Dressage Life with JJ Tate

In this episode, JJ sits down with young horse trainer John Amber to share the fascinating story of how he has built a reputation among top dressage trainers for his mastery of skill with young horses.  He shares his experience and irreplaceable education in the incredibly fast-paced and efficient German warmblood production pipeline which almost ended his career prematurely following two cat...

In this encore podcast episode, JJ shares her thoughts on how to live and ride in alignment with your principles, and how to find and focus on your own journey with compassion, empathy, and grace.  --------  This episode was originally featured on March 17, 2022 in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lovers just like you. If...

Some things are too good to listen to only once! Please enjoy this encore episode from March 12, 2021.  JJ sits down with dressage superstar, Steffen Peters, for a deep conversation on who he is as a person, how he balances the challenges of competing, training, and life, along with his views on compassion, being present, dealing with self-doubt and anxiety and simply being a good human. Pour...

Have you ever wanted to pick up your whole life and move to Germany and train with some of the world's top riders? That's just what dressage rider JJ Tate has been doing, and in this episode, she takes us along on her whirlwind adventure of the last few months. It has been a much bigger adventure than she ever could have imagined....   --------  This episode was originally featured on Au...

"On the Bit" is one of those terms that can seem incredibly basic... but the more you learn, the deeper your understanding becomes! JJ likes to joke that while she is studying in Germany, she has been learning how to sit and how to put her horse on the bit. As an international Grand Prix Trainer, she might have *a little* more insight into this concept than the rest of us, but her point is that yo...

Have you ever had a health crisis suddenly disrupt your riding, your career, your whole... life?   "A month ago, my two biggest things were going to be taking Romeo to the developing Prix St George Championships and teaching Denali flying changes, but then cancer came knocking at my door, and it's a door you have to answer, even when you don't want to."     One week post double...

If having children is part of your path, you can definitely have your kids and horses, too!  JJ interviews Laura Burkett, a successful Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer who just had her second son. Laura shares her struggles, joys, and the surprising benefits of balancing motherhood with her career with horses. --------  This episode was originally featured on December 1, 2021 in JJ’...

"You win or lose in the warm-up."  JJ uses her Grand Prix warm-up on Derby at Nationals under adverse weather conditions as an example of how her thoughtful warm-up routine doesn't change "because I have my shiny boots on!" Whether you are a competitor or your goal is simply many years of sound and enjoyable riding, EVERY warm-up should include: 1 - lengthening and shortening your horses FRAM...

"You're up there by two graces. The grace of God, and the grace of that horse. And if either one of them wants you off, you're OFF."    Nicknamed "The Kid Pro" at her barn, talented sixteen year old JJ thought she could REALLY ride... until she got her fancy black warmblood Ehrenpreis! Ehrenpreis served her the lessons she needed about respect, patience, and the three evasions with a hea...

How do you know whether you should push through challenges with your horse to become a better rider or sell him and move on? In this episode, JJ discusses her criteria for making this difficult decision. She approaches the taboo subject of rider fear with both compassion and pragmatism, and encourages you to trust your trainer to help you decide when your emotions cloud your decision. Just like da...

A treat for the philosophical dressage riders out there... JJ gets deep, sharing lessons from sports psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser and classical dressage master Charles DeKunffy. Learn why you shouldn't believe everything you think, and how Hegel's Dialectics can help you ride like Charlotte Dujardin.   --------  This episode was originally featured on October 21, 2021 in JJ’s online com...

"What does an ice cream scoop, elf ears, and double-dutch jump rope have to do with dressage? In this episode, JJ shares some aha moments from her lessons with Susanne von Dietze-Pollack.  -------- This episode was originally featured on February 24, 2022 in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lovers just like you. If you’re on Fa...

In this episode, JJ sits down with up-and-coming dressage superstar, Anna Buffini  Get to know Anna as she chats with JJ about her recent successes in Germany, the tough road to get there, how she balances life, and her take on coping with the pressures of top-level competition. From an early start in gymnastics to the best rider of her life in Hagen; Anna shares her struggles, her heartbreak...

The three phases of training include: 1. The restorative phase 2. The therapeutic phase 3. Amplification of the gaits The horse moves through each phase during the course of its ridden life, but also in each training session. Learn more about each phase in this episode. -------- This episode was originally featured on September 22, 2021, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook gr...

In this episode, JJ shares the ins and outs of her recent adventure in transporting 5 horses to Germany to train with Michael Klimke for the summer. Hear all about prepping for the journey, the flight over, and settling in. -------- This episode was originally featured on April 2, 2022, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lovers jus...

In this episode, JJ sits down with equestrian biomechanics expert Susanne von Dietze to discuss The Rider's Process The horse world has a laser focus on how to improve the horse and what THEY must do but not enough has been taught about the rider’s role. At the start of her career, Susanne von Dietze observed a missing link in equestrian sport and was able to channel her background in physical the...

Progress isn't possible if you never open up that can of worms! The way forward is to examine the challenges, get help when needed, and imagine what's truly possible. When your horse understands, the movements can become joyful! -------- This episode was originally featured on November 3, 2021, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lo...

Riding without Stirrups is a wonderful practice to enhance your skill as a rider, but it's not just as simple as dropping your irons. JJ helps you understand what goes into the skill and understanding of how to do so effectively and in a way that is horse friendly.  ---------    This episode was originally featured on September 8, 2020, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a priva...

In this episode, JJ shares her insight on how we can get the most from our rides by processing decision making, trusting your gut, and having never-ending patience! She shares her own goals as an instructor, especially in the clinic setting, and how she strives to give riders tools to take home so they can continue to build on progress after the clinic or lesson.     &nbsp...

In this episode, JJ shares the secret that the best riders and trainers in the world do everyday with every horse: The basics! No matter what the level, going back to the basics can solve any training issue, as well as build the strength and education our horses need to advance in the training. So no matter where you are in this journey we call dressage, daily work on the basics will take you far!...

In this episode, JJ reminds us that it is up to us to be open to hearing what the horse has to say about our riding, and how the horse can only be as good as the information provided him. She also discusses common position flaws and miscues she sees and how to fix them.

Listening to your horse is key to good care, but it can also be a challenge to figure out what they're telling us and what the next best step is. In this episode, JJ talks through how she observes what her horses are saying, processes it, & decides when the vet is needed. --------- This episode was originally featured on August 12, 2021, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Faceboo...

Cross-training is for every horse! There are so many benefits to be found both physically and mentally. This episode is a preview of the Monthly Zoom Meeting from February 2021. JJ shares stories and insights from her mentors and personal experiences on this important topic. --------- This episode was originally featured on February 8, 2021, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Faceboo...

What A Year 2021 Has Been! Join JJ in this emotional episode as she recaps all the events that contributed to this wild ride, from cancer to getting back in the show ring, meditation, faith, and love helped JJ to make the most of every moment. PLUS tips from JJ about how you can face the challenges in your life. --------- This episode was originally featured on December 29, 2021, in JJ’s online co...

Setting goals is important to progress training with your horse. In this epidsode JJ shares how she approaches setting and modifiying goals, using three of her own horses as examples.   ---------   This episode was originally featured on January 20, 2021, in JJ’s online community, Team Tate TV a private Facebook group of inspired & supportive dressage lovers just like you. If yo...