Dressage Life with JJ Tate

Show season can be a wild ride; big highs, deep lows, and everything in between. The story you tell yourself after a bad ride or a great one is everything. Because what happens in the ring is only part of it - the meaning you attach to it is what shapes what comes next. In this episode, JJ shares the real journey behind a 70% Grand Prix, including the very difficult ride that came just before it,...

This episode marks JJ’s return to sharing what’s been on her mind. A recent injury forced her to slow down and confront how easily self-care slips when life gets busy. She reflects on the idea of doing less, sooner - in life as in riding - and why small daily adjustments are far better than waiting for a big correction. From there, she shifts the focus to what’s happening beneath the saddle pad. W...

In this episode, JJ welcomes fellow dressage trainers Liz Austin and Kate Poulin to the podcast. All three of these remarkable women share a bond beyond horses: each was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. They share three different journeys that echo one another and quietly underscore how vital it is to listen to our bodies and advocate for our own care. They speak candidly about the fea...

In this episode, JJ talks with Natalie Hummel, whose breakthrough work in nervous-system-based performance and self-mastery is changing how we approach pressure, performance, and personal development. Natalie’s shares her path from the equestrian world into psychology, how her work grew out of her own experiences in sport and as an educator, and why understanding the nervous system, emotions, and...

In this episode, JJ sits down with long-time friends Kate and Martin Kuhn, the husband-and-wife team behind StarWest in New Berlin, Illinois. Together, they do it all: from selecting and purchasing top-quality US-bred foals to developing them all the way to Grand Prix, all while balancing teaching, mentoring, and raising a family. They share how they choose the young horses they invest in, what th...

We’re thrilled to welcome Olympic champion and world-class horsewoman Ingrid Klimke to the podcast! 🐴🎙️ In this special episode, Ingrid shares a peek into her daily life balancing family, horses, and international competition. Ingrid shares her typical training schedule and some thoughts on the current state of dressage. 🎧 Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most respected rider...

In this episode, JJ shares a couple of the most common challenges she’s recently encountered while teaching clinics across the country. These reflections remind us all that horses don’t just challenge us to be better riders—they help us become better people. This episode was originally featured in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV, a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage l...

Join JJ and special guest Melissa Wessel for a fascinating discussion on how this type of passive neurofeedback can help your horse (and yourself!) reset the brain to treat issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other trauma responses. JJ has seen and experienced firsthand the success this modality has had not only for herself, but also her students and many horses in just a few short sessions...

Does your horse have a favorite exercise? Have you ever asked yourself why they like it? In this episode, JJ talks about taking accountability and the decisions we make both in and out of the saddle. Learning to embrace feedback without attachment is a huge part of improving as a rider, and as a human! This episode was originally featured in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook g...

In this podcast episode JJ welcomes two special guests, her husband Richard Malmgren, and their friend and fellow dressage trainer, Harley Sarge, to discuss the transformative 75 Hard program. Harley and Richard share their experiences and delve into the details of the 75-day mental toughness challenge created by Andy Frisella. They discuss the program's five key tasks and share the physical a...

One of the most influential figures in American dressage, Lendon Gray sits down with JJ to share some great stories—from her humble beginnings in the middle of nowhere Maine, to competing the Olympics, and now creating educational programs for equestrians of all ages. Through her tireless efforts to bring young people into the sport, regardless of their backgrounds, Lendon is shaping a new generat...

JJ goes off script a little in this heartfelt episode when she shares some recent challenges with horses in her barn. As custodians of these incredible animals, we need to do them the service of hearing them when they are having difficulty, whether that's pain, the memory of pain or confusion. We also need to teach them resilience, so things like riding when everyone else is being fed, or at d...

JJ kicks off her return to podcasting with a thought-provoking conversation with her sports psychologist, Annette Paterakis. Riding and caring for horses isn’t just a passion—it’s a lifestyle filled with endless challenges and opportunities for growth. In this episode, JJ and Annette explore how the transformative power of presence can help riders quiet the mental noise and build a deeper understa...

In this episode, JJ sits down with 6-time Olympian and dressage legend Steffen Peters for a heartfelt conversation about life both in and out of the competition arena. They explore the importance of hobbies and downtime, especially after big shows, and the consequences of neglecting this balance. They also discuss the Paris Olympics and the qualities Steffen finds most important when looking for a...

Join us for this special bonus podcast where JJ sits down with Brett Parbery, this year's Dressage at Devon Masterclass presenter. Brett offers a glimpse into his distinctive Australian upbringing and background, along with some entertaining stories that highlight his well-rounded experience as an equestrian. He also discusses his training philosophies and what he hopes to convey to the Devon...

JJ welcomes back rider biomechanics expert Suzanne Galdun to talk about their upcoming collaboration called Basics to Brilliance. This symposium-style clinic is being hosted by the All Dressage Association in Fruitport, Michigan. This is an event not to be missed and there's still time to get there! https://alldressageassociation.com/clinics/adas-40th-anniversary-symposium-basics-to-brilliance...

We all want our horses relaxed and happy to work with us, but what does that actually mean? And how do we achieve it? JJ adds dimension to the concept and reminds us that we are here to help, not harass, the horse. This episode was originally featured on July 4, 2024, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lovers just like you. If you’...

How do you train a horse? This week, JJ shares her thoughts on the parallels of evolving as a human and training a horse, and 2 things we need to not be afraid of doing: Weeding and Cooking. This episode was originally featured on June 24, 2024, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lovers just like you. If you’re on Facebook we welco...

In what JJ hopes to turn into a regularly visited theme, she talks about how so much of being a good rider goes against our normal human instinctual responses. This week, she'll cover how we tend respond when the horse suddenly comes off the bit, and how we actually should respond. This episode was originally featured on May 31, 2024, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook g...

In this episode, JJ shares how she handled a near-disastrous warmup with Denali at a recent CDI, and still managed a great test (and a win!). How she did it applies in our daily rides, too; sometimes we need to stop stopping to analyze and just get on with it! This episode was originally featured on May 22, 2024, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & sup...

Whether it's improving our own riding skills or training the horse, it all takes repetition. Sometimes it feels like we're at it forever! But, giving one big aid or working on something a couple of times, even if it feels successful, does not mean the horse now gets it and will do it that way forever, or that your position is permanently improved. We need to continue to work toward improve...

Just like with horses, being able to give ourselves a half halt before things spin out of control is a valuable skill. In this podcast, JJ shares the inner work that she's been focusing on and how it relates to riding, showing, and everything else we do with horses. This episode was originally featured on February 7, 2024, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of insp...

Do you ever go to a clinic or a lesson and have this big breakthrough? Or sometimes one thing gets better and something else gets worse? In this short but sweet podcast, JJ shares some tips on how to use the information you learn at a clinic or lesson to craft a training plan so you can build on what you learned and be ready for next time! This is an encore presentation of one of JJ's first po...

In this recently found recording from almost 2 years ago, JJ talks about what the Grand Prix means to her. It's not about having a fancy horse or even a well-trained one, but the qualities and life lessons learned as we work toward the top level of dressage. No matter what level rider you are, what kind of horse you ride, or what level of training your horse has, we can all be working on becom...

This week we're sharing something usually reserved for Academy members only! We thought our loyal listeners would enjoy hearing a partial recording of an "Ask JJ Anything" Tack Room Chat. During these special chats, Academy members can ask JJ anything. Listen in as JJ answers questions that include helping an OTTB transition to a dressage horse, how to determine if it's the saddl...