By Kate Johnson
“Bucket List :)” This was the exact subject line of my email to Steffen Peters’ business email account.
In this email, I briefly explained that I am an adult amateur who has been competing in dressage for most of my life, on a variety of horses. My current dressage partner, X (short for Excalibur), is a very kind, extremely willing, honest, fun, and capable big, bay gelding. He has a huge heart and always tries with an unparalleled effort. We had just competed at the Great American/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships, doing First Level and a First Level Freestyle, and our goal for 2026 is to do the same at Second Level.
X is a horse that landed with me after a long and winding path. I did not want to focus on what he is not, but rather who and what he is.
I inquired about an opportunity to come see Steffen in Wellington when he was there, or potentially connecting in Ocala, if he was planning on teaching there. I am there often to work with my trainer, Megan Fischer.
I am very aware that we would never make “the list” to participate in a Steffen Peters clinic. We are not bound for Grand Prix, a CDI, nor any list (long or short). We do, however, go out, do the work, and we have fun!
And, while we wouldn’t make “the list” for a clinic, a Bucket List item for me is to ride with Steffen, be a sponge, and experience learning from the most accomplished dressage rider in the United States.
I included this photo of X and me at regionals.
I expected a reply along the lines of, “Thank you so much for your inquiry. We appreciate you reaching out about a learning opportunity with Steffen Peters. As you are aware, clinics fill well in advance and space is quite limited. Please feel free to audit a clinic when one is happening in your area.”
I was not expecting the reply I got, not even for one second. My jaw hit the floor, the tears began rolling down my cheeks, and I think I read it at least 849 times. I am still in awe of the reply I got. It read:
“Hello Kate,
I enjoyed your email. Thank you very much.
I’m scheduled to do clinics in both cities, Wellington and Ocala.
I can text you the clinic dates and the organizers contact info. If both clinics are filled, I’ll come to your barn for a bucket list lesson 🙂.
Please send me text message to:
Kind regards,
Steffen”
My thoughts were along the lines of, “Wait, WHAT?!?!?!?! Is this real life?!?!?! This message is from the most decorated and accomplished dressage rider in the history of the United States, and he is telling ME that I can TEXT HIM?!?!?! Not. Even. Possible.” I still read it and don’t believe it.
As you can imagine, I did text him (after I exploded!). On October 23rd, a plan began to come to life. Like, REAL life!
As he mentioned, Steffen had clinics in both Wellington and Ocala coming up in early November; this is where the ways of the universe came into play in a BIG way. As the details came together, I was keenly aware that I could not share any of this information with anyone. It made for the hardest kept secret and, with one of the most exciting experiences of my life on the horizon, I was up for keeping it quiet.
I have always held Steffen in the highest regard. His platform has always exuded class, integrity, amazing character, respect, kindness, and true, genuine, organic talent. At a time when the sport of dressage is under a great deal of scrutiny for a myriad of reasons, he always rises to the top with a humble grace. His words are spoken with true intention, his emotions and connections with his horses and humans are palpable while watching him partner and work with them all. My respect for him as a human and a horseman has always been steadfast. This example of character and commitment to the sport of dressage is no different.
While we shared some fun texts (mostly related to my excitement and a fair warning that someone would have to drive X home if I did, indeed, explode), his unfaltering true character shone through.
Then, the plot thickened. While texting to figure out the details (let me reiterate – OMG, I was texting with Steffen Peters), we realized it would be best for him to come to my trainer’s barn after the clinic to teach one-on-one. His generosity and willingness struck me yet again, as did his overwhelming kindness and humility. He was going to teach X and me. Like, for REAL. Being that this was going to happen at Megan’s farm, he fit a lesson with her into his schedule as well (cue my next level of explosion!).
Now, I needed to – and could – tell someone! So, I called Megan and said, “I have a story for you.” I took her through the play-by-play, starting with the email and the reply, to which she replied, “STOP! Kate, that is AWESOME!” Then I said, “But wait, there’s more,” telling her about the Wellington option. She, of course, told me I had to go. Cue another, “But wait…” before spilling the beans about Ocala being an option, being that Steffen was giving a clinic there on the 10th and 11th of November.
Megan was now quite elevated in the delivery of her replies, in both energy and volume. “This is UNBELIEVABLE!!! I can’t believe you did this!” Here is where I threw in the last secret: “BUT WAIT… He is also going to teach us at your farm!”
