the trail, these horses are just absolutely fair. They are feral still, like bucking them off every morning. It's amazing.

Crysta Brown: Okay. Those things are counterfeit. Yeah. ⁓ Love it. That's amazing. ⁓

Scott Cooper: ⁓ Changing the subject a little bit. APHA just won't have a convention since you're at AQHA convention. Hi Chris, so this is your favorite topic. Let's talk about real change proposals that either passed or didn't pass this year. Do you have any off the top of your head that you would like to comment on?

Crysta Brown: Okay. ⁓ huh. Nope, your turn. I have no comment. I'm okay.

Scott Cooper: If you guys just go to Christa's Facebook page, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. OK, there is one. ⁓ here's the ones I actually wanted. I know you're mad about the name thing, but how do you feel about adding? Wachtrot ranch classes.

Crysta Brown: I... I don't know.

Scott Cooper: I know you've said in the past that like, ⁓ my God, we do not need the show day any longer, but I'm curious how you feel about this.

Crysta Brown: I don't even want to say anything. I don't want to say anything. feel like I, okay, here's my problem is like, I feel like I have this trait where like I really see multiple sides to things. And so when I read that we were passing walk, trot, ranch riding, I went, you know, that can be a great program. Like that's really going to help get some people to show. Yeah. And

Scott Cooper: Yeah, because Pinto does it.

Crysta Brown: Like I've got some people where it's like, you know, the, the loping ranch riding, like, especially with beginners, sometimes like they just need that on ramp, you know, and there are the people where, you know, to extend the lope or be jostled around like that, like for whatever reasons, be it, you know, physical ability, age, anxiety, fear, like that's going to give them an opportunity and a place to show. So.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: I see that side and like hear me. I think that is a good and a positive and I can see where I'm going to be recommending that class to some people. Also.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: I think it's just I struggle with how many categories and divisions we have and I know I've said it before, but I just I'm not sure people get me on this one because it's not that I don't think the divisions are a good idea. I do, but like when you're at a show like Sun Circuit and there's a million people in every class, you go. I'm so glad there are multiple divisions so people can get encouraged and continue to try and continue to step up.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: Because I think it would be hard if you were like 90th out of 90 to feel encouraged to keep trying. That's going to be a challenge for you. But I feel like I want to see paint shows succeed. And I have such a love for the paint horse. I have such a love for color. but I personally don't find it very fun to show against two other people. So I worry when we have like, yeah, like, you know, people will say, well, the regular amateur category is just hard because it's like an age where people are very busy working. They have kids, but it's, I'm like, yeah, but all the ages are kind of hard. You know, it really, there's all sorts of reasons to not do horses, but I feel like when you've got the novice amateur, the walk, draw amateur and the regular amateur,

Scott Cooper: we subdivide too much. Yeah.

Crysta Brown: and the Masters amateur, that's a lot of different categories for the same bubble of people to show in. And we end up really dividing and splitting. I understand that if we were to get rid of walk jog, that doesn't mean all of them would step up. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that there will be some people who maybe were competing in the loping that will step down into the walk trot ranch riding now. And maybe that's a better place for them. but I'm sad for those that were trying to earn points in the loping. And I just think there are two sides of this coin, which is why it's such a tricky issue. And I trust our leadership that they probably had a lot of discussion about this and they were very thoughtful about it. And I trust that they did their best to make the right decision that they saw for APHA. But I just see two sides of the coin. So.

Scott Cooper: Mm. I get that. My next question, are we doing Western Dressage?

Crysta Brown: I don't like anything you're asking me right now. I'm gonna get in trouble. Okay. My problem is... Okay, I have...

Scott Cooper: Let's do it! I do wonder what shows are going to offer this. That's my, that's my like my, that was my first question. I'm like at what shows here on the West Coast are we going to see this? Is this going to be at Zone 2?

Crysta Brown: I have a lot of questions and I'm going to say I did not read this specific rule change extremely thoroughly. So maybe some of what I'm saying as concerns was dealt with and how the rule was written. just like, let's all like instead of your typing right now, I feel it. Just give me a second. Take it. Take it back. It's this is all for fun.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. And it's not that serious at all. This is like, there's a war going on in Iran. Like, let's calm down.

Crysta Brown: Yeah, yeah, like this is all just for fun. Okay. ⁓ my thing with dressage as somebody who's written their ranch pony, like, you know, played with some dressage stuff is I don't get why Western dressage. If we were going to introduce dressage into the world of our horses, why do this? I'm sorry, bastardized version of it. Why not just put the dressage out? It is the same. When I tell you, you can't, you're still riding two handed in a snaffle. You are still, it's literally the same thing you just put Western tack on.

Scott Cooper: Yeah, that's a good point. Why don't we just add Rassaj then? Is Rassaj, is it in AQHA?

