She will test ride 4-y-o dressage horses during SWB Equestrian Weeks

Sweden’s Jessica Lynn Thomas will be the test rider for the 4-year-old dressage horses. Photo: Courtesy of Jessica Lynn Thomas.

Internationally accomplished rider Jessica Lynn Thomas will be joining the SWB Equestrian Weeks with Breeders Trophy at Flyinge this autumn as the test rider for the 4-year-old dressage horses, presented by AJ Produkter. She brings a wealth of experience, feel, and expertise in young horse development.

Jessica is a Swedish rider with deep roots in international equestrian sport. She first traveled to Germany at age 17 and, after living between countries for several years, has now been based there for over a decade. Together with her husband, Raphaël Thomas from France, she runs a training and competition yard with a team of four staff members from various countries. This international environment creates a dynamic daily life where different methods and experiences meet.

The couple specializes in training young horses aged 3 to 7, with a focus on preparing them for championships in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Jessica has also competed in Sweden, most recently winning the 5-year-old dressage class at the Breeders Trophy in 2020 with the SWB horse Mr. Grey VH. She is now looking forward to returning to her home country after many years abroad.

-I’m really looking forward to being the test rider during SWB Equestrian Weeks and the Breeders Trophy. It’s inspiring to see how the Swedish system is structured today and what has changed. After following young horse classes and championships in Germany, Holland, and Denmark, I’m curious to see what similarities and differences exist and what Sweden can learn from others, as well as what we can contribute ourselves, says Jessica Lynn Thomas.

Jessica’s training philosophy is both thoughtful and compassionate. She likens working with horses to working with children, though she is careful to note that horses are not literally children, she believes the responsibility and care are quite similar.

-To me, the most important thing is that the horse wants to come to its rider, especially when it feels unsure or afraid. Rules and structure are important, but trust is even more crucial. The horse needs to feel that it can turn to the rider for safety, just like a child turns to a parent. It must trust the rider more than its surroundings, and that kind of relationship is built through respect, clarity, and mutual attentiveness, she explains.

Jessica also emphasizes that flashy gaits and spectacular movements aren’t everything. She believes it is vital for a horse to be mentally and emotionally strong, especially in today’s demanding competition environments with large crowds and high pressure. She stresses the importance of not breeding horses just for brilliance and intensity, but for their ability to focus, communicate, and handle stress calmly. In this regard, she sees Sweden’s breeding program as having great potential.

-I’m incredibly grateful to work with what I love, educating horses, following their development, and building relationships that last far beyond the competition arena, Jessica concludes.

We look forward to seeing Jessica Lynn Thomas in action at SWB Equestrian Weeks. Her passion for the whole journey, from young horse to Grand Prix, combined with her humble yet clear leadership style and sharp eye for long-term development makes her a powerful advocate for modern young horse training.

About Jessica Lynn Thomas

• Year of Birth: 1983 (41 years old)
• Residence: Germany
• Nationality: Swedish
• Family: Married to Raphaël Thomas, with a 6-year-old son, Max
• Profession: Runs a training and competition stable in Germany with an international team
• Specialty: Young horses (3–7 years old) and preparing older horses for Grand Prix
• Favorite Food: Loves all kinds of food!
• Favorite Music: Listens to all types of music from morning to night!