Your stories: From cross-country to the centre line

Julie Middleton-Reid began her BD journey to help reach her Badminton eventing dreams, instead she found an unexpected love for dressage with her treasured mare Jessie.

Originally bought as a five-year-old to enjoy drag hunting and low-level Riding Club competitions, Lady Jessicka (Jessie) quickly exceeded all expectations. “During our time together, she’s excelled way beyond my initial hopes and has become my horse of a lifetime,” said Julie Middleton-Reid, Jessie’s owner of 15 years.

Jessie’s talent over fences quickly shone through and she became a consistent performer at BE90/100; however, their dressage phase often held them back from top placings. “She was the ultimate double-clear queen,” Julie recalled, “but our dressage was a challenge. She would rear and leap on the way to the dressage arena - I think she was hoping we were actually heading to the cross-country start box!”

Julie realised that to reach her dream of riding at the Badminton Grassroots Championships, she needed to up her game in the dressage phase. Determined to improve, she sought the help of trainer Ali Dane, who transformed their flatwork and introduced them to BD. “Ali helped me to improve my riding and bring out the best in Jessie. She encouraged me to try BD to push myself to ride at a higher level and before long we’d achieved our dream of qualifying for Badminton,” Julie explained. “Sadly, Covid cancellations meant we never got to compete, but by then, I’d discovered a love for dressage and the opportunities BD offered.”

Julie admitted she initially thought BD was only for professionals and purpose-bred dressage horses, but her experience proved otherwise. “I was completely wrong,” she said, “BD has been extremely welcoming and I’ve discovered plenty of new goals for us to work toward.”

Since joining BD in 2019, Julie and Jessie have progressed from Prelim to Medium level, qualifying for the Petplan Area Festival Championships and the Cavago Associated Championships, where they placed in the CHAPS and Veteran Horse sections. The duo also tried dressage to music, which Julie described as “brilliant fun.”

A particular highlight for Julie was the Red Gorilla Combined Training Championships, where they were crowned the 2024 Elementary and 80cm champions. “We were lucky enough to experience the amazing high of gaining a winner’s sash and rug at the Combined Training Championships last year. I was so pleased that Jessie’s all-round skills were rewarded and could not have been prouder,” said Julie.

“It was wonderful to see such a variety of horses and ponies taking part - not just fancy dressage-bred ones! Plus, it’s great preparation for the eventing season and fantastic fun,” she added, reflecting on what she loved about the series.

Jessie is turning 20 this year and looking to the future, Julie’s priority is simply to enjoy their partnership for as long as possible. “Watching the 20-year-old-plus horses at the Associated Championships has given me hope that with good care and management, it’s possible to keep an older horse fit, well and enjoying an active life in their later years,” she explained. “We’re gearing up for the next set of Area Festivals and plan to take part in this year’s Combined Training series as well. Fingers crossed for another fun season!”

Have a go

Whether you’re looking to improve your dressage scores, try a different discipline or follow a newly discovered love for dressage, BD offers a variety of fun and supportive opportunities for riders and horses from all backgrounds to develop and succeed.

So why wait? Join BD and find out where dressage could take you.

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Do you have an inspiring dressage story that you would love to share? No matter where you are in your dressage journey, whether you've recently made your test debut, overcome the odds, or have been a long-term member progressing through the levels, we would love to hear how you fell in love with the sport and why you chose to join British Dressage!

For a chance for your story to be featured on our website and social media, please email us at communications@britishdressage.co.uk.