My Dressage Journey — From Rocky to Lady

Hi friends!

Unlike many die-hard equestrians, I wasn’t born into the horse world. I found it later—during high school—and fell hard, fast, and forever in love with it. My journey didn’t begin with a fancy warmblood or a family tradition of riding. It started with a humble Quarter Horse named Rocky.

I first met Rocky in a lesson program after I had graduated off the more beginner-friendly horses. He wasn’t technically part of the lesson string, but my coach and his owner gave me a chance to ride him. From the first ride, we just clicked. He wasn’t exactly built for dressage, but he was kind, willing, and honest—and he gave me his whole heart.

This is me and Rocky :) 

Rocky took me to my very first shows, taught me patience, balance, and how to truly connect with a horse. We did everything together—trails, a little jumping, even some vaulting—but it was dressage that really hooked me. I’ll never forget ordering my very first Wintec Isabell dressage saddle after we bought him—I was so excited! Rocky officially became mine, and we dove headfirst into this new world.

Eventually, I moved to a more competitive dressage barn—Dreamcatcher Meadows. There, surrounded by elite warmbloods and incredibly talented riders, Rocky and I absorbed everything we could. Despite being the “underdogs,” we learned so much together and even competed at some larger shows.

But amid all the horses I admired, there was one I couldn’t stop thinking about: Lady of the Dance DMV—a stunning 3-year-old filly who belonged to the owner of the farm. She was supposed to be their next star. I’d daydream about her being mine, but I never thought that was possible…Until my 16th birthday.

That day, my parents and the barn owners invited me in for a "coffee break." I was being a typical teenage horse girl—reluctant to leave the barn and a little sassy about it. But I’m glad I went. We sat down, and my dad handed me an envelope. Inside was a nameplate for a halter that read: "Lady of the Dance DMV."

I laughed and said, “You must have meant to give this to Jill.”
But he said, “No, she’s yours.”

Cue the waterworks. I was shocked, ecstatic, overwhelmed—I ran around hugging everyone. I couldn’t believe it. Lady was mine.

By that point, everyone could see I was outgrowing Rocky, not just in skill but in what I needed to keep progressing. Lady was my next chapter—and what a chapter it’s been.

When I first got Lady, she was lightly started under saddle. I was still green myself, so I continued learning on Rocky while also getting guidance from Dreamcatcher’s head trainer, John, as I slowly began working with Lady. I was lucky to ride some incredible schoolmasters during that time, which helped bridge the gap as Lady and I grew together.

Me and Lady! 

We started showing in training level and young horse classes, scraping by with 60% scores. But with time, dedication, and a lot of learning, we climbed the levels—eventually competing at Fourth Level with scores in the high 70s.

Today, as I reflect on that entire journey—from my first ride on Rocky to developing Lady, to now breeding Lady and working with her young horse offspring—I’m filled with gratitude. It’s been the most rewarding, challenging, and beautiful experience of my life.

One of my favourite full-circle moments was definitely buying Lady her first saddle. I still ride in that saddle today. I remember when the custom fitter came to the barn and let me try dozens of options—it felt like walking into a candy shop. And now, in a twist I never saw coming...I AM the person with the candy shop! I now help other riders find the perfect tack and equipment for their dressage dreams. That full-circle moment means the world to me.

At the heart of it all, I’m still that horse-obsessed girl—grateful to Rocky, inspired by Lady, and completely in love with the sport of dressage.

Happy fall everyone <3

Kirsten