Leif Törnblad: Seeing Dressage Through the Eyes of a Professional Judge

Few people have witnessed the evolution of modern dressage as closely and as thoughtfully as Leif Törnblad. A 5-star international judge, lifelong horseman, and a dressage rider himself, Leif brings to the sport a rare combination of clarity, empathy, and lived experience.

In this conversation, we explore dressage from the inside out — through the eyes of someone who has sat at C for Olympic Games, World Championships, and decades of top-level competition. Leif shares how judging has changed over the years, what true quality looks like in a performance, and why harmony, correctness, and feel remain the timeless pillars of our sport.

We also touch on his life with Anne-Grethe Törnblad — Olympic medalist and rider of the legendary Marzog — and the perspective that comes from a lifetime devoted to the art of riding.

It’s a rare opportunity to hear from a man who has shaped the sport at the highest level, and whose insights remind us that, at its heart, dressage is about the partnership between horse and rider.

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Music produced by Melissa Parris