A Breeder’s Case for Choosing a Dressage Horse
Not All Horses Need to Be Grand Prix or the ubiquitous FEI Potential
Tesse: Holstien mare, 26 years old - loved and adored to the very last moment
Riding for me is almost a spiritual experience, the feeling of communicating subtly with my horse and getting the response of “I understand” is just impossible to describe in any other way.
I know many riders feel the same way and want a horse that will give them that “I understand” response. Yet the market is full of horses advertised as “FEI potential” or “Grand Prix material.” Those labels sell, but they don’t always serve the rider who wants a steady partner at home.
Let’s be honest about what most dressage amateurs do. A tiny fraction will ever aim for FEI classes. The majority ride for pleasure at home, enjoy learning, and perhaps attend a few small shows. These riders need horses that are easy to handle, forgiving, and physically built to stay sound for years. That’s why my breeding focus is simple: good conformation, three balanced gaits, high ridability, and an even temperament.
These qualities create the spiritual, communicative experience I described—the quiet “I understand” that makes riding feel almost sacred.
My first dressage horse, Wotan, was a 14‑year‑old schoolmaster who taught me to ride—he rewarded correct aids and forgave mistakes. Wotan prepared me for taking on my lovely Tesse, who was a green 5 year old who became my heart horse, the Queen of my stable and my animal soulmate.
Do I want my horses to be capable of the highest levels? Yes. Do I think every horse should be marketed or bred with that as the primary goal? No. The ideal buyer for most of my foals is the committed amateur who wants a partner to learn with—not a project to push to Grand Prix.
If you’re shopping, be realistic. Find a horse that fits your ability and ambition. Make sure your trainer is honest about what you can achieve. Avoid being “over‑horsed.” The right horse will teach you, reward correct riding, and give you that indescribable feeling of connection.
The Rider Is the Deciding Factor
A horse’s ceiling is only meaningful if the rider has the skill, time, and support to reach it. Ask honestly:
Do you want to pursue FEI?
Do you have a coach experienced at that level?
Are you prepared for the time, expense, and physical demands?
If the answer to any of those is “no,” a horse advertised as Grand Prix potential is not a benefit—it can be a very expensive mistake. Perhaps you have heard the term being “over horsed” : a horse that’s too forward, sensitive, or powerful for the rider’s current ability undermines progress and enjoyment.
How to Choose the Right Horse
Be realistic about your goals and honest about your skills. Use this checklist when shopping:
Goal alignment: Will this horse help you reach your realistic goals?
Trainer input: Does your coach agree this horse is a match?
Rideability test: Does the horse respond to subtle aids and stay steady under imperfect riding? Or as we say, “can the horse take a joke?”
Temperament check: Is the horse forgiving and calm in new situations?
Conformation review: Does the horse look built to stay sound for the work you want?
“Over‑horsed” warning signs: Excessive sensitivity, constant tension, or a need for advanced, daily management.
If you’re buying for pleasure and steady improvement, prioritize ridability and temperament over flashy potential. Please focus on the hind-legs when trying to evaluate a horse’ potential as a dressage horse, stop praising and glaring at those front legs that fly out half a mile in front of the horse in trot. Trust me when I tell you this little secret you Can’t ride a sitting trot on those legs!
We are not all FEI riders, and that’s okay. The right horse for most of us is one that teaches, listens, and stays sound long enough to grow with us. Wotan wasn’t flashy, but he taught me to ride and gave me the skill to take on the training of a young, green horse (my adorable Tesse) —and that lesson is worth more than any Grand Prix promise. As breeders and buyers, let’s value horses that create partnerships, and long lasting enjoyment.
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