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INDUSTRY In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked some of the industry’s favorite couples—those who train together or balance a trainer/non-pro dynamic—what the secret is to building a successful partnership when love and livelihood share the same arena. From communication and trust to boundaries and balance, these couples open up about what it takes to build a strong relationship both in and out of the ring.
Austin and Alexis Gooding – We’re very lucky that we’re not the only ones involved in our business. Garth and Sonnesa work alongside Austin and help me (Alexis) quite a bit, which takes a lot of pressure off. Interestingly, the horses I usually get along best with are often the ones Garth rides, so it’s not always just Austin and me working side by side—and that balance has been a good thing for all of us. It’s taken nearly a decade of being together for me (Austin) to find the right rhythm between being both a trainer and a “horse show husband.” It’s not always perfect but getting to share this life and build something together makes it incredibly rewarding. A huge help for both of us has been the support of some truly amazing outside trainers and friends, including Gil Galyean, Robin Frid, and Kelly McDowall. Their guidance has made a meaningful difference for both of us and our program. In a trainer-non-pro relationship, it’s important to remember that the marriage comes first. While this is our livelihood, it still needs to be enjoyable—and let’s be honest, feedback almost always sounds better coming from someone other than your spouse!
Wade and Laura Spell – When mixing personal and professional lives, the grey area can easily become clouded. The secret to maintaining a successful work-life balance isn’t just one thing. It really starts with finding your best friend, because when you live and work together, you’re around this person almost 24/7, and stress and lack of space can quickly get to you. You’re both striving for the same goal, and constant fighting or arguing in a relationship or business environment simply doesn’t work. We try to use a lot of humor to manage stress and lighten the mood. We also keep things in perspective—it’s a horse show, and we have a separate life at home. You always need to put your spouse first, ahead of everything else, to stay grounded in what’s truly important. You have to ride the wave together through the good and the bad, the up and the downs. It’s not all glamorous or filled with wins. We also try to set aside time just for each other. Just because you’re around one another every day doesn’t mean you don’t need a date night. The main thing we’ve learned is the importance of finding someone with goals like yours—someone who is just as addicted to your dream as you are. Then, you can truly enjoy the process together. Of course, if Wade were answering this on his own, he’d tell you it’s simple: do everything the wife wants! If the wife is happy, everyone is happy.
74 | PREMIER | FEBRUARY 2026