I don’t recall exactly what either of us said or did next, but I do know there was disbelief, then the realization that this was going to happen, and then some (ok, a lot of) screaming with excitement, and digesting that this was actually REAL.
While on the phone with Megan, I was also texting with Steffen (and made sure to say at least thirteen times to her, “Did I mention that I AM TEXTING STEFFEN PETERS? Yeah, I do that now. Emojis included!”
I took the day off from work, and my reasoning was “Bucket List Item.” I explained to the team that it was a long story and that I could share about it later, if they wanted. We would be leaving on a Monday, not our typical travel rollout, but my secret was safe. Though, after the fact, people did wonder why X’s trailer was ready to go on a Monday morning. Auditing on Monday was the biggest challenge.
X was settled at Megan’s, and I was off to the beautiful Persaud Legacy Farms to be a sponge. I arrived to find, as expected, a full audience. What I did not anticipate was that a large number of audience members would be close friends, and I would not be able to share anything with them about what was in store for me in the afternoon. Of course, I had known that many friends would be there to audit, but what I neglected to realize was that I was about to burst, and this was compounding my own excitement and anticipation exponentially.
It was a beautiful, albeit chilly, day. Auditing and being in tune with the environment Steffen created, the energy, and the experience enhanced my whole state of mind. When I introduced myself to Steffen as “Bucket List Kate,” he smiled, and we had a great exchange. However, that was not the time for the conversation I deeply wanted – and needed – to have with him. We laughed about me not having combusted from excitement… yet.
Driving back to Megan’s to get ready, I cried – a real cry. When I think back on that day, I probably always will. It was true, real, raw emotion; gratitude, presence. I cry now, reliving it.
My trainer growing up (from age four through college), Eileen Chretien, always told me before I went down centerline to “ride for the Queen.” It didn’t matter if I was eight years old on my 13.2-hand Welsh/Arabian pony, Molly Molasses; eighteen on my 17-hand Thoroughbred, Steamer; or any other age, catch-riding another person’s project. Her words resonated on this day like no other. X and I would strive to execute that statement as closely as possible and bring our best to the arena.
When Steffen arrived, he was alone. Just Steffen Peters, pulling into Megan’s farm, just you know, “normal.” I kept thinking, “OMG, whose life is this?!”Before we began our lesson, I was able to speak very openly and honestly with Steffen about where we were and what I hoped to take away from this experience. I was also able to express my deep and overwhelming gratitude for his generosity; that, as a horse person, dressage rider, and just as a human, he embodies so much of what I believe to be the pillars of good character: tact, grace, respect, integrity, kindness, empathy, understanding, humility, authenticity, and commitment. His platform is rooted in excellence, and it continues to overdeliver in every element.
Saying our rides were pure magic would be an understatement. Steffen taught both Megan and me after a full day of working with amazing horses and riders in front of an engaged audience.
X delivered as always, and we left with a pile of homework. We worked on some things that I had seen and heard earlier in the day, some things that we work on regularly, and some new exercises and tools to carry as we work through our next chapter as a team.
I cherish what I learned beyond measure. Hearing Steffen Peters say, “He is a good boy,” filled my heart. X is a good boy, and he can do this. He will do this. WE will do this!!!! We were able to take pictures, videos, share, and post following our lesson (of course, with Steffen’s gracious permission).
My off-the-cuff “Bucket List 😊” email landed me in a place I never dreamed would be a reality. As an adult amateur ready to bring her capable, willing, fun, and honest pony to Second Level at USDF-recognized shows with a goal in mind for the year ahead and beyond, to be working with a pillar in the sport of dressage and a pillar as a good human was an immeasurable gift.
Texting pictures and results after our Northeast Florida Dressage Association (NFDA) Championship, the weekend following our lesson, and receiving the reply of “Very Good, Congratulations😊,” while he was at Thermal for the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final still blows my mind. To share this entire experience with my soul-sister and trainer, Megan Fisher, made it mean that much more!
The kindness, willingness, openness, and true generosity Steffen Peters extended to me, and X, is something I will never ever forget.
Though our arenas might be in different geographies and our dressage partners may look very different, Steffen Peters has taught me so very much through this entire experience. At the end of the day, A is still A, C is still C, and X is ALWAYS X.
