I don't know how old this saddlebred/arab is, but what a lovely picture he makes. Is he not cute? I like the way he is being ridden too. The reins are long but I love how the rider is using them. Even with my uneducated eye I can definitely see how the outside is supporting and the inside is ever-so-slightly helping with the direction -- it's a good illustration. The horse looks so happy and confident in the contact, and nothing is forced. He looks pretty undeveloped in his musculature in July 2011...
Now check him out at a show six months later! It's his first show, and "he's very nervous," but a nice picture all things considered. One thing I notice is a big difference in the canter under these conditions. Training level 3 and First level 1 -- pretty ambitious for a first show...
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Very nice to see. I knew a lovely Arab x SB mare who was VERY talented at dressage.
ReplyDeleteI had a Saddlebred for a while that was a super lovely horse and, once he learned to work through his back--had to get rid of all his "gaited" training--he was a wonderful dressage mover. It was a lot of work to get him to understand how to go in contact, but once he got it...wow!
ReplyDeleteNot too sure about the Arab cross, but a Saddlebred cross would definitely be on my list for a nice horse to buy.....
Yes, when focused, he looks much more mature. Where I see his Arabian come out is in the canter, and that's where he speeded up, too, of course. Ha-ha. I had to giggle a little where she stopped to let him look at the monster in the judge's box. He looked a little less relaxed and more cranked in the 1st level, but I suspect some of that was just keeping him focused. He did do what he was asked. He was very aware of the entrance! But once again, did what he was asked. I don't doubt he'll learn to relax more at the canter and get better and better as he gets used to shows. I bet he's a fun horse.
ReplyDeleteI like the breed/conformation balancing of a Saddlebred bred for sports like dressage or jumping. An arab has a shorter back and contributes greatly to a Saddlebred's long-backed confo. It helps them to get underneath themselves better. Instead of a kind of choppy, saddle-seat gait with the high head, you get a more round form that looks more comfortable to ride. Love.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comments. bingo will be 5 in may 2012. we did the first level test 3 again yesterday and will post the video soon. we did only one mistake and he was much more relaxed and swinging in his back than at his first show, so that i were able to give him longer reins. unfortunately the judge this time didn't like it, because he comes with the lower head behind the vertical. that he was nice and soft and swinging in his back, which is hard to reach as he was trained saddlebred before i got him, she didn't recognize. but more important than the score is that i know that he did a good job and i was satisfied with him. he is a good boy!
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