Emma Smith, a 25-year-old USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and USDF-certified instructor based in Delano, Minnesota, is chronicling her trip to the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions this week, where she is competing in the Brentina Cup U25 Grand Prix with Stedemann, a 19-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Stedinger—SPS Weissendra, Hardenberg Donnerschwee) donated to her through the nonprofit Dressage4Kids. (Get to know Smith and Stedemann here.)

Today she takes us along on an off day between her first two days of competition and her final freestyle on Saturday, and how she best helps her partner rest, recover and prepare for their big dance.