Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Young dressage rider Grace Christianson started breaking records before she was even a teenager. “I didn’t realize how much fun NAYC was going to be until I was there,” Grace said. “Winning multiple golds and hitting scores in the 80s was simply unbelievable!”
The first time Grace sat on a pony at 2 years old, something clicked—and it wasn’t just a childhood phase. What started as a simple pony ride quickly turned into something much bigger.
Grace didn’t grow up in a horse family. There were no barns in her backyard or generations of equestrians before her. Instead, her introduction to horses came through curiosity and a willingness from her parents to follow where it led.
“No one in my family had anything to do with horses, but I just fell in love with it,” Grace said. “I took a pony ride and that’s where it all started.”
“She wouldn’t get off!” added her mother, Elizabeth, with a laugh.
That early fascination turned into something more serious by the time Grace was 5, when she began searching for ways to ride regularly—which was harder than expected at that age. Eventually, she found a small program where she could begin taking lessons, often riding bareback and simply learning to feel comfortable around horses.
From the beginning, it wasn’t just about riding, it was about finding her true self. “It was always really peaceful being around horses,” Grace said. “I just loved everything about it.” Within a few years, Grace’s path began to take shape in a way that set her apart from others.
As Grace progressed, her vision of a dressage path was defined even more. “I remember saying, ‘I don’t want to jump,’” Grace said. “My mom thought that was really weird because all the kids wanted to jump. But I just wanted to do dressage.”
That clarity at such a young age became a defining trait. Grace wasn’t just riding, she was developing a dream.
Choosing dressage so early also meant going against the grain. Surrounded by riders drawn to the excitement and adrenaline rush of jumping, Grace’s preference for the precision and subtlety of dressage stood out. But rather than second-guessing herself, she leaned into it. “There wasn’t really a moment where I changed my mind,” Grace said. “I just always knew that’s what I wanted.”
After changing barns in search of better training, she found her first pony and began leasing her. Together, they navigated the early stages of competition, from schooling shows to larger venues, learning the ropes along the way. “I didn’t even know how to get a horse on the bit,” Grace said. “We were just figuring everything out step by step.”
Daisy, while not naturally suited for dressage, played an important role in Grace’s development. She provided the foundation by teaching patience and problem-solving. That realization would eventually lead Grace to the horse who would change everything.
To show her eternal gratitude to the horse that started her dressage journey, Grace retired Daisy at home with her so she can be loved for the rest of her life.
When Grace first sat on Roulee, she knew immediately that something was different. “She was the coolest horse ever,” Grace said. “So sweet, so comfortable and just such a good personality.”
Even before Grace had ridden Roulee, her trainer had a feeling she might be the right match. After a few months in the saddle, that feeling became a reality. The pair officially became partners on March 14, a date that has remained significant ever since. “I rode her on our anniversary this year and it was just crazy to think about,” Grace said. “She’s really my first true dressage horse and I just love her.”
Roulee quickly proved to be more than just a good match; she became a cornerstone in Grace’s career. Together, they stepped into the rated show world, qualifying for regionals and eventually reaching one of the sport’s biggest stages.
At just 11 years old, Grace became the youngest rider to compete at the US Dressage Finals in 2023. “It was really fun,” Grace said. “It was a big experience, and I learned a lot from it.”
More than the results, it was the partnership that stood out. With Roulee, Grace began to understand what it truly meant to ride and train.
Following her early success, Grace continued to build momentum. Each show brought new lessons, new challenges and growing confidence. But like any rider’s journey, it wasn’t without setbacks.
Leading into a major competition, a last-minute clinic disrupted the harmony she had developed with Roulee, something Grace can now reflect on with a sense of humor and perspective. “Don’t go to a clinic right before a big competition,” Grace said. “Lesson learned.”
Moments like that became part of her education. Instead of shaking her confidence, they reinforced her ability to adapt, learning when to trust her training and when to step back. With each ride, her feel improved. Her awareness sharpened. And slowly, the pieces began to come together even more. By 2025, their harmonious partnership became publicly evident.
