From $10K Wildcard to Grand Prix

From $10K Wildcard to Grand Prix: Hannah Bressler Jaques and Jim’s Story When U.S. dressage rider Hannah Bressler Jaques first met Jim, he wasn’t exactly the horse people would bet on. Gangly, emotional, and known for being “naughty,” Jim broke fences, destroyed equipment, and demanded every bit of creativity and resilience she had. But Hannah saw something in him that others didn’t, and chose to take the chance. Today, that same horse is stepping confidently into the Grand Prix arena, proving what belief, patience, and grit can do. Growing up with horses Hannah’s passion for horses started young. At just five years old she began lessons, quickly deciding there was nothing else she wanted to do. She worked off her rides, mucked stalls, and found ways to stay in the saddle any chance she could. After college, she packed up her car and drove to Wellington to work with international rider Yvonne Losos de Muñiz. That move launched a decade of learning from some of the best, including Kelly Layne and Lars Petersen. Meeting Jim The advice that stuck with her early on was simple: a professional rider should always own one horse that can’t be taken away. For Hannah, that horse became Jim. She found him through Dana Glass with the help of then employer and mentor Kelly Layne in 2019. Big, awkward, and a bargain at $10,000, Jim had a canter that caught Hannah’s eye. He wasn’t the obvious choice. He was a big four-year-old gelding who had already learned plenty of bad habits. But he had a canter for a 10, and a goofy personality that won her over quickly. “He was screaming in the barn every time I walked in,” she told me. “He was a goober, and then I didn’t really have a choice. I loved him.” The rough years The honeymoon phase didn’t last. Jim colicked multiple times, landing in the clinic so often Hannah ran out of money and nearly gave up. With no easy way out, she turned to a drastic plan: a liquid diet of soaked hay pellets, 6 times per day, that lasted four years. It healed his stomach and slowly turned him into a stronger, happier horse. At the same time, Hannah learned how to compromise, think more strategically, and use every tool she had. “When you have no other option, you find a way,” she says. “You learn patience. You zoom out, look back at where you started, and realize you’re moving forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it day-to-day.” Breakthroughs in Chicago Moving to Chicago with Jim was a turning point. Alone in an indoor arena, she had to figure him out: longlining, groundwork, riding, and showing. Bit by bit, Jim began to trust her. Traveling to shows, spending days on the grounds, and learning to focus gave him confidence. By the time they returned to Wellington, Jim had transformed into a horse who enjoyed his job. Under the guidance of Lars Petersen, the pair filled in the missing pieces of Grand Prix training. In 2024, Jim won a Lövsta Future Champions qualifier and was runner-up at the U.S. Developing Grand Prix Championships. In 2025, he came 5th in the Lövsta final and stepped into the senior Grand Prix. What Jim has taught her Jim became more than just a competition horse, he became her greatest teacher. On patience: “I’m much more patient now. I’ve learned to let horses think their way through problems, not just push them through.” On perspective: “When you’re struggling, zoom out. Compare where you are today to a year ago. The problems change, and that’s progress.” On grit: “You have to hang in there way past the point it feels reasonable. That’s when the partnership is made.” Advice for riders Hannah knows many riders face the same doubts she once did. Her advice: Don’t sell yourself short. Apply for opportunities even if you don’t feel “ready.” Don’t be afraid of discomfort. Growth happens when things are hard. If you feel stuck, change your approach, or find new help. And above all, hang in there. “The slow way is often the fast way in the end,” she says. The bigger picture When I asked Hannah what she’d tell her 20-year-old self, she said: “Don’t worry so much about being good enough. Just go for it. Be brave enough to try, even if it feels uncomfortable.” It’s the kind of advice every rider, and honestly every founder or dreamer needs to hear. For Hannah and Jim, the dream is now to step into the CDI Grand Prix ring and keep climbing. But no matter what happens, their story already proves something powerful: sometimes the horses who test you the most give you the greatest lessons. You can find Hannah in our EquiLink Business Directory and connect with her through here.