Jessie Paine Dressage

09/13/2026

Sale Pony Lizzie found her new person — and she was the very first person to come try her! 🥹

While we’re so sad to say “See ya later,” we couldn’t be happier that Lizzie has found such a lovely family. And I’m especially thrilled that she’ll be under the watchful eye of my friend Sarah Duclos!

Wishing Lizzie and her new family all the best in their next chapter together. ❤️

09/13/2026

Perfect end to a perfect day: a photo essay 😆

AM: Teach some talented kiddos with their super cool humans.

Afternoon: Sir Baby and I ride in a clinic with a fancy European judge who is super chill. I nerd out on the trailer drive home contemplating the meaning and use of bend 🧐

PM: my cat on my lap, my favorite sushi and a glass of wine (it’s boxed and it’s fantastic!), and watching my lesson video.

To all a good night!

PS. Thank you Martha and Babsi of Sycamore Station for organizing and including us!

09/08/2026

How generous these animals are, to lend us their freedom.

We ask so much of our horses. The lifestyle. The rides. The stall. The work. The movements. The scores. The goals. The shows. The next level. The trailer ride. The clinic. The expectation. The hope…

I think the most important thing is remembering what they give us simply by saying, “Yes.”

Yes - you can put on my halter.

Yes - you can tie me.

Yes - you can tack me.

Yes - you can get on my back.

Yes - you can TEACH me.

Yes - you can, you can, and I will, I will.

Yes - I will for YOU.

And what a privilege it is to be trusted with it.

09/05/2026

Okay, you guys. 🥹🥹🥹

I am so overwhelmed — and honestly, so touched — by the response to my last post about Adult Amateurs and all of the things you have to balance.

I admire you so much for finding a way to prioritize your horses and carve out time for something that means so much to you, even when life is incredibly full.

I feel especially strongly about this because I’ve been there. Before horses became my full-time career, I was a lawyer (don’t hold that against me — I’m a “recovering attorney,” lol 😂). I know what it’s like to feel like you’re balancing two completely separate lives — on different planets, in different universes. 🌍🪐 I know what it takes to make them coexist, and to find the things that fill your cup.

Which brings me to the rider in the photo who inspired that post: Danielle.

You know what Danielle did this week?
She got on her 3-year-old Westfalen gelding, Malibu, for the FIRST TIME.

Like… casually. 😂

And he did GREAT. And she did SPECTACULAR.

Per usual, Danielle was cool as a cucumber, because apparently that is just how she operates. Meanwhile, I’m sure there are plenty of trainers who would have been holding their breath somewhere nearby. 😉

I love moments like this because they’re about so much more than simply getting on a young horse for the first time.
They represent all of the time, effort, patience, learning, and commitment that came before that moment.

And they represent the village.

My assistant trainer, Rachel, has not only started Malibu, but she figuratively held the reins for Danielle’s first time swinging a leg over. Rachel is a person of profound integrity, love, and work ethic, and I am watching her blossom into a trainer who leads by example. I could not be prouder to have her beside me.

And I found myself thinking about how incredibly lucky I am to have Danielle as a student — and even luckier to call her a friend.

The same goes for Rachel. It is rare for me to trust someone, let alone trust them with my horses. And it is an entirely different level of trust to hand over the reins of a freshly started three-year-old to someone who is about to put my Super Fancy Vascular Neurologist on him for the first time. 😂❤️

But that’s what this is about, too.
Trust. Friendship. Hard work. And the people who make these moments possible.

To all of my Adult Amateurs: I see how hard you work. I see how much you juggle. And I see how much your horses mean to you.

It is an absolute privilege to be a small part of your journeys. 💙💜💙🐴

08/31/2026

There is something I deeply admire about my adult amateur ladies. 💙💜💙

They have careers. They have children. They have spouses, homes, endless responsibilities, and calendars that make my head spin.

And somehow… they still make room for the horses.

They squeeze in the barn before work. They come straight from the office. They rearrange schedules, find childcare, drive in after long days, and sometimes (often!) ride when they are already completely exhausted.

