From the Ground Up: Building an International Dressage Horse in America

There is a moment in every rider’s life when the dream begins to feel real - not because you have arrived, but because you realize how far you have come. For me, that journey did not begin with international horses or a clear path forward. It began the way it does for so many American riders: with a deep love of horses, and the willingness to work for every opportunity.

One of Jennifer's first horse shows

Growing up, nothing was handed to me. Every hour in the saddle was something I earned

through dedication, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to improving. My early years

were defined by long days at the barn, learning not just how to ride, but how to care for horses, how to listen to them, and how to develop the patience required to truly understand them. There were no shortcuts. Progress came slowly, and every small step forward represented countless unseen hours of work.

What those years gave me was something far more valuable than immediate success. They gave me a foundation. One built on resilience, discipline, and respect for the process of development. That foundation has shaped every stage of my career.

As I continued to grow as a rider, my goals grew with me. The dream of developing a horse to

the highest levels of international sport was no longer something distant. It became something I

was willing to build, step by step. But in the United States, building an international horse is

rarely a straight line. It requires faith. It requires sacrifice. And above all, it requires patience.

Jennifer showing as a working student

Finding D’Vinci was not the end of that journey. It was the beginning of a new chapter.

From the very beginning, he possessed something special — not just in his movement, but in his mind. His intelligence, his sensitivity, and his willingness to work made it clear that he had the potential to become an exceptional horse. But potential is only the starting point. Developing that potential into strength, confidence, and consistency requires time, trust, and an unwavering commitment to doing things correctly.

Every day, we build that foundation together.

There are rides where everything comes together, where you can feel the future taking shape

beneath you. And there are rides where progress feels quieter, where the work is less visible but no less important. These are the moments that define true development. They are where strength is built. Where trust is solidified. Where partnership becomes unshakable.

This is the reality of building an international dressage horse the American way.

It is not defined by instant success, but by years of preparation. It is shaped by early mornings,

late nights, and the quiet determination to continue forward, even when the path is uncertain. It is built through belief - belief in the horse, belief in the process, and belief in the possibility of what lies ahead.

D’Vinci represents everything this journey stands for. He is not simply a horse being trained for

competition. He is a partner being developed with care, with patience, and with a long-term

vision. Together, we are working toward the highest levels of the sport, including the goal of

representing the United States on the international stage.

But this moment, right now, is not the culmination of that journey. It is the continuation of

everything that began years ago, when I first learned what it meant to work for something you

love.

Every ride, every challenge, and every breakthrough is part of building something meaningful.

Something lasting. Something earned. This is what it looks like to build a horse, a partnership, and a dream - from the ground up.

And this is only the beginning.

As we continue to develop, our eyes remain on the future and the opportunity to represent the

United States at the highest levels of international sport. The road to the Olympic stage is not

defined by a single moment, but by years of careful preparation, trust, and belief in the process. With D’Vinci, I am committed to that process - to developing him into the strongest, most confident partner he can become, and to honoring the journey that brought us here. The path to LA28 is built one day, one ride, and one step forward at a time.

D'Vinci and Jennifer warming up for his I2 debut