From Centerline Interviews Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

“The Goal Is Never to Produce a Dalera”

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on Mental Strength, Trust, and the Art of Developing a Dressage Horse

Olympic Champion, World Champion and European Champion, Jessica has reached the highest level our sport has to offer. Yet what makes her truly remarkable is not only what she has achieved, but how she has achieved it.

Jessica has become living proof that classical riding, patience, empathy and outstanding horsemanship are not obstacles to success, they are one of its greatest competitive advantages. Her partnership with her horses demonstrates that harmony and performance do not exist in opposition. In fact, they strengthen one another.

That is why her voice carries so much weight. Beyond the scores and the titles, she represents a philosophy that reminds us that developing the horse correctly is still the surest path to lasting success.

In this conversation with From Centerline, Jessica shares her thoughts on mental strength, developing young horses, staying motivated after Olympic success, and the principles that continue to guide her every day.

1. You have a very holistic approach to the sport—taking into account both the physicaland mental aspects for the rider and the horse. Where does that come from?

Jessica: “I’ve always been deeply interested in mental strength and mental health. During my studies, I dedicated my master’s thesis to mental training, so it’s something I’ve felt passionate about for a long time. Quite early on, I realized how important a positive mindset is. And over the years, as I’ve worked more and more on my own mental strength, I’ve noticed how strongly this is reflected in my horses. When I’m balanced, focused, and positive, they benefit so much from it, it’s like they mirror that energy.”

3. If I want to produce a Dalera, what should I do? What do you look for in a young horse, and what is the mindset when training them from the early stages all the way to winning the Olympics twice in a row?

Jessica: “Dalera is very special, but I don’t think the goal should ever be to “produce a Dalera.” The goal should be to develop each individual horse to its full potential. What I look for in a young horse is not only movement, but mindset; curiosity, willingness, and a good work ethic. I want a horse that enjoys learning and is not afraid of mistakes. From the beginning, my focus is always on building trust. The horse needs to feel safe, understood, and motivated. Only then can you start developing the physical abilities step by step. The journey to Grand Prix is not about pushing. It’s about consistency, patience, and really listening to the horse every day. Some days you move forward, some days you take a step back, and both are equally important.”

4. How do you maintain motivation and discipline after such incredible success winning what every rider dreams of while still facing the adversity and challenges that are inherent to dressage and working with horses?

Jessica: “For me, motivation comes from the daily work. The horses don’t care what you have won before. Every day, you start again. You still have to do the basics well, you still have to listen, and you still have to adapt. From improving small things, developing a horse, and the moments where everything feels easy and in harmony. Of course, there are difficult phases as well. But that’s part of it. You cannot have one without the other.”

5. Many riders look up to you not just for your results, but for how you ride. You are the perfect example of not only the what, but the how. What is one principle riders should focus on if they want to build a horse correctly to Grand Prix?

Jessica: “It’s about timing and really listening to the horse. Every horse has its own pace, and you can’t force that. Some days they’re ready for more, some days they’re not. If you stay focused and respect when the horse is truly ready, you build confidence and understanding. That’s what allows everything to come together later.”

Listening to Jessica, one quickly understands that her greatest lesson has little to do with piaffe, flying changes or Grand Prix movements.

Instead, every answer returns to the same foundation: trust before pressure, understanding before expectation, and partnership before results. Those principles have not limited her competitive success—they have helped define it.

At From Centerline, we believe conversations like this matter because they remind us that the future of dressage does not depend only on producing better athletes. It depends on producing better horsemen and horsewomen.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s career is compelling not simply because she has won almost everything there is to win, but because she has shown that classical, correct riding and exceptional horsemanship remain one of the most powerful formulas for success at the highest level of our sport.

Thank you Jessica for your time and for sharing your knowledge and philosophy with us.