Growing up in Charlotte, N.C., and immersed in the Saddlebred world, Jody Swimmer never even contemplated dressage.

But after a self-described midlife crisis in which she changed careers and went back to school, Swimmer took up dressage, and couldn’t give up the breed that was so special to her.

Now she and New York City Slicker, a Saddlebred she’s brought up from the beginning, are conquering the Fédération Equestre International levels and knocking on the door to Grand Prix.