hello Teddy,
Star and I compete in First Level Dressage shows and local Horse Trials
regularly. I believe this is one of the reasons his back is as wonderful
as it is, not just a saddle (although a poorly-fitted saddle would be a
detriment). My emergency back-up horse, Quark the Arab, is still in
walk-trot tests but learning rapidly. Everyone I talk to, I try to convince
of the benefits of dressage for the distance horse and rider. On trail, we
may not always be in perfect dressage frame (we would soon be exhausted)
but we are collected and together enough to support my weight on his back
and keep him somewhat on his hindquarters where he belongs. At Dressage
shows, no one believes that Star is a distance horse, except when he still
has a number on his butt, or I ride in my McClellan (which is often better
for Dressage than my Crosby, if the show secretary lets me use it). We
have had the dressage/trail horse discussion before, but I would like to
say again that I agree with you and neither Star nor I would have lasted
this long without it.
Shannon Loomis and Quail Meadow Star