Crysta Brown: Scott, this is, yes. So I think they've tried it a few times. I believe that both Western Dressage and Dressage have been tried in multiple ways. I believe Pinto still offers it. Like we've kind of dabbled with it before. And the principles of Dressage, the idea of Dressage I love, but part of what I personally love about Dressage is it's super, super leveled. So like when you first go in and compete, it's like you don't even have to back up. It's just like basically being able to execute transitions and steering. And it's not as like tight as horsemanship. You don't have to pivot. You don't have to like, it is very simple and it really provides you an on ramp to get into it. And then it goes up from there, right? On to like Grand Prix Olympic level, right? How are we going to implement it in that way though? What level tests are we doing? So then we like.

Scott Cooper: question.

Crysta Brown: So these are the things that I'm really confused by in what my understanding of the dressage is and what I personally believe makes dressage so special and beneficial to horsemen and horses because it really builds a path for like developing your horse. But how are we going to implement that? And then here's my other thing. So then if that starts getting offered at shows, what are the people going for the all around going to do? They're going to be adding another class.

Scott Cooper: Hell yeah! I'm getting in that. Hell yeah, I'm getting in that.

Crysta Brown: because they want the points and I can't blame them. But at the same time, I feel like our show schedules are already so, so hard because there's so many classes and divisions and we're adding more.

Scott Cooper: I get that and I don't think every class is going to show up at every show. ⁓ There's some good rule change people. And when I say good, I mean, this is me being subjective. You don't have to agree with me. But I do. This is all opinions and don't come at us if you disagree. You can. You're wrong. But I'm just kidding. ⁓ This creating a ranch horse versatility award. Love that.

Crysta Brown: I agree. Yes. All of this is opinions and it doesn't and you can totally disagree. It's OK. Mm-hmm.

Scott Cooper: That one's really fun. ⁓ Just like some of the like immediate family things just like, just making it more accessible for family members. Like, thank God, yes please. ⁓ You know who I want to fight? You know who want to throw hands with? I will meet you outside.

Crysta Brown: Okay.

Scott Cooper: is the person come forward because I want to let's let's throw down the person who proposed that masters moves up to 50. Y'all I have been counting down the days the days until I'm a masters and this shit just got five years further away. I am not okay. I'm so mad. Selfishly it is what

Crysta Brown: I don't think you're the only one.

Scott Cooper: thousand percent selfish and I'm so mad so bring me my damn 35 to 50 age division now.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ my gosh, you people in your divisions.

Scott Cooper: I was just like when I saw that when that was even frozen. I was like what? What if anything let's bring it out of 40 So I was like

Crysta Brown: No. But then, OK, I think the Masters is tricky because the intention is to kind of create a space where it's like, you know, your body doesn't move the way it used to, but you still want to keep playing in the big pen, right? But where do you cut it off? Because there is a valid argument that at 45, your body is different. Things feel different than when you were 20 and you don't want to compete against 20 year olds. But also at the same time, there's a really valid argument.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: that when you're 65, your body's moving real different than when you were 45. So where does it end?

Scott Cooper: I get it. I get it. And also I feel like these masters competitors and this is a generalization but like they have big big kid money. Like those horses are nice.

Crysta Brown: They do have really nice horses.

Scott Cooper: They have nice ass horses.

Crysta Brown: But also, I feel like a lot of times they have really broke senior horses, because for a lot of them, they've got to develop with the horse over a longer period of time. And so, like, can be, I mean, they can be pretty spicy.

Scott Cooper: That's Can we just have, can we have tax bracket divisions? That's what I want. I'm creating my own association. I'm creating my own association. It's going to be all tax brackets. Although, hey, hold on, before you get there, I just want to shout out AVHA. I know many people hated this program, but I just got a check in the mail for pain points and like, it wasn't small and I barely showed last year. So shout out to that program. Yay money. Anyway, go on.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ my god. No. No, we can't have any more divisions. You know, maybe I'm having a realization. Yes? A lot of people got really nice checks. Um, so that was great. But I think I'm realizing like, as you're talking about all the divisions, like, I think I have a different perspective on it because I pretty much went straight from the youth to the open. Like, you know, very brief moments in the amateur, but like, I felt what it felt like to go in and like, as an 18 year old show against like Ron, Roger and Karen. And I'm like, well, we suck. But like,

Scott Cooper: Mm.

Crysta Brown: you get through it and then you keep working up and you start developing some horses and at least for me it's like that didn't stop me but like yeah there was a while where I didn't get my name called so maybe that's where the spiciness comes from for me different perspective

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. I think that's where the saltiness is coming from. This amateur salty. It's fine. I get it. And let me remind you who's just hired to work at Sun Country and just spent her last week and a half in the big boy pen, the big, big scary pen at Sun Country. Well, thank you. I want to sell your prizes too. Yes. Can you tell me about Sun Circuit? Because I have to look like curiously through you and social media.

