Interesting way to spend the afternoon, eh? I'm sure you saw lots of
good things and bad ones, just like every other horse venue. besides the bad
feet, my guess is you saw lots of nosebands cranked tight... gaaa, that's a
pet peeve of mine.
when you search for a dressage trainer, please try to find one from the
'classical' school, not one of those "zee horse must fit in zee frame" kind.
And after talking to some European equestrians, they kind of laugh at
the Americans who import expensive warmbloods for dressage and eventing. The
Europeans are not exporting their best horses and get quite a chuckle. In
fact, rather than warmbloods, some European riders, particularly the French,
are riding Anglo Arabs. There were 5 Anglos in last year's Olympics in
eventing. While the American horses were lugging along on the cross country
course, breathing hard, the little Anglo mare was galloping for all she was
worth, popping over the jumps and finished looking like she'd hardly worked
at all.
Before the big warmblood craze hit the U.S., Anglos were a very popular
horse for eventing, jumping and dressage.
Interesting the different points of view and the fads that come and
go.
chris
agilbxr@xxxxxxx wrote
Today I spent the afternoon at the regional dressage finals for the
southeast region. I talked to a lot of people, and met more than one
$50,000 horse. Scratched a few $50,000 noses too!
Of the 200+ horses there, I couldn't believe the sheer number
of bad feet.
Anyway, we have decided that Spot is going to do our regional
dressage shows. Just cause. It'll be pretty cool to stick a
blue roan almost leopard appy in with all those brown warmbloods! Of
course, first we must find a dressage trainer. That's next on our
list.
Juli and Spot (you want me to do what???)
and Alpine (getting fat, but pretty
happy)
"Slowee, slowee catchee monkey,"
Rudyard Kipling, from The Jungle Book