The 2025 season was a year of success and breaking records. Grace began working with trainer Jennifer Conour, gaining valuable experience not only with her own horses but also on others she had the opportunity to sit on. That exposure opened the door to new opportunities, like competing a young horse for the first time. “I really wanted to show a young horse, and I got the chance,” Grace said. “That was a huge learning experience.”
Then came the North American Youth Championships (NAYC), where she competed in the Children’s division for Region 2. Aside from the earned experience of competing at NAYC, Grace went above and beyond. She delivered three tests that were nothing short of remarkable, leading her to earn triple gold medals with scores in the 80s, and breaking records along the way.
Just weeks later, she continued her success at Festival of Champions, adding more wins and championships to an already-impressive summer season. “I just remember saying I wanted a cooler, which you win if you’re first or second place,” Grace said. “I didn’t even care what color. And then I got multiple and it was just the best feeling!”
Just to top things off, she also closed out the 2025 season with her USDF Gold medal as well.
While Grace’s talent is undeniable, she’s the first to credit the horses who make it all possible. Roulee remains her heart horse, defined not just by her talent, but by her personality. “She’s always so happy to work and not like a typical mare,” Grace said. “She’ll literally groom you, like brush your hair with her lip. She’s just the sweetest.”
Her other horse, Outsider, owned by the wonderful Karissa Gearen, is affectionately known as Potato in the barn and brings a completely different energy. “He’s the sweetest, most gentle giant,” Grace said. “He’ll put his head on your chest and just stand there. He just wants love all the time.”
What makes Potato especially unique isn’t just his size or presence, it’s the way he meets Grace where she is. “He’s huge, but he tries to make himself small for you,” Grace said.
With all of the horses that have been a part of Grace’s journey, each has brought a unique educational experience that has brought so much growth to her journey.
Behind the ribbons and results is a schedule that would challenge even the most seasoned professional. Grace attends school full time, balancing academics with a demanding riding schedule that often stretches late into the evening. “I go to school all day, then straight to the barn,” Grace said. “By the time I finish riding and take care of everything, I get home around 9 p.m. and then do homework.”
Growing up in barn environments have shaped her maturity. “I feel like I kind of grew up around adults,” Grace said. “You get the full experience being around people who are older, and I think that’s shaped me a lot.”
It’s something that shows in the way she carries herself, both in and out of the ring. Still, she finds moments to be a normal teenager. “I don’t get a ton of free time,” Grace said. “But when I do, I like to just hang out with my friends.”
Her family plays a huge role in making it all possible, too. “I’m really lucky to have such supportive parents,” Grace said. “They’ve given me the opportunity to do all of this, and I’m so grateful for that.”
She finds inspiration in the riders she watches at the top of the sport. “I love watching riders like Lottie Fry,” Grace said. “She just makes everything look so effortless.”
As Grace continues to develop as a rider, her goals are as ambitious as they are grounded. Like many young equestrians, the Olympics are on her radar, but so are other iconic stages, including competing in Europe and one day riding at Aachen. “I feel like that atmosphere would be so cool,” Grace said. “That’s definitely something I’d love to experience.”
At the same time, she’s keeping her options open beyond the barn. “I definitely want to go to college,” Grace said. “I’m not totally sure what I want to do yet, but I want to keep riding and go as far as I can with it. I feel like every rider wants to go to the Olympics. But I’m just focused on improving and seeing where it takes me.”
In the meantime, her focus remains on her horses, particularly Roulee, who was recently diagnosed with Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), with symptoms such as “tying up.” “She’s my heart horse,” Grace said. “So, we’re just going to do what’s best for her.”
It’s a mindset that reflects not just her maturity, but her understanding of what truly matters in the sport. For Grace, success isn’t defined solely by medals, scores or record-breaking performances. It’s found in the quiet moments, the early mornings at the barn, the small breakthroughs in training and the partnership she continues to build with each horse she rides.
What began with a simple pony ride has grown into something far more meaningful. It’s a journey shaped by discipline, perspective and a genuine love for the horse. And as her career continues to unfold, one thing remains certain: Grace isn’t just chasing success, she’s building it.
Follow Grace on Instagram @gracecdressage
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com, unless noted otherwise
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