Thanks Again, Jessica!
Since before I was born, Jessica Ransehousen has been at the forefront of American Dressage. Trained by the very best in the world at the time, Jess lived and studied in Denmark with Gunnar Anderson and in Germany with Reiner Klimke and others. She competed in the Olympic Games in 1960, ‘64, and ‘88, the last of which we did together on my Federleicht and her Orpheus. She is also a top International Judge and still rides daily, trains and gives clinics. What I am driving at here is ….. Jess is the “REAL DEAL!”
Since 1988, Jess has been the U.S. Chef d’Equipe for every important international competition I can remember, including all that I rode in, and she was and is just plain fabulous. She is smart, tough, fluent in German ( the importance of which cannot be overstated), and most importantly, fiercely patriotic! Like I, Jessica has been working her entire adult life toward the goal of one day seeing America win Team and Individual Gold in Olympics and World Championships. We’ve lived through the U.S.’s rise from 9th place in the teams in the early 80’s to Bronze or better from Barcelona in ‘92, to Silver in the WEG’s in Jerez in 2002, to Steffen Peters fabulous win at the World Cup this April.
Satisfied? NEVER! Jess knows that we have a huge amount to prove as we move toward next summer’s World Equestrian Games on our own soil in Lexington, KY. She is presently the Acting Chef d’Equipe (Thank God!) and running around making sure that our riders have everything they need and are bringing their mounts along in a good way. She will be, along with me, conducting a clinic directly after the Festival Of Champions in Gladstone to help riders bring their scores up by going over key movements which they will have ridden in the competition that week and which, with a tiny adjustments here and there, could bring them many more points.
So, when it comes right down to it, Jessica is invaluable to our sport in America, and she will remain so for a very long time to come. ( whether she likes it or not! ) :) And I know I speak for the entire American Horse Community when I say, THANK YOU, JESSICA!
RD
Janet Foy — May 27, 2009 @ 10:11 am
She is the best, I agree!!! I have ridden in clinics with her (loved them!) and judged with her a lot on panels. You have said it all!!! Cheers to you Jess!
Bernie Hewitt — May 27, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
Jessica’s beloved beyond US shores too! Not without good reason is she known as the ‘First Lady’ of American dressage. Best to you Jessica, and lovely to read such a fine appreciation Robert. Bx
Tuny — June 1, 2009 @ 7:16 pm
Amen Robert,
It sure was terriffic to have her at the farm for 2 days…sage advice for both my horses. She really gets it!