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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | May 2026
hen you walk around Lausanne,
Switzerland, you cannot help but
reflect on the Olympics and what
it means to equestrian sports. It’s impossible
to not immediately realize the city’s historical
presence in the Olympic movement. A visit to
the Olympic Museum, overlooking beautiful
Lake Geneva and the French Alps, only
amplifies one’s reflection and reminds us of how
intertwined equestrian sports are in the story
of the Olympics. You also find yourself feeling
a sense of pride that equestrian sports are part
of the Olympics and how important that is,
especially, from my perspective, for dressage.
The Olympics give publicity to all the
sports included under their banner. They
certainly can draw people in. They encourage
greater accomplishments and recognize
achievement. Perhaps most importantly, they
inspire dreams. In North America, we have the
NAYC based on the Olympic model. For all
of the Americas, we have the Pan Am Games
as a qualifier for the Olympics. Both play a
significant aspirational role in the development
of dressage in our part of the world.
However, you also cannot help but reflect
on some of the challenges dressage, as well as
jumping and eventing, face in remaining in the
Olympic Games. I, for one, believe there are
certain positives to the scrutiny that equestrian
sports have been under over the last few years.
In the overall picture, some of our reasons for
the importance of being part of the Olympic
movement can seem superficial.
This may sound odd coming from someone
who believes dressage, along with jumping
and eventing, belong in the Olympics and
want them to stay there. We’ve been put in
a position where we have to reevaluate our
sport, especially as it relates to horse welfare
and well-being. This is not a bad thing; I see
it as not only necessary but as a good thing. I
purposely did not just use the word exercise,
for it must be more than that—it has to have a
lasting impact.
I’ve been involved in dressage as an adult
for a little over 50 years. A lot has changed
in the horse world during that time. There
have been many positives, particularly in the
area of veterinary medicine. Overall, I believe
there’s greater awareness of the importance of
the care of our horses, including the value of
turnout and how they are stabled. Of course,
more needs to be done, especially when it
comes to education.
What I call the business of horses has
shifted over the years. Horse sales, higher
prices, emphasis on winning at all costs, quick
fixes, lack of availability of “formal” education,
loss of riding schools and, in a far more
general sense, expectations. These areas all
have the strong potential for a negative impact
on the sport.
I think we sometimes forget that winning
a blue ribbon does not in itself mean that one
is a good rider or horse person. If too much
emphasis is put on competition, it can easily
become damaging in many ways. We need
to make sure that the fundamental goal is to
create an environment where good, correct
training is rewarded.
The age-old principles of dressage are
still valid and good. Does that mean that
historically they were always followed? Of
course not. In my opinion, the word classical
gets misused and abused, unless one is
speaking of specific eras. Xenophon was
alive during a period referred to as “Classical
Antiquity” and as de La Guérinière died at
the start of the classical period for music, I
suppose one could argue that many of our
principles are based on teachings and writings
from classical periods.
I think it’s good that we’re being questioned
to explain why we love horses and dressage.
Some would say that it must be more than the
joy it brings to us—that is too one-sided and
we’re just being selfish. What about from our
horses’ perspectives?
As equestrianism evolves, we are becoming
more scientifically knowledgeable about
how horses learn, how their nervous system
works, their physiological needs, social and
behavioral interactions, etc. We must be open
to what is learned through scientific research
because it is imperative that we apply what we
learn to how we treat and train horses. The
way I see it, this is all part of proving we’re
worthy of being in the Olympics.
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Photo by Andy Song
George Williams has dedicated his life to dressage as a rider, coach, clinician and volunteer. He studied with Egon von Neindorff in Germany and then followed his
mentor, Karl Mikolka, to ride and train with the Tempel Lipizzans for 20 years before pursuing his own competitive goal to ride on a U.S. team. George succeeded
with Rocher, earning accolades including 2005 USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year. He’s trained many young riders to prestigious finals
and served on the US Equestrian Dressage Committee, the US Equestrian Board of Directors and the United States Dressage Federation, of which he served as
president for a total of 12 years. Now, George is the US Equestrian Dressage Youth Coach and on the FEI Dressage Committee in addition to teaching clinics.
Do you have a question you want George to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesmagazine.com.
GEORGE WILLIAMS • PHOTO BY MELISSA FULLER
Thoughts From a Bench
at the Olympic Museum By George Williams
DRESSAGE