Crysta Brown: Yeah. Look, I want you all to get prizes. ⁓ sun circuit. ⁓

Scott Cooper: I wanted to go there, but then my body decided to break in half, so we didn't get there. ⁓ But it looked super fun and big and like, is it as fun as it looks on social media?

Crysta Brown: I'm so sorry. I know. I missed you. ⁓ okay. So this is my second time going to Sun Circuit. And I will say like, I'm a little bit of like a fish out of water at like the big quarter shows like that. Cause it's like, there are some faces I recognize, but like at a paint show, it feels like a family reunion. I'm like, yep. You, you, you, I know you all. Right. Like, whereas like it's very different at a quarter horse show.

Scott Cooper: Yep. Even at World Show, there's... I mean, I don't get intimidated at Paint World anymore just because we know everyone. I think the first year I was like, ⁓ my God, these are like big names. But now it's like Mike Hectl, you don't scare me. ⁓ he does a little bit. I love him. Anyway. ⁓ you just... ⁓

Crysta Brown: Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. And you learn that they're just people. So it's no big deal. But I also think it's weird being at like a ⁓ quarter show like that, especially as like, I worked so hard last year on kind of growing my socials. And I think there were a lot of maybe trainer folks, professional folk kind of sussing me out. Like, what's the deal? Like you you're all over social media, but like, are you actually cool?

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: But then it's hard because it's like, you know, sometimes I worry that I'm a little unfriendly, but I do get a little shy because I just like, well, I don't know if you're just saying hi because we all just walk by each other and say hi, or if maybe you're like having this moment of recognition and you're kind of wanting to chit chat. I'm really bad and awkward about that. So anyway, it was a very interesting like social experience. ⁓ Got to...

Scott Cooper: We do. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ hang out with some really cool people it was really fun to watch the ranch pen and like admire and just be impressed with a lot of the horses i saw there's just you know what i took away i was really thinking to myself i was like there are so many amazing horsemen these horses look phenomenal like there were multiple times i was watching different pens and just went wow like that was cool you know and that's like really fun to be around

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Yes.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ And just like be inspired and you're like I'm gonna go home. I make my horses so good So that was really fun Yeah bubbles with their stupid nose in the air but But no, it was really really neat in that way just to be around that environment. I mean, there's so much shopping That's really cool and to see some of your favorite vendors like again I guess really this is all just social for me because that's like my takeaway from everything

Scott Cooper: Bubbles. Bubbles were coming for you. Uh-uh. ⁓ You're right. Well, that's what horse showing is. I mean, you're in the pen for two minutes. It might as well be social.

Crysta Brown: but I'm like, ⁓ I really like you. Yeah. Yeah, so it was like fun to see like a lot of the vendors we love, but like all in one place. ⁓ And it was actually fun. Like I got a little braver. originally like you were supposed to come to Sun Circuit. had another friend who was supposed to come to Sun Circuit. And so we were going to like plan on doing some content together. And then, you know, things, things don't always work out. It's fine. So then I kind of had to be brave about like, can you film for me? Or like, are you willing to help?

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Yeah, who is filming your content for you?

Crysta Brown: The wonderful Ali Hubbell helped me with my first video. And then I was like, well, can I help film something for you? And then it kind of felt like this cool moment of blossoming friendship, maybe. So I found in me being a little braver about having to ask for help or ask for collaboration.

Scott Cooper: Ellie! No. me.

Crysta Brown: like Mr. Jim Green Dyke, I was like, wait, I have this idea. I was like, I know that you don't know me, but like, it's gonna be great. It was really fun to kind of put that energy out there. then like, I don't know, sometimes, yeah. And people go like, oh, that is fun. Chuck Letchworth, right? Like doing a video with Chuck Letchworth. I did not.

Scott Cooper: and have people play back. Let's go. my god, Chuck. I know.

Crysta Brown: I didn't plan to do that, but like we got to talking and you know, I was like, it would be great to like have you offer some education, whatever. And so then we like did a video and like he thoroughly enjoyed doing it. So it was just like fun to have those kind of moments and it kind of got me talking to people. I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to start a conversation with other than I had to be brave to start a conversation. So that was cool. And I will say like, I'm so grateful to Kristen Brock was who I was working for and her barn. They were so like kind and generous of like, it's like, yeah, like you've got a ton done today. Like you can go film if you want. Like she was just so cool about that. And she like really seemed to like understand and appreciate that like there was opportunity for me. And so she was like, no, things are quiet. Like go ahead. So that was really, really neat. Plus, I just really enjoyed getting to know her and her group. Nothing but respect. So it was really positive. The only thing I really wanted to film, and I didn't, was I wanted to go over to their ⁓ prize booth and go over everything that they offer because it's amazing.

Scott Cooper: Mm. ⁓ my god, all the side-by-sides, it's like crazy.

Crysta Brown: saddles side by side and then there's the prize patrol that drives around and has you do like silly things for a prize. It's crazy!