Not because they have unlimited time.

Because this matters to them.

This photo is one of my favorite reminders of that. A doctor, a full-time professional, a mom of two toddlers — and a horsewoman — carving out a little piece of the evening to do something that fills her cup. Just her, her horse, and a sunset.

Here’s to the women who have a million things on their plates — and still make time for their horses. 🥂🐴✨

08/31/2026

“Sweet Dreams” - from Fanta 🐈

08/28/2026

2025 ➡️ 2026 ✨

Okay, friends… I’m going to make myself a little vulnerable here. 😂

Take a look at these two photos and tell me what you see as the biggest differences between 2025 and 2026. 👀

And I mean really look. The horse. The rider. The connection. The balance. The way the movement is being produced.

But please… be nice. 😂🙈 I’m asking for honest eyes, not a roast!

One of my favorite things about dressage is that the progress isn’t always about a bigger movement, a higher score, or a new level. Sometimes it’s in the little details—the way the horse carries himself, the way the rider influences the balance, and how much more together the picture feels.

I know what I see looking at these two photos, but I’d love to hear what you see.

👇 What differences jump out at you between 2025 and 2026?

Bonus points if you can get specific! 😉💜

Quadruple bonus points if you can be NICE😅😅😅!!

08/27/2026

Such a fun and educational opportunity! Thank you Alliance Dressage & Sporthorse INC for hosting! Reach out to her for auditing- you will not be disappointed!!

Flight issues! Friday times changing!

🌟 Don’t Miss Our Christopher Hickey Clinic! 🐴

We’re excited to welcome Christopher Hickey this Friday & Saturday!

Come spend the day watching talented riders and horses at a variety of levels, and experience the opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired by Christopher’s instruction.

👀 Auditors are welcome!

Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:15 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:45 PM

Whether you ride, train, or simply enjoy watching great dressage, come join us for a wonderful weekend of learning and inspiration!

🐴 We can’t wait to see you!

08/25/2026

Good Morning ☀️!

As we enjoy the last few months of green, I’ve been thinking a lot about my goals for 2027.

One of the big ones is to get more lessons for myself! This year, due to injury, scheduling conflicts, and technology issues, I probably had about 8-10 online lessons and nothing in person so far (but two clinics coming up over the next few weeks!!).

Have you started to think about your plans for 2027?

08/24/2026

✨ Horse Show Recap ✨

DunMovin Dressage Days at the Devon Showgrounds is such a special event — Big Show Feel, but Local Show Love. 💜 Thank you so much to the amazing organizers and incredible volunteers who make it all possible!

Marian successfully piloted Bravio through his very first Third Level test on Saturday!! He was all flare (complete with a few leaps and some exuberance in the changes), and she was all smiles. I’m so, so proud of them and excited to be a part of their team!

Carley brought her four-year-old Scylla down centerline in the Dixon on Sunday for the AA SS. They put in a super score — 71!!! — and had a beautiful presentation! Scylla is a lovely young horse who is currently riding the young horse rollercoaster of being a savant one moment and a quirky girl the next. 😂 I’m so pleased that Carley gave her yet another wonderful experience and is laying such a lovely foundation for her bright future!

Six-year-old Furst Sir Prize showed a glimpse of what’s to come with 70% and 71% on Friday in Third Level 3-3, earning him Third Level High Score 🥇, and then laid it all out there for where we sometimes currently are with a lovely comment of “much disobedience (kicked and bolted)” on Saturday. 😂

I felt somewhat justified, as people often remark about how relaxed he is when I’m internally thinking, I swear I’m sitting on a rocket 🚀 that’s about to go BOOM!!

I was also able to cheer on Super Cooper (Kynynmont Cooper O’Grady) and Melissa in their I-1 Freestyle Friday night, and I could feel Pam smiling down. 🥹 That was truly the icing on the cake of a great horse show weekend.

As always, many thanks to Rachel, Jen, and Olivia for managing the farm while I ran off to play in a very fancy sandbox. 💜