Did you know? (Rant!)

[Sodapoppers]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#wsr - man you are a skinny little thing! I am sooo jealous #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Angry/1.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Teasing/1.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[WSR]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#wsr - man you are a skinny little thing! I am sooo jealous #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Angry/1.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Teasing/1.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Uhg, its not as great as it seems... Not only am I skinny, but im 5'11.. Field boots sure are fun to shop for. As well as saddles, horses,breeches,jackets,show shirts Uhg, just thinking about it makes my head hurt.#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Other/3.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Sodapoppers]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#LOL tall n' skinny and short n' fat? I think i am going to make a clothing line for equestriancs called that and cater to the hard to fit rider ...LOL I think i will get lots of sales. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Sodapoppers]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#What do you think of tihs as a hunter? Sorry the pic is a big grainy for me to lighten it up#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[*Giddy Up*]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#WSR- I like that look of the hunter.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#SP- Hope youd idn't take any offense to my post- I really do think you two look great for where you are. Many big improvements!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Your second picture is good too- but again, I would look for being more on the bit.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Sodapoppers]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#LOL GU, of course i didn't take offense. I know where Dream and I stand and what's true and what's not That is cheryl on him in the second pic. Maybe it's the angle it's on, but he's on that bit #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[WSR]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#SP- JMHO, but in that pic, it looks like your horse needs to track up more and 'find the bit' for lack of a better term. And there actually is a store for hard to fit riders, they sent me a catalog. Its called like, 142 or somthing like that. Not sure. I can find out if your interested.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[PerfectAngel]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ShezaPerfectAngel/Alexshunter.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Since we were on the topic of hunters, what do you all think of this mare that a friend of mine just bought? She has wanted a hunter for years, but everyone kept telling her to get a jumper because she could go further, but she finally said NO! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ShezaPerfectAngel/Alexshunter.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl#

[Brianna]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#WSR - #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#VERY nice horse - that is what I personally like to see place in the hunter ring. 'Course, I say that mostly because I like the overall picture - and that is how my mare goes, too! lol#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#Long and low needs to have an end point, lol and that shouldn't be nose on the ground - it should be how WSR's horse is going - topline should be straight, horse on the bit and in a #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#*frame*, hind end engaged, etc.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#I wasn't impressed with the 3 pix that were posted before, #1 was the best of the group, but if I were a judge, I don't think I'd pin any of them in the top 3 - maybe not at all depending on the other rides.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#Edited to add to Lehane - I like the look of the grey as well, although I'd like to see a smidge more of a headset, I'm not at all bothered by where the horse is carrying himself in terms of head/neck or back and hind end.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[WSR]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#WSR - #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#VERY nice horse - that is what I personally like to see place in the hunter ring. 'Course, I say that mostly because I like the overall picture - and that is how my mare goes, too! lol#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Thanks,hopfully the judges feel the same way about him this season! hm, if I can find a good jumping side view pic of him, I will post it.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Edited to add pics, there screenshots so their pretty bad quality. These pics were taken during a mod. childrens class...you would think the jumps were 12' high. And ignore the disgusting equitation#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#longspot- #ed_op#A href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/184232719/189363371nwEWol"#ed_cl#http://community.webshots.com/photo/184232719/189363371nwEWol#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Over Jumping by a good 3'-#ed_op#A href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/184232719/189362514aFgKZt"#ed_cl#http://community.webshots.com/photo/184232719/189362514aFgKZt#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Brianna]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#You're welcome, WSR#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#IMG onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#C6D3EF';this.style.border='1px solid #3169C6'; " style="BORDER-RIGHT: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #3169c6 1px solid; CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: #3169c6 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6d3ef" onclick="InsertImage('/richedit/smileys/classic.gif');" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor=''; this.style.border=''" src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/classic.gif" align=absMiddle#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#Here is a pic of my mare after 6 months under saddle - winter of 99#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/123682710/222925930KlJsCu"#ed_cl#http://community.webshots.com/photo/123682710/222925930KlJsCu#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#This is a schooling jumper class from 2000#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/123682710/123683613PQTYCC"#ed_cl#http://community.webshots.com/photo/123682710/123683613PQTYCC#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#Kind of an awkward angle - but from last summer - plz ignore my equitation, lol#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/136890177/136892131nwPXbD"#ed_cl#http://community.webshots.com/photo/136890177/136892131nwPXbD#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#Also from this past summer - her hind end could definitely be engaged - but her head set is good#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/173121121/173126062ENSBou"#ed_cl#http://community.webshots.com/photo/173121121/173126062ENSBou#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[*Giddy Up*]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#PA- I think that horse is gorgeous.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Promise- Those are some good pics. She looks very excited in the jumping one!#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys//lick.gif"#ed_cl# In terms of placing at a show, no I wouldn't place her in the top because she looks all *sprung out*, but she looks like she is having fun! perhaps too much?#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys//smiley2.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Sodapoppers]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#SP- JMHO, but in that pic, it looks like your horse needs to track up more and 'find the bit' for lack of a better term.

