Dressage with the big boys

[racaille]

I was all alone for my lesson today so found myself lumped in with the club dressage team doing their final practice before setting off for Pompadour at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

Oooo-eeerr I was intimidated. Apart from the boy champion on his flashy pony, they were all on huge and elegant beasts, very firmly looking down on us. Little Paco was sweating rivers of dust (obviously the others were all clipped) and he looked like a dirty little carthorse compared with their leggy lovelies.

I envied them their beautiful, collected rocking horse canters as I struggled to contain Paco's enthusiastic charge but he did do some pretty nice (for him) lateral work and I was very pleased with him as he did try hard.

Then I thought: I think he has a better life than the dressage horses. They are so beautiful and precious that they live in boxes and when turned out for an hour or so, are booted and suited so they don't damage themselves. The only work they ever do is schooling in the arena. There is no question they could hack out.

Whereas ol' P has the life of riley getting down and dirty in the paddock, roaming around with his mates and with ad lib hay to munch on. Sure, he often has a scruffy mane or tail and always has dirt and dust somewhere or other but when I see him rolling or sunbathing I think: aaaaaghghhhhhh

[brigadier]

I think you are right about the pampered life of a dressage horse, they are treated as precious and cease to become horses which is sad, nothing like a good roll and a gallop with their mates!

Lateral work doesnt really figure in dressage tests in this country in the early stages Rac, it would be interesting to compare?

You and Eric are certainly doing some stuff at the moment, must be exhausting!

[scattymare]

It is sad that sometimes horses are not allowed to be horses. But I suppose when it's your living in question, you want to protect that.
When I go to my instructors yard, the horses are huge poweful beasts who make me feel like I'm riding a shetland!!

[racaille]

I'm no expert Brig the only dressage comp I've ever done was a baby affair in walk, trot and canter.

But the big boys (and girls) were competing in Club Elite Grand Prix at the w/e. I don't know how this compares with the UK. Basically, we have three levels: Club, Amateur and Pro. Within those there are lots of grades which are pretty complicated.

So they were doing tests with some serious stuff. Eric and I just tried them for fun - his lateral work is quite good - but we didn't bother with the 10m canter circles, they are too hard for him. They were all working on these around the arena and I made everyone guffaw by telling them we would flatten them if Eric had a go!

I'm so lucky with Eric - he goes TRECing one week and then will try his hoof at a bit of dressage ... he's a great little guy!

[kitcat]

He's a real star Rac.

I too feel very sorry for those horses that are not allowed to be horses. Surely a chance to relax, whether in the field or on a long hack, could only be good for them.

[duckles]

Is Eric another name for Paco or am I being really dense? Thought your lesson sounded kind of fun in a way- nice to be totally pulled out of your comfort zone. I think a lot of dressage horses would perform as well (or better) if they were allowed a more enjoyable lifestyle.

[racaille]

Sorry Duckles! Yes, somehow or other Paco has picked up the name Eric the Carthorse. Although now, of course, that should be Eric the Double Champion Carthorse

[ernieburt]

A lady I know competes at PSG and works to grand prix and her horse has never been let out in a field! He is very pampered and loved but I do wonder If she let him out for a few hours a day he would refrain from squeeling and bucking up the centre line and wouldn't have to keep retiring him or getting eliminated. He does look depressed sometimes as well. I am sure P is much happier dirt and all.