Dressage rider and trainer Jessica Jo Tate (JJ) shares her insights on horsemanship, training, and competition in this interview. Tate, who began riding dressage at age nine and met her mentor Charles De Kunffy at age 11, emphasizes the importance of understanding horse behavior and communication. She describes horsemanship as learning to “speak horse,” interpreting not just what a horse is saying, but also the underlying reasons for their behavior. JJ believes in understanding a horse’s internal intentions and adapting one’s approach accordingly.
JJ’s training philosophy focuses on the rider’s role in achieving harmony with the horse. She stresses the importance of proper equitation and how the rider’s body, mind, aids, and intentions affect the horse. Her students learn to focus on how they are asking the horse to perform, aiming for beautiful, balanced movements achieved with ease. JJ’s approach emphasizes clear communication and strengthening the horse’s weaknesses through targeted exercises.
Discussing competition, JJ emphasizes integrity and avoiding pressure on the horse. She views competition as a test of the horse’s and rider’s understanding and preparation, not a display of forced movements. She wants her horses to feel confident and proud during competitions, and aims to showcase beautiful, stress-free riding.
She also discusses the transformative power of dressage training. She describes how horses who were once insecure or physically weak can blossom as they gain strength, balance, and confidence. She finds equal satisfaction in helping these “underdog” horses achieve their potential as she does in training horses for high-level competition. For Tate, the ultimate goal, whether at a local show or the Olympics, is to demonstrate that good, ethical riding prevails. She believes every horse has their own “Olympics,” moments of achieving harmony and ease in movements that were once challenging. Ultimately, JJ’s passion lies in improving horses’ lives by educating their riders and fostering a deep connection between horse and human.
Learn more at: teamtatedressage.com and teamtateacademy.com
