Quinn Ridgway credit Mark Donaldson
Day One at the CHIO Aachen:
Arriving at CHIO Aachen for the first time felt as though I stepped into an equestrian wonderland. I was immediately shocked by the stunning horses, the sheer scale, the immaculate arenas, the grand stadiums, and the flawless landscaping. It was surreal to have the opportunity to watch and learn from riders whom I've admired for years, from the warm-up all the way to the ring. It is truly a privilege to witness something so legendary!
In our discussions today, we talked about how the sport is evolving. Olympic bronze medalist Ali Brock said that people must be reasonable with the changes to try to prevent the pendulum from swinging too far in either direction. We must acknowledge that anything too drastic may lead to unforeseen effects.
The founder of Eurodressage, Astrid Appels, told us that riders often feel immense pressure—not just from owners, spectators, and clients, but also from their national federations—to deliver excellent results in competition. But ultimately, she stressed that riders must remain deeply self-aware and ensure that their ego does not influence their decision-making.
Dr. Johan Lenz, the Swedish team veterinarian, explained that there must be a greater focus on harmony, relaxation, and ethical training methods. More importantly, he emphasized the need to “seek better education for riders so their horses understand what they are being asked.” He mentioned research led by Andrew McClean, an Australian rider working to understand what the horse is capable of mentally and how they approach things. Lenz stated that research on how the equine brain functions is about 20 years behind that of dogs.
Markus Scharmann, Director of the Training Center in Warendorf, Germany, echoed the sentiments of Brock, Lenz, and Appels. As a training master at the center, he emphasized that we all must take responsibility and act in ways that prioritize animal welfare. In order to do this, riders need to approach riding with integrity and education, so they do not confuse the horse. He highlighted both his and Lenz's perspectives on approaching the changing climate with a powerful example: he randomly told us, “Stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down.” Naturally, we all sat there unsure of what to do. That demonstration gave me an even deeper sense of compassion and empathy for horses, whose kind nature allows them to try, even when they’re unsure of what’s being asked. He closed by explaining the necessity to recognize that horses are far more than just competitors. They are teachers—partners who help us grow and learn in ways that would be impossible without them.
After speaking individually with this fantastic group of professionals across the equine industry, it was encouraging to hear all of them have a similar thought process: the horse first, because we all started out with horses because we simply loved them. Riders must remain true to themselves and prevent outside pressures from changing their perspective. To combat this disruption in the sport, it is becoming clear that we must self-reflect on riders' education, their training system, and how that impacts their overall approach to training. As Scharmann states most accurately, we must once again see horses as more than a machine to win, but rather as an opportunity to learn from them, to develop and evolve both as individuals and as a whole sport.
Meeting with Markus Scharmann, Head of the German National Training Center
Day Two:
Today we had the incredible opportunity to watch the CDI 5*. It was truly a lesson in witnessing top riders experience both the highest highs and the lowest lows—the reality of equestrian sport. It was also remarkable to observe the entire process, from the first steps in the warm-up ring to riding down centerline in the massive stadium.
Some of my personal favorite combinations included the queen of dressage, Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine; Becky Moody and Jagerbomb; Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus; and Kasey Perry-Glass and Heartbeat. They were nothing short of inspiring.
In addition, we had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with Laura Roberts and Christine Traurig.
Laura Roberts, Director of Dressage at USEF, emphasized the importance of synergy between coaches, judges, Chefs d’Equipe, and other stakeholders, pointing out that while everyone has a different role, we all share the same goal—ensuring the continued success and sustainability of dressage. Regular meetings and open dialogue, she suggested, could help address the challenges currently facing our sport.
Christine Traurig, U.S. Team Coach and Chef d’Équipe, began our conversation by reflecting on her early realization that unconditional love for the horse wasn’t enough. She needed to educate herself further to be clearer and fairer to the horse. She stressed that knowledge must be paired with common sense and feel. In her view, classical dressage ideals and training scale are essential because once you understand those principles, riding becomes logical.
She placed strong emphasis on the foundation of the training scale, particularly maintaining appropriate tempo, contact, suppleness, and relaxation. Every step in training builds on the one before, and riders must not compromise these fundamentals. Riders expect the best from their horses, so it is only fair that horses expect the best from their riders. It is the rider’s responsibility to guide the horse step-by-step, always with fairness and clarity.
Our conversation with Traurig tied in beautifully with the themes we had just discussed with Roberts. Traurig emphasized that everyone involved in the sport must promote good riding and be brave enough to admit that training will never be perfect. That’s the reality of horse training—or any kind of training. Anyone who’s tried to learn something new knows that the process includes uncertainty, mistakes, progress, and triumph. These moments are not inherently bad—they’re an essential part of growth.
However, as Traurig pointed out, following the classical methods and the training scale helps minimize confusion for the horse. Like Roberts, she highlighted the need for unity among all participants in the sport.
It was truly fascinating to hear from two leaders in the industry and to explore their perspectives on so many topics. Across the board, our speakers echoed a common message: In the pursuit of excellence, we must emphasize ethical training based on classical theory, stay committed to building understanding between horse and rider, find common ground within the sport, and support and reward training that upholds the welfare of the horse.
Thank you, Novella Equestrian, for donating these fantastic shirts!
Day Three:
Coming soon!
Day Four:
Coming soon!
Day Five:
Coming soon!
