12/05/2025
The Purpose of Dressage
The true purpose of dressage has always been simple:
To develop the horse into a powerful, balanced, supple, happy athlete—
and to develop the rider into a thoughtful, educated partner worthy of that horse.
Classical dressage was never about shortcuts.
It was about cross-training horses so they could perform any job with ease and longevity.
It was about riders putting in the time, the feel, and the discipline to become the very best for their horses—because the horse’s long-term welfare depended on it.
Somewhere along the way, we drifted.
We started looking for faster results, quicker fixes, and “hacks” that skipped over the foundational work. We forgot that true development—of both horse and rider—requires patience, consistency, and correct training.
It’s time to return to the original purpose.
To ride with integrity.
To train with empathy.
To prioritize the long-term soundness and confidence of the horse over the short-term picture.
Let’s get back to training athletes, not ornaments.
Partners, not machines.
Let’s honor the classical principles that keep horses healthy, willing, and proud to work with us.
As fast as today's world moves and changes, the horse is still the same.
Dressage was never meant to be rushed.
It was meant to be right.