Scott Cooper: I was super surprised not to see you in that L3 senior Western pleasure on some like crazy Rainer running around the inside circle. Like I thought for sure Krista Brown was going to pop up in that video.

Crysta Brown: I mean, the problem is like, I guess I could have taken like the pony horse in. I don't know. I feel like, again, like I feel like that group of people still sussing me out. Like I'm keeping it like ever. I'm still filming in public, but I'm like trying to keep my shenanigans fairly conservative.

Scott Cooper: Right, exactly, like who cares? Just win the side by side. Like that's what everyone does. Yeah. Did anyone ask about me?

Crysta Brown: Yes, everyone. Everyone asked about Scott. I do feel like there's a few questions that I'm asked consistently, especially when I'm in newer social groups. Number one is always, how did your husband feel about you traveling? People are so curious about that. The other one is where, Scott? And between those two, I'm just like, am I not enough? This feels like micro anti-feminism.

Scott Cooper: other than Tory. Whatever. ⁓ Mm. Mm-hmm. Good. Good. It is anti-feminism. ⁓ don't, you know, I'm trying to imagine walking in a space, like driving in a Westworld, you're in Sun Circuit. I don't have a horse there. I don't have a barn there. I'm just like your little tag along buddy. And like, how would I, it would have been, but I'm like, you guys won't believe me when I say this, but I'm very introverted. ⁓ And so like injecting, don't roll your eyes. And so injecting myself into.

Crysta Brown: you That would have been awesome. I get you. That's where I struggle also.

Scott Cooper: situations is like really anxiety producing for me. Once I'm in and comfortable, I'm good. That's why I paint people you think I'm like something crazy because I'm comfortable with you. You're welcome. And also when we are done showing for the day, you won't see me. You will not go to dinner with me. You will not see me. I need to go cocoon until the next day. So Jeff's FYI, I love that our barn knows that about me and never wants me to dinner because I'm not going. But it takes me

Crysta Brown: Yeah. you

Scott Cooper: It takes a lot of courage for me to like go into a situation like that, especially if I don't have a dog in the fight and don't like have a horse to go warm up in the arena and like do whatever. Like I don't know what I would do there. I sure would figure it out, but that would, yeah, it would just be interesting. Cause like now I'm just like a fan with a microphone that's annoying people. I don't know.

Crysta Brown: But I would say I do think for you or like even for our listeners, I got so much out of watching. Like, and it's a cool environment to watch it because like there are some shows you go to and it's just like nobody's really spectating. Like, I don't know. That environment was really great to spectate in. And I just like. Like there was just amazing horse after amazing horse coming into the classes and like there's so much variety. If you get like a little bored of watching this pen, like go over to the ranch pen, go over to the rain cow horse, like go over to the rodeo. Like there's just everything. And so that was cool.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I would love to do that. Like, and I think Congress would be the next best thing. Honestly, think Sun Circuit would be better than Congress. I'm just gonna say that. But that Sun Circuit is probably better than Congress.

Crysta Brown: Yes. You said what Congress sorry. Well, I don't know. I haven't been to Congress. I can't judge yet.

Scott Cooper: I haven't either, but I feel like it's probably chiller. Like I just feel like the aura is like just a little lighter because it's not like, ⁓ my God, it's Congress.

Crysta Brown: I struggle mentally with the idea of how long Congress is.

Scott Cooper: That too, that's ridiculous, I'm sorry. I mean, we'll tackle that beast, but like, oh my God, it's so long.

Crysta Brown: Like. But if we were going to show there, and especially like the trainers and the assistants and the help, like, I love you all so much. But like, by like the day before we're supposed to leave, I'm like, let's leave, let's pack up. Why are we still here?

Scott Cooper: six days at a horse show is like enough for me. So like the thought of doing like multiple weeks. ⁓ my God, there's no way in hell. I mean, but I think, you know, it's not like if you're an amateur, you're not there for a month and like that doesn't happen. You all chose this career. You guys, you chose this life. ⁓

Crysta Brown: Yeah. Yeah, well, what about the rest of us? We're just like moved in. We're just moved in there forever. ⁓ my gosh. No, so I struggle with the idea of that, though I would. I have like talked to some friends about like maybe just going to Congress this year as well. ⁓ Just go see things. I just want to go and see. I want to know. I want to step up my game.

Scott Cooper: Maybe we should do that. I went one time for a few hours back in 2010 and I stalked Charlie Cole. That's a longer story for another time. yeah, should go. don't know. Horse people chime in. Should we go to Quarter Horse World Show or Congress? Which one's better?

Crysta Brown: Okay. Love it. Or both. Why not both?

