Lessons from the 2021 Tokyo Dressage Olympics
The Olympics are always an incredible reminder of what’s possible in our sport. Watching top riders and horses from around the world perform at their peak is inspiring—and humbling. This year’s Tokyo Games were especially memorable, not only because of the remarkable performances but also because of the extraordinary conditions the riders and horses faced.
The Challenge of Competing in Tokyo
Tokyo’s heat and humidity added an entirely new layer of difficulty to the dressage competition. Imagine traveling halfway across the world—from California to Florida, then to Aachen for quarantine, and finally to Tokyo—where the temperatures soared and the air was thick with humidity.
To help manage the heat, organizers used temperature sensors on the horses during warm-up to monitor their condition. If a horse’s temperature spiked, riders were instructed to head to cooling stations immediately. The barns were air-conditioned, and the facilities were designed with horse welfare at the forefront.
Still, when you watched the tests, you could see how hot and exhausted both riders and horses were by the end. It’s a true testament to their conditioning, preparation, and partnership that they performed so beautifully despite these challenges.
Highlights from the U.S. Riders
Let’s start with Team USA, who brought three talented combinations to Tokyo: Sabine Schut-Kery with Sanceo, Steffen Peters with Suppenkasper, and Adrienne Lyle with Salvino.
Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo
Sabine’s ride was absolutely breathtaking. She’s trained Sanceo herself since he was just three years old, and their harmony in Tokyo showed the power of long-term, thoughtful training.
What stood out most was her connection and feel—her forward, steady hands and soft contact allowed Sanceo to stay beautifully round and supple throughout the test. That final centerline piaffe and passage gave chills to anyone watching. It was light, powerful, and full of harmony.
Sabine’s success is also a credit to her coach, Christine Traurig, who’s helped guide both of them to this level. Together, they showed what patient, correct, classical riding can achieve.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper
“Suppenkasper,” or “Mopsie,” is over 18 hands tall—a huge, expressive gelding who never fails to impress with his extensions. His extended canter is one of the most powerful in the sport, covering the diagonal in just a handful of strides.
Despite the heat being tough on such a big horse, Steffen’s composure and quiet connection shone through. His consistency, empathy, and lightness in the aids are what make him one of the most respected riders in the world.
Adrienne Lyle and Salvino
Adrienne’s partnership with Salvino is elegant and harmonious. A fascinating detail about Salvino’s way of going is that his piaffe is slightly slower in tempo than his passage—which is rare. Most horses have a slower, more suspended passage, but Salvino’s control and rhythm make both transitions seamless.
Their trot tour was a particular highlight, showing balance, cadence, and expression that reflects Adrienne’s precision and feel.
The Powerhouses of Europe
Isabell Werth and Bella Rose
Isabell once again reminded the world why she’s a legend. Her piaffe and passage were otherworldly—earning multiple nines and tens from the judges. While other parts of her test, like the extensions, were less expressive, her ability to maximize the coefficients in the piaffe and transitions is what kept her score sky-high.
Isabell’s connection with Bella Rose is something to admire—elastic, soft, and completely through to the hand. It’s the image of correct dressage.
Cathrine Dufour and Bohemian
Cathrine Dufour’s partnership with Bohemian was another standout. Cathrine, still quite young, has now brought two horses to the Olympic level—an incredible accomplishment that speaks to her training ability.
Bohemian is powerful, sensitive, and expressive. Cathrine’s quiet leg and deep, steady seat made their piaffe and passage work look effortless. Her harmony with him is what modern dressage should look like—athletic, yet full of empathy and feel.
Charlotte Dujardin and Gio
And of course—Charlotte Dujardin and Gio. What a performance! Gio, just 10 years old at the time, was one of the youngest horses in the competition. Yet he moved through his test with joy and energy that was contagious.
Charlotte’s trot half-passes were exceptional—huge crossing and reach in the shoulders while staying uphill and soft. Her piaffe and passage transitions were fluid and full of power, which is why she consistently scored nines and tens in those areas.
It’s fascinating to remember that Gio looked like a completely ordinary horse as a three-year-old. Watching him now, it’s a perfect example that dressage is training. With correct, progressive work, a good-minded, well-built horse can develop into something truly world-class.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
Not every rider in Tokyo had a fairytale ride—and that’s part of the beauty and heartbreak of our sport.
One rider from Finland had a heartbreaking moment when his horse spooked at a camera setup right after his first extension, spinning and becoming tense for the rest of the test. Another rider from Australia had trouble keeping her horse relaxed in the piaffe.
It’s a reminder that even at the highest level, horses are unpredictable. They’re not machines, and anything can happen on any given day. Every rider watching can relate to that feeling of frustration or disappointment when a ride doesn’t go as planned.
The takeaway? Have empathy. Never judge a rider by one moment in the arena, because we’ve all been there—doing our best, sometimes fighting nerves, and hoping for a bit of luck.
Key Lessons for Every Rider
Watching the Olympics isn’t just about admiring the greats—it’s about learning from them. Here are a few takeaways you can apply in your own riding:
- Harmony matters more than perfection. The best rides—like Sabine’s—showed harmony and softness, not tension or force.
- Preparation is everything. Horses that handle travel, heat, and stress well have been carefully conditioned for consistency and calmness.
- Empathy is key. Even Olympic riders face mistakes and setbacks. Progress comes from patience, not pressure.
- Dressage is training. No horse starts out perfect; it’s the systematic, kind, correct work that transforms them.
The Spirit of Dressage
At its heart, the Olympics celebrate the partnership between horse and rider—the trust, training, and teamwork that make the impossible look effortless. Watching these performances reminds us all why we love this sport: the beauty, the discipline, and the deep connection with our horses.
So next time you ride, take a little Olympic inspiration into the arena with you. Train like it matters, ride with empathy, and remember—every grand prix horse once started at walk–trot–canter.
Want to improve your own balance and connection?
Join my Free Rider Position Training here to strengthen your seat, refine your aids, and ride with more harmony—just like the riders we all admire on the Olympic stage.
