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In Pursuit of Mastery

Recently, I watched a TED talk by a woman named Sarah Lewis that I found to be particularly relevant to dressage. The talk is called “Embracing the Near Win”, and it discusses the differences between success and mastery. As all of us who participate in this discipline know, in dressage we are always striving towards an ideal, always trying to make the gap a little bit smaller. As Lewis states, the pursuit of mastery is “an ever-onward almost.”

To strive for mastery means accepting that we don’t know it all, no matter what we have accomplished. Fortunately, horses are great at reminding us of this and keeping us humble. The longer you give yourself over to the pursuit of perfection in dressage, you realize that as your abilities increase, you become painfully aware of just how far you have to go. To ride dressage requires “giving [your]self over to a voracious, unfinished path that always require[s] more.” Like many riders, I think back to horses of my past and think of what it would be like to have that horse now, and how I would do things differently. I suppose that will probably happen for the rest of my riding career, no matter how good I get. Even with my own current horse, I think back to how I handled certain things then, and how I wish I could go back and have a do-over, knowing what I know now. But as any good dressage rider knows, the only way is forward.

Many are probably familiar with this scenario—when you mention to a non-equestrian friend or acquaintance that you still take lessons, you receive a quizzical look. “You still take lessons? But you’ve been riding forever. Don’t you know how to ride yet?” This is what I find so enticing about dressage—the constant quest for refinement. And so I continue along my path, trying to be the rider my horses deserve, and to be the best teacher I can be to help my students achieve their goals.

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About the Author

Siobhan Byrne

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qualiadressage

Siobhan Byrne
Grand Prix Rider and Trainer
USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist
Poolesville, MD
https://linktr.ee/qualiadressage

Qualia Dressage LLC
It looked like a @kasteldenmark photo shoot in the It looked like a @kasteldenmark photo shoot in the arena today! 👯‍♀️ #matchymatchy #fancy #kasteldenmark #dressage #hanoveriansofinstagram #fjordhorse
“Success is a label that the world confers on yo “Success is a label that the world confers on you, but mastery is an ever-onward 'almost.'” - Sarah Lewis, The Rise
. 📸: @susanjstickle
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#dressage #dressagerider #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #fei #dressurpferde #kwpnhorse #equestrian #handsomehansi #midatlanticdressagefestival
Pretty jazzed to run my first road race in close t Pretty jazzed to run my first road race in close to ten years. A series of injuries have constantly set me back (e.g.: shoulder surgery 2014 x2, 2018, 2020, 2022, and hip surgery in 2016 and 2019), so I haven’t stayed sound enough to train and complete a race at any distance, much less this distance (half marathon). But I did it! And I even crushed my goal of running under two hours, completing in 1:52:37–a personal best for me, beating out the 1:53:36 I ran ten years ago.  I’m for sure no elite runner, but I love the physical and mental challenge of running. 
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#equestrian #dressagerider #runner #runningafterinjury #hiplabraltear #shoulderinstability #latarjet
Congratulations to Cassidy Hageman on a great star Congratulations to Cassidy Hageman on a great start to the show season with Waki! First place in 3-3 and Third Level High Score at First Chance at Dressage, By Chance?. Thanks for riding my boy so well, Cassidy! 
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#dressage #dressagehorsesofinstagram #hanoverianhorse #equestrian #squawkiwaki
Great start to the season last weekend at Loch Moy Great start to the season last weekend at Loch Moy! Hans was a rock star Saturday in the Prix St. Georges, winning the class and High Score PSG with a 71.765%. 🖤 Sunday he became slightly unhinged by the cross country clinic going on at the showgrounds, but still managed nearly a 66% in his first go at I-1.  Huge thank you to Cassidy Hageman for all of her help over the weekend! 
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#dressagehorse #dressurpferde #dressagetraining #kwpnhorse #equestrian  #fei #feihorse #handsomehansi
“'You become. It takes a long time. That's why i “'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
- The Velveteen Rabbit
Happy 29th birthday to my Mouse. 23 years together. So many fun memories. I love seeing you so happy in retired life. 🐭💕
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#oldiebutgoodie #retiredhorse #retiredlife #dressagehorse #dressurpferde #hanoverianhorse #devilmouse
It was wonderful to have Richard Malmgren back thi It was wonderful to have Richard Malmgren back this weekend to work the horses in the long lines. Hans was a superstar as usual 🖤, and new addition Vamilja got to meet Richard for the first time. She was a perfect girl! 💓
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#dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #kwpnhorse #danskvarmblod #danishwarmblood #equestrian #longlining #handsomehansi #mightymilja
Today, my sweet Ghosty would have turned 27. Hard Today, my sweet Ghosty would have turned 27. Hard to believe he has been gone for almost 7 years now. These photos by Bob Langrish do such a good job of capturing his soulful eyes. 🤍
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#prehorse #purarazaespanola #dressage #dressagehorse #equestrian
Super clinic with Jeremy Steinberg last weekend. H Super clinic with Jeremy Steinberg last weekend. Hans felt amazing! We’ll probably stay at the small tour level this year to continue gaining confidence and rideability in the ring, but Grand Prix is getting closer. 🖤 
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#handsomehansi #dressagehorsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #kwpnhorse #horsesofinstagram #roadtograndprix #piaffe #equestrian
Fun memories of showing my wonderful Waki in the G Fun memories of showing my wonderful Waki in the Grand Prix at Tryon a few years ago for #throwbackthursday. Love this special boy so much. 🖤
. 📸: @richard.malmgren 
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#tbt #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #dressagetraining #fei #grandprix #hanoveriansofinstagram #equestrian #squawkiwaki
“Never give up on a dream just because of the ti “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” — Earl Nightingale
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. 📸: @richard.malmgren 
#dressage #dressagetraining #dressagehorse #kwpnhorse #equestrian #handsomehansi #mondaymotivation
Super clinic with @jeremy_steinberg this past week Super clinic with @jeremy_steinberg this past weekend! I made up for missing the last one (I was competing at Devon) by getting to ride three horses with him both days this time. Here’s @tiddlucy ‘s Kayla (Ferdeaux x Metall), the fanciest little pocket rocket around! Love this mare. 🚀💕 #dressage #dressagetraining #younghorse #kwpnhorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #equestrian #dressurpferd
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Qualia Dressage
Poolesville, MD
732.406.9606
siobhan@qualiadressage.com

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