Scott Cooper: applications, unfortunately.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ fine. No, yeah. I again, I've seen Westworld now and I really do feel like it's a positive experience. ⁓ But I will be really curious to like, if I get the opportunity to see Congress, like get the vibe for it and like specifically Cornwall's Congress.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Okay, I'm going to say something that is part manifesting and part y'all check the record in like four months, four or five months from now. Chris is going to get hired to work either Congress or Cordoba's World Show. I'm calling it. You are going to get an offer to work it. I'm calling this right now.

Crysta Brown: Maybe. But do I want that? Okay. But do I want that?

Scott Cooper: I mean, set your boundaries. You don't have to be there for a month.

Crysta Brown: I do and I like this is my problem is like there's so much work that I'd be like, ⁓ that would be cooler like working that show would be cool. But then I struggle with the balance of like, okay, but like I have other things that I do as well. And like they tend to suffer a little while you're at the show. So yeah, no, like I certainly would be like very curious for the opportunity. But I don't know. So we'll see. We'll see what happens with that. I know for sure I'm doing Paint World this year. ⁓ I'm sure I'll come back for the May Paint Vegas and the Nationals and ⁓ Europeans this year and all the things. ⁓ by the way, I didn't get to be a part of the last episode. Can we just rehash, like, fuck that snake. Fuck that snake year. That was horrible. Like it's the year of the horse now. ⁓ This has to better.

Scott Cooper: It was horrible. was, yeah, fuck that snake. Yeah. Jesse was like, can we swear on this podcast? I was like, yes, ⁓ we can swear on podcast.

Crysta Brown: Yeah, I feel like I can bleep the f-bombs, the I just like there's some things I feel strongly about and I simply must say.

Scott Cooper: No, I agree. Although, well, has this year been better? Technically, the turnover date for the Year of the Horse started February 17th, so my accident was pre-that. My house burning down, was pre-that year, though. Take your shot.

Crysta Brown: Yeah, it was, it was. and bubbles trying to die was pre that. I think for us it was the final shed of the skin and I think we are awakening new beautiful babies.

Scott Cooper: I sure hope so, but like, am bored. I gotta figure out what my ear looks like, cause you're talking about like, going to World Show and don't you or whatever. like, I could go like spectate? Me probably.

Crysta Brown: so bored. No, but I kind of get you like, okay, I'm sorry for the like, the spectating part, but there is a bit of me that feels I've had to do a lot of editing, um, of my life. And especially it's like, Ricky's not ready to yet ride. I don't feel super motivated to do the yearling stuff with him. I don't know. I just, I'd like, it just feels like a lot to me to put him on the trailer to like send him to the Euro championships. Um,

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: just for yearling classes, so I'm having a hard time justifying that. And then it's like, I just feel like I'm bothering Bubbles to think about showing her. I feel like it's mean. Yeah, she's, I just feel like it's like schooling on her, like every time she just looks at me like, why?

Scott Cooper: She doesn't have time. Bubbles doesn't have time to show. What about your little ranchy rainer?

Crysta Brown: I mean, yeah, but like it's a client horse like well, so it's hard because then I don't have control. ⁓ Like it's it's their choices, so I have like client horses, but as far as like my own creatures that I'm building goals for, like I'm a little swimming, just kind of floating, not quite sure. ⁓ But I feel like and I won't like or confirm until everything's like.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: but it feels like all of a sudden the opportunities that seem very doable are presenting themselves, which makes me go like, okay, like something's gonna work out soon and it's gonna become obvious why there was no clear path for a bit there.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. Maybe chips jumping on a plane and coming to Ireland. I know.

Crysta Brown: I think he should. He could be onto green grass. He'd be so happy.

Scott Cooper: tease you with that every week. It's like part of me is like that would be so great. I would love to have him just like with you. Like nothing would make me happier, especially like seeing this most recent horror story about our friend who's like fighting to get her horse back from that rescue. ⁓ Like this is why like I don't really ever want to sell him or donate him to any type of program because I like I don't trust other people. So yeah, best case scenario would be that he goes maybe live in there.

Crysta Brown: No. I get you. Yeah. But it's hard, he's still your baby. I know.

Scott Cooper: Well, would, he's still my baby. I want to see him. That's why I like, I love this new fantasy of like, oh my God, I'll just like, you know, he'll, he'll be my like pony horse as we raise this baby together. He'll be, he'll be my, my like horse husband as he like bites it.

Crysta Brown: In your fantasy of him as a pony horse, so like now you're gonna haul chip to shows just to work your baby that's not ready to show?

Scott Cooper: ⁓ no, no, no, we didn't say that. This is just at home. This is riding on the beach. ⁓ yeah, yeah. No, no, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ okay, right in the fantasy world where you're at the beach with your horses, you know, that's what here's the thing I think a little bit of me is like in agreement with you saying that ship like hurt himself because he was like that's enough because too many horses shows because I think about what he told the animal communicator and he was like, I hate Vegas. I just want to to the beach.