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sorry, that's as good as it gets #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Brianna]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#GU - I would tend to agree with you about the more recent pictures, but she hadn't been working regularly at that time and it was really muddy both days. So, she was moving sort of cautiously through the mud and wouldn't engage willingly, I wasn't forcing her. So, yea strung out. She was certainly was in no condition to enter a show, lol. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6000bf#ed_cl#I think of those I posted the o/f and the early one (1999) are the best...not perfect, mind you, but worth consideration (not necessarily placing, I'm happy just to have a good round, lol) in a show ring. I cannot remember for sure if it was an Eq. o/f or a jumper class - the caption says Eq. but I am not positive. Either way, I did place in that class. As for the earliest picture - yea, she looked like that at home, but got her to the show ring and she just broke down completely like she had no concept of having training before hand, lol. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Marley]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well after reading all the posts I think you forgot one thing in what they are looking for in a hunter class. Now I havent shown hunter in a thousand years (yes I am old) and I am just about to go to some schooling shows with my 16'2" appy (who is quite colourful but looks like a painted warmblood..lol). #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#My coach has been stressing one thing especially and that is rythym. They want to see a hunter go round the ring without changing its pace and going at a rather comfortable trot or canter.........one without too much energy as one would get tired in the field otherwise.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Head carraige and neck carriage should be natural for that horse and hopefully your horse doesnt have a girraffe head carriage or you may be in trouble. Also yes not too much knee action as that kind of horse may tire as well.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#As for seat, well I too ride in a light seat, not quite two point but not sitting either. My horse has a rocky canter and I find it hard to sit too or actually I can sit to it but I dont like it. When I allow him to canter as I am in a light seat then he tends to go more naturally and it allows both his shoulder and hindquarters to swing with a nice rythym. I am acatually trying to get him to raise his head and neck at the canter becasue he tends to pull down getting too low......................I try to have very light hands as otherwise he may go into a frame (we did dressage when he was 4) and too much into a frame. BUT I do not PERCH, and I use my legs and a light contact to communicate what I want.............of course I do sit for a bit now and then when I feel that I need more seat to help him.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I am looking forward to showing him hunter, even with all the prejudice out there.......it is just for fun and experience.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Susan#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[*Giddy Up*]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Definitely a good point Marley.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#That's something Zippy and I need to work on o/f because she likes to jump like a yahoo#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Teasing/3.gif"#ed_cl#. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I too am getting excited for showing. I found an old picture of me on a horse I used to show and I remember how fun it was.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[dressagenap]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The following are a few things that I can't help but comment on:#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#I'm not saying that it is correct to rid in a "light seat" all the time, but it is correct at some points.  Forexample, when I'm riding a course,  I will sit and use my seat from about 3 strides out, but on a larger course (my barn has a huge hunt course) where there is a lot of distance between lines or fences, I ride in light seat to get off my mares back and allow her to move forward and more freely.  So if used correctly, there is consistantly a combination of light seat and full seat.  Also, just because a rider is in light seat does NOT mean they arent using leg. In fact, riding in light seat and staying off the horses back puts more weight into your heel, causing a stronger leg throughout.  I find I use more leg riding like this, actually.  As I said, I'm sure all riders dont use the light seat correctly, but when used correctly there are benefits to the horse.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I completely agree with you.  I have two different instructors/coaches, one of them a dressage rider and the other a jumper/eventer (I'm pretty sure she used to event and now rides jumpers lol).  Both of them will get me to use a half seat at certain points in time when jumping or doing more of a hand gallop.  However, they also both have me sit down towards the jumps.  It enables the horse to move more freely and prevents both horse and rider from tiring as quickly.  I still use my seat when in a half seat, although obviously in a different way then when I'm doing dressage.  I definitely still use my legs and I never perch.  I also maintain some contact with my horse normally and, aside from that, rely on my hands (or the rest of my arm rather, especially my shoulder, hehe) only for contact sometimes an opening inside rein type of thing.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#thanks to her clyde/hackney breeding#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Quick question: you didn't happen to get her from the Ontario Breeders Production Sale or any of the people involved, did you?  The gelding that I lease came from the Bowens #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I'm also not saying that half seat shouldn't be used as I use it all the time in ring to get my mare to really open up for the galloping stretches in the jumper ring but there is a difference between riding in half seat properly and just posing there. Someone that can ride effectively in full seat can ride with the same effectiveness in half seat but someone who just poses in half seat can't really ride effectively in half seat. Also in the hunter ring you never ride in full seat, even when showing on the flat. It's always half seat or two point otherwise they see you as being too dressagey. At least in the jumpers I can switch between full seat for the corners to balance my mare back and half seat to get her to stretch out.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I've got pretty much the same to say here as I did to BarnBrat's comments.  In other words, I really agree with you.  In fact, this reminds me of a riding camp friend of mine that would always perch in a hunt seat at the canter.  I haven't seen her in almost two years so I can't tell you how she rides now but IMO she truly was just posing there, and I remember that she couldn't ride nearly as well because of it.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I'm not a big fan of downhill horses AT ALL (which is why I really, really don't like quarter horses), so neither look appealing. It's a good thing I don't do hunter, if that's what they're looking for. A horse who's on the bit is what I'd prefer, not one that's low with its nose a foot from the ground like that.. looks lazy, unenthusiastic, and bored to me.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Once again, I'm with you all the way.  I have ridden some very lovely quarter horse crosses and probably even pure quarter horses.  In fact, I can actually think of a purebred, ex-western schoolie at my barn that I think started to go round and in a frame (in the dressage sense) - chewing the bit and such - although she was never all that lovely a horse and is now used mainly for beginners.  However, I think I know more quarter horses that are incredibly downhill and western-y.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I also must remind people that even though a horse is in a dressage-type frame that they can still easily be on the forhand

