Why can't quarter horses do dressage? They can! Read the linked blog post from "Behind the Bit" (November 16, 2008) I just love this blog and encourage you to swing over and take a look at it.
My 14.2 QH Oberon is not really built for competitive dressage, but really, the cues of a well-trained western horse are very similar.
Sebastian, my Friesian Sport horse is now owned by James and Kate Cooler. The "fit" is much more appropriate as he is very young and big and I am just getting back into horses after over 20 years of being away. I will still follow Sebastian very closely on this blog as I board Oberon with James & Kate Cooler at Fiore Farms.
The above horse is a five year old gelding and is located in Williamsport, Maryland. I travelled up there to see him and really liked his calm demeanor and what Catie, the trainer, has done with him. His Dreamhorse ad is here: Noah . As I stated above, I have decided to wait on purchasing another horse for a variety of reasons, but I will keep my eye on Noah and Catie.
If you are interested in Quarter Horses and dressage, here is another article.
Intrigued by Dressage? an article from "America's Horse Daily"
and excerpt from Lynn Palm "Dressage is a simple word that sounds complicated, but it’s not. It’s a French word that means ‘training.’ If you say natural horsemanship, natural training, that’s what it’s all about. It’s achievable, because it promotes correct horsemanship. Horsemanship means riding well, and your goal is that you’re always trying to bring out the best in your horse.”
and ... :The Quarter Horses’ typical easygoing temperament makes them a great breed for dressage. And while they may not have the natural suspension or the enormous strides of a warmblood, that makes them easier to ride."
13 comments:
I knew a small QH mare who was going Grand Prix. Sure, she wasn't showing at Devon, but she was brilliant at what she did and loved it. My Paint schooled 4th level and started training piaffe and passage before it became apparent that he couldn't handle that much collection with his permanent injury.
While you may not be super-competitive at rated shows at the higher levels because the judges are looking for the big floaty WB movement, I've seen QH's put in brilliant, precise tests. There's no reason NOT to do dressage on a QH!
What jenj said!! I'm not really in tune to the dressage world, but I've known a few QH's that could hang with the best of them!
I hope you'll keep us updated about Sebastian. He's gorgeous and I would love to follow him in his career.
Hey, I'll be back to catch up on your blog, just wanted to answer your question real quick. The simple and honest answer for why I'm starting Chrome without a saddle is because I don't have one that fits him (out of five saddles), can't afford a new one right now and I refuse to use one that doesn't fit because I don't want to make him sore and resentful of work. I may be wobbly and floppy, but at least I'm not pinching, causing pressure spots or pain by riding him bareback. :D I tried using Faran's saddle and just added extra blankets because it's too wide for him and he did NOT like it (I wasn't even on him). He's worn a surcingle and english saddle so I know it wasn't the girth bothering him, it was something about the actual saddle. I'll get one eventually, but for now I'm cool with bareback. I'm not doing any trotting or cantering until he gets closer to finished growing, so I have time to find a saddle. :)
Wow! Really? Where did you purchase it? I love dressage saddles (and that would be perfect considering that's what I plan to do with him) and I've ridden in Wintecs that I enjoy. I just didn't know you could get them that cheap. Thanks for the info!
Not only can any horse do dressage... they all SHOULD... whether it's formally or not.
All horses, of whatever breed, benifit from correct dressage training and riding. Some QHs are just as suited to dressage as warmbloods - my Red is one of these - he's uphill, and has power behind and moves like a dream.
AchieveOneDream... I said used. :). You just gotta shop around and I got a great deal.
Yeah I know it would have to be a used one, but did you find it local or somewhere like Ebay?
I bought them from a person at our barn who had just purchased a custom saddle.
Okay, cool. Thanks!!
Just catching up on your blog; I think you did right in selling your beautiful Sebastian, I hope you get one that you can just go and have fun on. Not every horse we fall in love with is the right one for us. What about that gelding you featured videos of a while ago?
Glad to hear that Oberon is recovering nicely- leg injuries are pretty scary.
AQHA has dressage classes in their breed shows now and is actively promoting dressage.
Aww! So sad that you sold Sebastian, but I'm thrilled he'll still be at the farm and we can still see pictures and read stories about him. :)
Any horse, pony, mule or donkey can do dressage. As your post mentions dressage just means training, I personally really like thoroughbreds but I think when it comes to dressage the temperament and trainability is really important, you can train a horse to move like a pro but you can’t train him to be a nice guy. Of course breed does make a difference especially in higher level dressage but luckily for QH’s they seem to be quite a varied breed which allows them to succeed in many different goals :)
Sad that you’ve decided to part with Sebastian but I think you’re probably doing what’s best for him, younger horses can be a hand full. Looking at the horse you linked to it says event prospect, are you interested in eventing? Or something else? Like dressage maybe.
Regards
Edward
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