Scott Cooper: Yeah, not 100%. Yes. just wants to to the beach guys. Guys, we need to do an episode on this. if you have not heard this story, I talked to an animal communicator, Chris and I both talked to the same woman. We need to get another one on here. Like it's time. I want to talk to my dog eats too. But yeah, Chip was like, it was the sweetest thing I was like, do you like showing? And he was like, not really. And like, I don't really like going and I hate Vegas. But, but guys, the sweetest thing that's just like, I'm gonna cry. Like telling you about it. He was like,

Crysta Brown: So yes. Yes. I You Aww.

Scott Cooper: I hate showing, but I do like that it's just time spent with you and me. And because I know that it makes you happy to show I'm willing to do it. And I was like, ⁓ my God, I'm gonna cry. also like, then I feel like a horrible person. So I'm like, forcing him to do something he hates. But like, he's right that that's our time we get to spend together like, uninterrupted. There's no husband, there's no other sibling animals around. It's just like me and him getting to hang out. And so

Crysta Brown: No. Yeah. Yeah.

Scott Cooper: Now that's like, I treasure that so much and we have, especially like longer shows, I'm like, I just get to hang out. Like there's, I remember there was a time in Vegas at our last show, I was just like up in the hotel room, kill time, like, what am I doing? My animal is downstairs. Normally he's three hour drive, right? Normally he's three hour drive away. Go downstairs and see your damn horse. And so I go see my baby and like drink shots of him.

Crysta Brown: Yeah. Like, my horse is here. No. Yeah. Go see your baby. Yeah. That's the best thing, both my, gosh, like every mare I've ever owned, like we have like a, just hanging out on their back time. It's usually not me like sitting on their back. I'm like lounging across them in some way, but like all like Moon loved that. Like if I just like brought her into the arena and like just like jumped on her while I was teaching the lesson, like you could like feel her enjoying herself. Like she was really happy to be doing that.

Scott Cooper: Seriously.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ Bubbles is the same way. Like I think now Bubbles is like, don't fucking touch me. Like, she's like, what is wrong with you? Yeah. Like Bubbles more just likes to be in my vicinity, but like she loves if I'm like sitting on the ground, like whether I'm editing or I'm reading or like just like being in her area, like she really enjoys that. And like, I kind of like it too, because it takes me back to like why I do this, why I like this. ⁓

Scott Cooper: She's like, know your place, peasant. Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: I had a moment too. So I went over to Karen's and I literally just rode one. And I had the thought when I was driving away. Yeah. So I like drove over to Karen's. Yeah, I did. And I was just thinking to myself that I forgot to send you a picture, but I did take a picture of him. So sorry. I know. So I rode Hootie and I told Karen, cause I was just there like for fun. And so she was like, ⁓ do you want to ride one? I was like, nothing hard.

Scott Cooper: Wait, like the last couple days? Did you see your godson? Okay. Whatever, it's fine. I know you're way more into hootie, whatever.

Crysta Brown: I will ride someone very easily, but I do not want to work. And she goes, that's fair. So ⁓ I rode Hootie on the trail and then we just like hung out a little bit. I went through and took pictures of all my show clothes because sometimes I forget what I have, which yeah, anyway. ⁓ And then I went home and I was like. Wow, that was really enjoyable. Like I can see why amateurs like that because there's a really different feeling. Like literally writing one, I was like, I'm not fatigued. My like, I'm not sore. I'm not that sweaty. Like that is a way better experience than writing 10. Let me tell you.

Scott Cooper: Yes. Yes. All right, that's great. Yeah, you know what I'm looking forward toward? This is not commonplace in our barn of like trainers or assistants getting our horses ready for us and decking them up. like, I'm gonna milk that card for a while. Although probably by time I get clear to ride my arm will be okay. But like I couldn't throw on a saddle right now, there's no way. So I might need some help with that. That'll be fun.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ you're gonna be pampered for a bit. Yeah. That's nice. mean, you'll get a little bit of a little pampering, a little extra love. But no, I mean, we've covered a lot of things here. Anything else? I feel like I should say regarding rule change proposals, I did advocate really hard for one specific rule about name changes. And I know some people have been like, you haven't really said anything since. And I'm like, I know. I just don't really have the words because I

Scott Cooper: you salty.

Crysta Brown: I would like to come back with words once I am like rejuvenated with energy to work towards it next year. But like I'm kind of salty. ⁓ cause I, I think it's important. I think it will be an important thing to pass. and I, yeah, I just need to come up with the right way to help. But I think

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm. That's fair. That's fair. You can be. That's fine. Yes.