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Very true.  I had a mare that would 'round her neck' (for lack of better words) and bend at the poll.  To the novice eye, it looked very dressage like, but in reality, she was just leaning on my hands.  I paid for it, she was VERY strong.  She was an ex-barrel racer and I never quite got her out of constantly leaning on my hand but even though she casted a pretty picture for an eye on the ground, she was VERY much on the forehand.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#IMO, the key word here is a dressage-#ed_op#EM#ed_cl#type#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# frame.  As far as I'm concerned, a horse will not be like that if in a proper dressage frame.  However, I know horses that will put their heads down and appear to be nice and on the bit.  I can think of two in particular: Quincy and Mr. T.  Quincy, as it happens, was the quarter horse that I was kind of... imagining as I wrote about the downhill quarter horses.  Even with an amazing dressage rider on him, one could only hope to get his head sufficiently up that he was not pulling down on the rider and completely on the forehand (which was not completely due to his low head - he also had a very downhill build and obviously there are other factors too); I doubt that he was ever capable of being properly 'on the bit' even if that's what he appeared to be.  As it happens, my barn had to send him back to the cowboy that they bought him from because he had soundness issues - I think that he had a cold back.  Mr. T was similar in that he would pull his head down and become very strong and also appear to be in a frame, although of course it was horrible and he was very much on the forehand.  If ridden properly though, he could use his haunches and go nicely round.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I think EVERY rider could use basic dressage training..........not just learning to ride because it’s what the judges are looking for.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I can say that looking at a hunter horse now just doesn't do it for me. They look flat, no real movement from behind and no use of a correct seat from the rider (Not all but alot I've seen). Remember that I did ride and love hunter for a very long time.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Hear hear!  (Or is it 'Here, here!'? lol)#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Also from a lot of the hunter riders I know, they DO do dressage now.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#We must know a very different set of hunter riders.  Almost all of my hunter friends do absolutely no dressage #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Anyhow, I think that's plenty, especially as I really should be going to bed soon.  Also, please note that the only showing that I've ever done is in the form of equitation schooling shows at my barn, hence the lack of comments related more closely to hunter!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[*rickie*]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#WSR, nice of you to join our discussion.....I was away, and man did I ever have something to come bak to! hahaha#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#Anyways.....I have to say that I like the way your horse is moving, but it is broken at the 3ird/4th vertibae, which dis-engages its hind end.........not totally, but it does. This is I don't like, not even in the hunters, but I also refuse to show hunters (except small local schooling shows) exactly b/c of all of this stuff.....#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#A nice hunter to me would be more along the lines of the grey horse that was posted. However, even that horse I would like to see the front end lifted up a tiny little bit.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#In Dressage, many people think that you should train the horse on a long and low head set, then once the horse can do what you're asking in the long and low head set, you lift it up a level, and then do everything at that level. For me the perfect hunter would be the long and low head set that I am talking about here. Where the horse's highest point is still the poll, but that there is head set, and the poll doesn't fall below the whither. And also where the whither is at the same point, or VERY slightly above the crop, making for a nice uphill, well engaged, looking for contact horse. However, I have yet to see on of these........once day....in a perfect world.......#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[BarnBratCSA]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#We must know a very different set of hunter riders.  Almost all of my hunter friends do absolutely no dressage #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I know a lot of hunter riders that incorporate dressage into their program. I myself find it very helpful.  a horse that knows basic dressage movements and is responsive to your aids is much more able to tackle anything you ask.  My mare does a lot of basic dressage stuff, and I've taught a mare I have for sale to do a lot of dressage. There is a #ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#team penning#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# horse at my barn whose owner takes him off tam penning once a month or so, and she also allows a woman from the barn to do the hunters on him since her horse is lame. Talk about versitale.  This horse goes in and wins in the hunters - cute form, very correct mover, consistant as the day is long....and then the next week he'll go out and win team penning.  He knows a lot of basic dressage, and his owner his purely western. Just goes to show that a very type-y QH that's broke for western can go anywhere with the right training! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[WSR]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="90%" align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=genmed#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#

dressagenap wrote:#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=quote#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#We must know a very different set of hunter riders.  Almost all of my hunter friends do absolutely no dressage #ed_op#IMG alt=Sad src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/images/smiles/icon_sad.gif" border=0#ed_cl#

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff40ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#My horse was a Medium 4 dressage( not sure what level that equals to now)  horse before I got him(as well as a section 2 jumper), now he shows 'A' Hunter and has absolutely no problem in the hunter ring.#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#