John Winnett studied dressage with renowned trainers in the 1960s and 1970s, representing the United States in both show jumping and dressage at prestigious events. In an article for dressage Today in 2009, Winnett emphasized the importance of training horses in a tempo free of tension to avoid physical and mental resistances. He also highlighted the balance between brilliance and correctness in gaits, noting that correctness achieved at the expense of brilliance is more aesthetically pleasing to knowledgeable eyes.

Winnett’s training philosophy focused on the significance of gaits, their rhythm, and the importance of training horses in a tension-free tempo. He stressed that brilliance should not overshadow correctness in gaits, as achieving brilliance at the cost of correctness may be more appealing to the uneducated eye. However, he believed that correctness achieved at the expense of brilliance is more aesthetically pleasing to those with a deeper understanding of dressage.

In his article, Winnett shared his insights on the balance between brilliance and correctness in dressage training. He emphasized the importance of training horses in a way that avoids physical and mental resistances, highlighting the significance of achieving correctness in gaits. Winnett’s experiences studying with top trainers and representing the United States in international competitions shaped his perspective on the art of dressage.