Crysta Brown: something I may be feeling is I'm feeling the slightest bit of frustration with how hard it is to build relationships with the people that have the power to help make these decisions because like you really need to be around them. And sometimes that feels really cost prohibitive. And that makes me kind of upset personally because I'm like, I want to be in that room with you. Like I want to show you that like while I find it fun and inviting for others to propose the things that I think in kind of silly ways or like, you know, make a joke so it's a fun way to talk about it because to me though, like for our people who are professionals in the industry, breeders in the industry, like, yes, this is very important. Ultimately, we guys, have like the best job in the world. Like we have the best situation in the world. So like to me, it's always a little bit silly and I think it's okay to be a little facetious and fun. But I think when I'm in professional environments, I can speak in a different tone of voice and I can really bring that to the party. But I think it's frustrating because for me to have attended something like APHA convention, I would have had to have said no to work. So I wouldn't have been working the sun circuit. I would have had to pay to fly myself out there. And then I would have had to pay to stay at like, I mean, it's all near like the hotel drover. I can't afford that.

Scott Cooper: I drove her, yeah.

Crysta Brown: Like I'm just going to be honest. Like then it would come down to me. I would have to choose between, you know, I'd really like to buy an English saddle so I can potentially do some working hunter stuff. And like that it's that or that that seems silly. Like I should continue furthering my career, not working on volunteer work. So I guess just some of my feelings. Like I feel like maybe my rule ⁓ might passed if I had been there to advocate for it. And so maybe that's where I'm feeling some frustration. But then I'm feeling like

Scott Cooper: Right. ⁓ yeah.

Crysta Brown: it's not possible for me to be there to advocate for it. So I will come back with better energy for it next year. And I'm not going to like stop pursuing the betterment of something that I love. Like I will continue to do that.

Scott Cooper: What is Ricky Bobby's name gonna be?

Crysta Brown: I'm not registering him. He's going to be a quarter horse until they change that rule. I'm sorry. I'm not doing it. I'm not doing it. I just, I would rather pay more to register him later because I'm just like, is his name. Like he is shaken bake. Ricky Bobby is shaking bake. I literally went so far out of my way.

Scott Cooper: I love this. I love this. Yes.

Crysta Brown: to get that name under quarter horse because it was deceased thinking that it was available in paint. Okay, I'll just, this is my story. Okay. Like, so I literally was like trying to pick out, like I really wanted like fun name that had the barn name ties into the registered name, right? He's a bank on the bus. And like, was the choice that I felt was right for that mayor as far as double registered stallions that are available in Europe.

Scott Cooper: Right. And he's bank on the best? Right.

Crysta Brown: But like with the controversy of Bank on the Best, I didn't really want to tie into that. So that was the right choice for my cult. You can do what you want with your cult. Totally fine. ⁓ So had like a few name options that I was like really heavily considering ⁓ and I was like who like he's kind of a Ricky Bobby. ⁓ But I had initially like so I keep like a running list of name ideas on my phone at all times and it was available in paint but not available in quarter. Well then I got to thinking because there's like there's some really fun cool people at work at quarter horse. So just started asking some questions. I was like ⁓ OK I really want this name like ⁓ what.

Scott Cooper: I love this.

Crysta Brown: Is there any way that it's possible? Because then I found I was alerted that there is a rule that like if the horse is deceased with no babies, no show record, and maybe there's one other thing like no stored genetic material, something like that, then you can use the name of a deceased horse. So we had to look it up and unfortunately he wasn't recorded as deceased, which this is a reminder to record your horses as deceased if they pass, because it makes it great for the future anyway. So like literally.

Scott Cooper: Mm-hmm.

Crysta Brown: God bless Joanne from International because she like went and contacted the people that previously had this horse's name on Facebook and was able to confirm that the horse was deceased so that I could get this name. The hoops that were jumped through to get this name in Quarter Horse and I was like and it just let me tell you I left that experience like I owe Quarter Horse everything. Do you want some of my blood? Do you need a kidney Joanne? Like I love them. They are so cool and then I like

Scott Cooper: The hoops. A 10-foot hoop.

Crysta Brown: go to register him and I was like, wow, that's over wipes brow. And then I go over to paint and I'm like, well, it's available here. This will be no big deal. And then they were like, unfortunately it's not because it sounds like it. was like, you guys, no way. So that's the story.

Scott Cooper: And like how many yearlings in the NSBA sale had some variation of Hey Girl this year?

Crysta Brown: And in fairness, it's probably because they are like quarter horse registry and that's allowed in quarter horse. And I understand we're different registries and it's okay if we have different rules.

Scott Cooper: I know, but like there's just, there's 20 hey girls and they just have different amounts of whys.

Crysta Brown: I know, I know.

Scott Cooper: I do, I do like, I'm with you. It sounds like whatever, it's fine. But I think there does need to be like a little limit, a little bit of a limit.

Crysta Brown: So that's why like we were put a lot of thought into writing this rule because I said, like, I completely understand where it's important. Like I don't want to show shake and bake while shake and bake is also showing in the hunter under saddle. And it's like, ⁓ like that's really bad for your horse's marketing ability. That's bad. You know, like that's not good for the breeders, the owners to have horses with sound like names showing at the same time. so I kind of came up with these stipulations that I thought would help. avoid that issue, ⁓ but would still maybe open up the options of names that we can use so that we can all have more like interesting, unique names ⁓ to name our horses. And at the end of the day, let me tell you, I know this is a little silly. Like I am not trying to say like the most important thing happening in the world right now is the names of horses. Right, like there is stuff, there's a lot of stuff happening all the time and it can be really heavy.

