About the Show
Description: There’s a whole lot of stuff happening in the horse world and someone’s got to keep you up to date. Welcome to Happy Hour, brought to you by the Heels Down Spark, the only daily equestrian newsletter. Who is winning what? And what weird rules are you probably going to violate at your next horse show? What does your favorite rider really think about white breeches? Grab a drink and listen in. Cheers!
Published: Twice a month
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Our Episodes

Heels Down Magazine presents the Heels Down Happy Hour podcast. There’s a whole lot of stuff happening in the horse world, and someone’s got to keep you up to date. Who’s winning what? What weird rules are you probably going to violate at your next horse show? What does your favorite rider really think about white breeches? Don’t worry, that’s what we’re here for. Grab a drink. Welcome to Happy Hour.
In Radiothon Hour 4, Justine, Ellie and Jess bring you the official drink of Radiothon, Apple Cider Aperol Spritz. They are joined by members of the Auburn Equestrian Team, Stephanie Lambert (President), Alayna Backel (Vice-President) and Kate Midgley (Clinic Chair). Plus, they give away $400.00 in prizes.
Radiothon Hour 4 – Heels Down Happy Hour:
- The Heels Down Happy Hour crew: Justine Griffin, Ellie Woznica and Jessica Payne
- Charity of Choice: Please consider donating to Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses
- Title Sponsor: State Line Tack
- Voicemail Sponsor:Kentucky Performance Products
- Prize Sponsor: Benefab Products
- Guest: Stephanie Lambert
- Guest: Alayna Backel
- Guest: Kate Midgley
- Additional support for this hour provided by RideTV, Espoir Equestrian
Support The Show:
Become a Patreon for bonus content and access to our exclusive auditor community on Facebook!

Your Hosts

Justine Griffin
Justine Griffin is an award-winning journalist who has written about everything from horses to high-profile CEOs to her ovaries. (She donated her eggs once.) Two things she loves the most? Whippet puppies and cheese. Justine is a lifelong lover of Thoroughbreds and is a native Floridian.
Follow Justine on Instagram!

Ellie Woznica
Ellie Woznica happily lives on a mountain in northern Pennsylvania in her horses’ front yard. She works from home as a graphic designer, manure mucker, and zoo keeper, but only gets paid for one of those gigs. Ellie grew up showing hunter/jumpers (and still does) but in college, she learned to ride western and fell in love with reining and reined cow horse. Outside of horses, Ellie loves to knit, whittle, and write! Her boyfriend says she has too many hobbies.
Follow Ellie on Instagram!

Jessica Payne
Jessica Payne is an international event rider who is rarely seen without her long-haired chihuahua under her arm. She was born in London, Ontario, but grew up in Franklin, Tenn., and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Animal Science. She’s now a coach, a mom and one-half of Payne Equestrian, a full-service eventing, show jumping and dressage operation based in North Carolina with her Olympian husband, Doug. Jess once lost the tip of her pinky finger clipping her 5* horse, and husband Doug says she can “talk to anyone including a wall….and they will like it!”
Follow Jessica on Instagram!
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Recent Episodes
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Radiothon 2023 Hour 4 – Heels Down Happy Hour – HORSES IN THE MORNING
In Radiothon Hour 4, Justine, Ellie and Jess bring you the official drink of Radiothon, Apple Cider Aperol ...
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Sleepy Horse Girls
The horse internet is losing their minds over a unique and interesting clip job at Dressage Finals. This we...
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Mission Accomplished
Everybody ‘round here is nursing a serious horse show hangover. But never fear, we’ve got all the updates f...
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Talking About Makeovers
The countdown to the Thoroughbred Makeover is on! This week, we’re talking to a dressage trainer almost eve...
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Test R.I.D.E Your Supplements
Summer is for eventing championships, endless hoof care and … cocktails. This week, we’re debating about th...
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Retired Racehorses & Tasty Drinks
What’s the best way to pick a diamond in the rough off the racetrack? This week, we’re talking about OTTBs ...
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Breeding in America
What does it take to breed and train a sporthorse from the ground up? This week we’re talking to an America...
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Finding The Balance In Everything
This week we’re sipping on some skinny margs and talking about ration balancers. What are ration balancers ...