Good Riding is Good Riding

In 2021 when Ali Brock told me to fly to PA and interview with Kynynmont Connemaras, I expressed my concern that I would be pigeonholed as a pony rider (I LOVE my ponies and I LOVE my small horses. But in a world that loves labels, and where those labels may impact your career, you need to flesh it out!).

Her response is something that has guided me ever since: “No one calls Sabine a Friesian rider. Good riding is good riding.”

It’s important to point out this was March 2021, 5 short months before Sabine Schut-Kery was standing on an Olympic podium!

I had no comeback for that (ok…in my head I’m thinking, “But I’m not Sabine,” but I kept that to myself!).

I booked a plane ticket. The rest is history.

And no matter what I’m riding, I hold myself to the standard that good riding is good riding. It doesn’t matter if you are on a 20-year-old Morgan, a 4-year-old pony, or a 9-year-old warmblood freshly off the plane from Europe-ride with principles, integrity and feel.

In May 2025, I had the absolute privilege of riding with Sabine. I think I rode well. And I think I have a heck of a ton of ponies to thank for that.

– Jessie