Scott Cooper: There's a warrant I ran.

Crysta Brown: But like, this is what I can control. This is like the one place where like I have a say and like my voice counts a little bit. And I do think it's something that would improve our organization for the future. And so like, I am going to just light my torch. That's it.

Scott Cooper: You don't have to say anything else. You don't have to do a post. You just said everything you need to say. Yeah, that's it. Also, I just on the name thing and we don't have to unpack this right now, but I would love to be able to change the name of horses that like have already shown. There's sometimes I see a horse. I'm like, love that horse. I freaking hate that name. There's no way I would buy that horse just because of its name. But you know, it showed so you can't. But like, y'all, come on.

Crysta Brown: Okay, well that's it. That's how I feel. I know. I know.

Scott Cooper: Like, I'm not going to give examples. You know what I'm talking about. Like, don't. Don't.

Crysta Brown: I think Sometimes I think folks get too creative. I'm put it that way. I don't like, okay. Well, okay, I think there's two ends of the spectrums. There's some that are like so off the wall and I'm like, you are gonna disrupt the marketability of that animal with that name. And then there.

Scott Cooper: The ones I'm thinking about aren't creative. That's the problem. Right. Like naming your horse something super political. Y'all be smart. Like come on.

Crysta Brown: ⁓ I don't really like that at all. Yeah. Yeah. I don't like that. And I also don't like when it's like a name, like, okay, Zippo sensation is like the like, okay, right? Like amazing. But it's like every horse is, you know, he's a sensation. Who's a sensation? What's a sensation? And that doesn't mean that there aren't cool names with sensation in them. But I just wish we could get a little more creative with those so that it's like more identifiable.

Scott Cooper: like too sexy. of sensation. when I buy this baby, this double that is going to be Chip's little son. Presumably he doesn't have a name yet. I am 100 % baby Chip. 100 % making up the best name that probably would have nothing to do with either pair because it's going to be a gelding. Like it does not. If you're naming geldings, it does not need to, who cares? Who cares what it's out of? It could be out of a donkey. Like no one cares as long as it's talented. So I will.

Crysta Brown: Mm. Mini Chip. ⁓ Yeah, it doesn't matter. I am a chronic name changer, so you are in safe company.

Scott Cooper: Well, I'm very good at creating names. People have actually paid me for it to name their folds. So that's my side hustle. But anyway, I will come up with like a super fun name. And usually the names I love are usually like current pop culture, but not too current so that in 10 years you won't know. Like they gotta be kind of iconic, whatever. That'll be fine.

Crysta Brown: Yeah, yes, yes. But I think it's good if it's fun. It's good if it's something a little fun, a little exciting. Anyway, yeah. So that's it. I love our organization. I love that there are people that come together. Like, being at Quarter Horse Convention, I kind of don't know exactly what I'm getting myself into. But yeah, I feel like if nothing else, it's going to be really eye-opening. mean, I don't.

Scott Cooper: Right. Anyway. Can't wait to hear the report.

Crysta Brown: Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm pretty sure Quarter Horse is the largest breed organization in the world. So like, I'm super curious to kind of see some of the nuts and bolts, see the conversations that are had, see how people feel. I feel like though I'm a Quarter Horse owner, though I've shown Quarter Horse, though I'm like getting more and more active in that show community, like I don't have as much skin in the game here. Like I don't maybe have enough of a scope. to really have some strong opinions about what they're doing. So I feel like I get to be an observer, which I'm really kind of intrigued by, interested in.

Scott Cooper: I'm gonna say for now, I think that will change.

Crysta Brown: Yeah, you give me three days and I'm gonna be like, I could fix everything. Make me the queen. I will fix it all.

Scott Cooper: At the end, you're next week, right next week on this episode, Chris is like, and here's all the stupid things that we need to change in corridors.

Crysta Brown: No, I would never say the stupid things. But here's the thing, like I just want to end by saying like, we have some fantastic leadership in our horse organizations and they are doing really, really good work. And just because there are times where they'd make choices that I go like, but I really wanted this other choice doesn't mean that these organizations are doing a bad job or leadership is doing a bad job. It just means in these some particular instances, ⁓ think it would have been cooler if we did it the other way.

Scott Cooper: Amen.

Crysta Brown: And that is the sum total of what we're talking about. It's completely subjective. And I think we all need to remember that you can't be all of the good that the horse show world needs, but the horse show world needs all of the good that you can do.

Scott Cooper: Amen, sister. All right, y'all, we will see you next week. Bye.

Crysta Brown: Bye.