Thoughts of the day

In a discipline as exacting and tradition-rich as dressage, progress depends not only on talent and training, but on the strength of the community that surrounds the horse. Riders, trainers, owners, and breeders all play distinct yet interdependent roles, and when those roles are pitted against one another through criticism, gatekeeping, or quiet rivalry, the entire sport suffers.

Dressage is uniquely collaborative. A successful test reflects years of thoughtful breeding decisions, careful ownership support, skilled training, and a rider’s daily commitment to correct, ethical work. When any one group is dismissed or undermined, the shared goal—developing sound, willing, expressive horses—is weakened. Supporting one another acknowledges a simple truth: no one reaches excellence alone.

“Tearing each other down often stems from fear.”

Tearing each other down often stems from fear—fear of limited opportunities, recognition, or resources. Yet a culture of scarcity is a false one. When trainers mentor rather than compete destructively, when riders credit the programs and horses that shaped them, when owners and breeders are treated as valued partners rather than silent financiers, the sport becomes more transparent, sustainable, and attractive to the next generation.

Mutual support also directly benefits horse welfare. Open dialogue, shared learning, and respect across roles encourage better decision-making and accountability. Constructive feedback replaces gossip; education replaces judgment. Horses thrive in environments where humans are aligned rather than adversarial.

Ultimately, dressage aspires to harmony—between horse and rider, strength and suppleness, power and lightness. The community should reflect the same principles. By choosing collaboration over criticism, and generosity over ego, dressage professionals and enthusiasts alike can elevate not just individual careers, but the integrity and future of the sport itself.