Jennifer Harnett is an Irish international high-performance Grand Prix dressage rider. Based just outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Jennifer trains and compete horses at various stages of their careers.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Jennifer with two young Lusitano’s. Now four years old and starting their education
Currently we have nine horses at different stages of their training and competition careers. My week revolves around schooling the horses, managing their development and preparing for competitions. Every horse is on its own journey, so the work is tailored to the individual, with a focus on building confidence, strength and understanding.
Can you take us on your dressage journey from your earliest memories?
Horses were a passion from a very young age. Like many riders, I started at a riding school and quickly became interested in show jumping. At that time, I really rode for fun and had a horse at home during my teenage years, which I mostly hacked out with in the forest.
At nineteen, I moved to London to study and didn’t ride again until I was thirty-three. At thirty-six, I bought my first horse as an adult, a Lusitano, and at thirty-eight I bought Exímio, another Lusitano who I currently compete internationally. It wasn’t until I returned to riding as an adult that I discovered dressage and became truly passionate about it.
Who have been your mentors?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from a number of excellent trainers and mentors. In my early years with the Lusitanos, I trained with Portuguese trainer Bento Castelhano. I then spent several years training with Inge and Rien van der Schaft, and I currently train with Wim Verwimp and Judy Reynolds.
Each has contributed something valuable to my understanding of training, horse welfare and competition. I strongly believe that learning never stops, and I continue to seek guidance and education whenever possible.
What do you love about dressage?
Jennifer with Hannoverian Shiloh at age four. Shiloh will be seven next year and getting ready for the Small Tour
The pursuit of harmony. Dressage is about communication, trust and partnership. I love that there is always something to improve and that the journey is never truly finished. Every horse teaches you something new.
Your dressage highlights?
Representing my country, achieving personal bests, developing horses through the levels and seeing horses gain confidence and understanding in their work are all highlights. The moments when training comes together in the competition arena are particularly rewarding.
Your proudest moment?
My proudest moments are often not the biggest competition results, but the milestones achieved with a horse after months or years of patient work. Seeing a horse reach its potential and enjoy the process is incredibly satisfying.
What challenges have you faced?
Jennifer with with Exímio in the GP at CDI Fontainbleau
I came to dressage and competition relatively late in life. My understanding of training continues to grow all the time, but I often wish I had accumulated more years of experience. At the same time, I’ve learned that progress is about staying curious and never stopping learning.
What is your training philosophy?
My philosophy is to always be open to what you don’t know. I believe in remaining curious and committed to learning in a way that benefits the horse. The basics matter: relaxation, rhythm, balance and understanding. Strong foundations are at the heart of everything.
How do you build a strong relationship with your horses and what are your non-negotiables?
Trust is earned through consistency, fairness and listening to the horse. My non-negotiables are proper care, appropriate turnout and movement, good nutrition, and excellent veterinary and farrier support. The horse’s wellbeing must always come first.
What does it take for a horse and rider to reach Grand Prix?
At the vet check at CDI Le Mans
Talent helps, but commitment, patience and consistency are essential. It takes years of correct training, a strong partnership, attention to detail and a team of knowledgeable people supporting both horse and rider.
Your top tip
Never rush the basics. The better the foundation, the easier everything else becomes.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Take it slowly at the beginning so that you can go faster later.
It takes a team to do dressage. Who is in your support team?
My support team includes trainers, grooms, a talented young rider who helps train the younger horses under my guidance, veterinarians, farriers, saddle fitters and many others behind the scenes. Success is always a team effort.