Dressage Life with JJ Tate

This episode marks JJ’s return to sharing what’s been on her mind. A recent injury forced her to slow down and confront how easily self-care slips when life gets busy. She reflects on the idea of doing less, sooner - in life as in riding - and why small daily adjustments are far better than waiting for a big correction.
From there, she shifts the focus to what’s happening beneath the saddle pad. What should the horse’s back actually feel like? Should it be “working” or something more subtle? JJ breaks down what loose, swinging, rising movement truly means, and why paying attention to what’s happening there needs to be be part of our regular check-in every time we ride.
Want more JJ? Check out Team Tate Academy with our 7-day free trial: https://www.teamtateacademy.com/info

In this episode, JJ welcomes fellow dressage trainers Liz Austin and Kate Poulin to the podcast. All three of these remarkable women share a bond beyond horses: each was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. They share three different journeys that echo one another and quietly underscore how vital it is to listen to our bodies and advocate for our own care.

They speak candidly about the fear and uncertainty of living through diagnosis and treatment, and the support systems that helped carry them through.
They also reflect on how this experience changed them, bringing new perspective and a renewed passion for their work, their relationships, and the lives they are intentionally creating now.

In this episode, JJ talks with Natalie Hummel, whose breakthrough work in nervous-system-based performance and self-mastery is changing how we approach pressure, performance, and personal development.

Natalie’s shares her path from the equestrian world into psychology, how her work grew out of her own experiences in sport and as an educator, and why understanding the nervous system, emotions, and mindset plays such a powerful role in how we ride, train, and show up; not only under pressure, but in everyday life.

This is an inspiring conversation about development, presence, and what it means to pursue something you truly care about.
Join Natalie's free webinar Thursday, January 15, 2026: https://limitless.nataliehummelcoaching.com/
More about Natalie and her programs: https://nataliehummelcoaching.com/

In this episode, JJ sits down with long-time friends Kate and Martin Kuhn, the husband-and-wife team behind StarWest in New Berlin, Illinois. Together, they do it all: from selecting and purchasing top-quality US-bred foals to developing them all the way to Grand Prix, all while balancing teaching, mentoring, and raising a family.

They share how they choose the young horses they invest in, what they look for in trainers and coaches, and how their experiences coming up through a system, including the Young Rider program, continues to shape their philosophy and program today.

We’re thrilled to welcome Olympic champion and world-class horsewoman Ingrid Klimke to the podcast! 🐴🎙️
In this special episode, Ingrid shares a peek into her daily life balancing family, horses, and international competition. Ingrid shares her typical training schedule and some thoughts on the current state of dressage.
🎧 Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most respected riders in the world—listen now on your favorite podcast platform!