Is perfection the goal of dressage? Is perfection what dressage masters expected of all dressage riders who follow their teachings?

Is Perfection the Goal of Dressage?

By Jennifer Klitzke

Recently I watched a video of my gaited dressage mentor Jennie Jackson riding the late legendary naturally gaited dressage stallion—Champagne Watchout. Jennie and Watchout were the ONLY rider/Tennessee walking horse team in history to train and show at the highest levels of gaited dressage.

The video shows Jennie riding Watchout at 21 years old, who had been retired for a few years and far from show shape. Yet, I saw two good friends reminiscing some the best moments of their lives as they danced between piaffe and passage in gait. While I was tickled to watch Jennie riding Watchout again, others criticized the missteps and imperfections.

Was every step perfect? Did they need to be?

While a few folks focused on faults, I noticed the engagement, harmony, rhythm, balance, softness, relaxation, collection, connection—and pure JOY! I could only imagine what it must have felt like to ride such a powerful naturally gaited stallion—even in his retirement. I aspire for the day to reach this level of training with one of my naturally gaited horses.

Will we reach perfection? Do we need to?

Will that be my goal? No.

Never again.

Perfection: The buzzkill joyless endeavor

I know that buzzkill joyless endeavor firsthand. Back in 1988, when I first began my dressage journey, I was driven to be an Olympian.

(Yes, feel free to insert laughter, because I’m laughing now, too.)

During that time in my life, dressage became a driven, self-seeking pursuit. Yes, I loved my horse, but I used him to achieve my lofty perfectionistic goals.

Then one day I was humbled. After riding at our first recognized show, the judge surprised me when she called me forward. She raved about my horse. I smiled with pride and gave my horse a big pat.

Then the judge asked if she could buy him. She said I didn’t have the talent to ride a horse like that.

Dotting the arena with a trail of tears, her harsh words met my ambitious goals. Crushed, I returned home reflecting on what had happened. The encounter was a turning point for me. I realized that perfectionism is a buzzkill joyless endeavor.

The best I can be vs the best there is

I returned to riding with a new frame of mind. I stopped expecting perfection from my horse and from myself. I stopped striving to be the best there is. I just wanted to become the best rider and trainer I can be for my horse.

Riding became a partnership instead of a selfish pursuit. My horse found relaxation and harmony, and so did I.

Since that time, dressage has become the language I speak with my horse. Dressage is a daily discovery as a rider and trainer. It is an ongoing dialogue between me and my horse to bring about harmony, balance, rhythm, relaxation, connection, engagement, symmetry, collection—and JOY.

I even returned to showing as long as I remembered to check my motives and have some fun.

I don’t think “perfection” is the goal of dressage. So far, no one in history has ever ridden a perfect dressage test.

Is this a disgrace to the dressage masters? I don’t think so.

What are your thoughts? Please reach out send me a message or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and joining our community on facebook.com/naturallygaited.