An Interview with Lockwood Dressage
Jordan’s journey into the world of horses began at a young age. Growing up surrounded by Breyer model horses, she took her first real lesson at 6 years old. Encouraged by her supportive family, Jordan began to explore and compete in dressage throughout high school. With her parents’ help, they built a barn and arena at home, and through self-guided practice, clinics, and training sessions with highly renown coaches like Debbie Hill and Jim Koford, Jordan cultivated her dressage skills and independence as a rider.
A Career Path in Dressage
For many equestrians, deciding whether to pursue college or start as a working student upon graduating high school can be a hard decision. Jordan initially took interest in college, but later decided to discontinue school. She landed a working student position with Helgstrand Dressage in Wellington, a prestigious opportunity that introduced her to an entirely new world. Moving from Tennessee to Florida, Jordan entered the high-paced, incredible environment of Wellington. “You learn so much just by being there. Every day was filled with new lessons,” she explains. Over three years, Jordan advanced from being a working student to a student rider, honing her abilities and gaining invaluable experience. During this time, she was even given the chance to lease Sagacious, a Grand Prix schoolmaster, train alongside Lars Peterson, and compete in the U25 Grand Prix. Jordan cherishes her time competing and earning her Gold Medal with Sagacious as her most memorable achievement in her career.
Building Positive Partnerships
In 2023, Jordan transitioned from Helgstrand to start her own freelance dressage business, Lockwood Dressage. Today, she works with eight to nine training horses, along with several students of varying levels. She also handles sales, works with young horses, and balances her schedule between teaching, training, and competing.
For Jordan, a positive mindset and adaptability are crucial in her training philosophy. “Every horse and rider is different,” she emphasizes. “It’s about finding each one’s strengths and weaknesses, and adapting the training plan to fit them.” She’s committed to creating a constructive and patient environment, focusing on effective communication and positivity with her clients. Jordan stresses that each day brings unique challenges, and her role as a trainer is to meet those with an open mind, making sure that both horse and rider leave each session feeling supported and motivated.
Envisioning Change in the Equine Industry
Reflecting on the broader equine industry, Jordan feels that social media has been a double-edged sword for the community. While it’s helped bring transparency to some issues, it has also led to misconceptions, especially when criticisms come from less-informed perspectives. Jordan hopes to see a shift towards a more supportive environment for riders from different backgrounds, as well as increased affordability and access for those without significant financial backing. “I hope that we can foster a culture where everyone supports each other,” she says. “We’re all trying to succeed in similar ways, so why not lift each other up? Who knows where we’ll be in 10 to 20 years—we might be working together.”
