Dressage?

x_Relle · 09-19-2006, 06:47 AM

So i have a Shire filly, but i don't think she is quite show quality, so showing her would be pretty pointless. Do you think i could do dressage with her? I'd post pictures but they wouldn't be very helpful, as they are mostly headshots. She appears to be light on her feet, but do you think it would be stupid turning up to a dressage competition on a shire? Also, sorry if this is on the wrong board, i was unsure as to where to post it.

horseychic_001 · 09-19-2006, 06:48 AM

you can do dressage with ANY horse, no matter how they're built

x_Relle · 09-19-2006, 06:52 AM

I thought that, as i was reading about a women doing dressage with her coloured cob, but do you think i'll stick out like a sore thumb?

horseychic_001 · 09-19-2006, 06:52 AM

No way, people will see in awe what a draft can do, instead of the usual warmbloods (hehe~!)

x_Relle · 09-19-2006, 07:01 AM

lol, i have just been looking for dressage instuctors, i have a choice of 4. Of course, it's going to be a few years before i'll be riding and competing on her.

Just_me · 09-19-2006, 07:09 AM

I think every sound horse can do lower level dressage.i`ve seen lots of drafts(even heavier ones) compete at shows.You probably wound`t get up to grand prix level,but why not give it a try

JBandRio · 09-19-2006, 07:09 AM

There is no reason a Shire cannot compete successfully at lower levels of dressage. In the lower levels, the goal is to perform accurate, correct movements, with no collected work. The horse has to be "on the bit", as in moving from behind and not on his forehand, but he certainly doesn't have to have a near-vertical face.

Beyond that, a Shire, or any draft breed for that matter, is unlikely to succeed at higher levels. Drafts are bred for things that are just about as far removed from dressage as you can get. They are bred to be strong, not forward. They don't have the build to collect well and sit back and do canter pirouettes or extended trots.

But ANY horse, regardless of breed, should be able to perform decently at lower levels. How well they score is relative to their training and their ride that day.

John · 09-19-2006, 07:17 AM

You can always move up to "Western " later if you get tired of dressage.

JumpsxGlory · 09-19-2006, 07:17 AM

I've seen plenty of drafts and draft crosses compete in Dressage and do a great job. At an HJDA show last year I saw a Clydes cross, not exactly gorgeous to look at but moved wonderfully. These were lower levels though...

mncowgirl · 09-19-2006, 08:58 AM

Lower level dressage is great for all horses, it teaches them to be light and responsive!! When training, all my young ones go through a bit of dressage "training". They don't compete and we do it all in a western saddle.

..((Gasp))

09-19-2006, 06:47 AM	#1
x_Relle Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In between Wigan and Bolton,Lancashire, UK Posts: 103 Images: 3	Dressage? So i have a Shire filly, but i don't think she is quite show quality, so showing her would be pretty pointless. Do you think i could do dressage with her? I'd post pictures but they wouldn't be very helpful, as they are mostly headshots. She appears to be light on her feet, but do you think it would be stupid turning up to a dressage competition on a shire? Also, sorry if this is on the wrong board, i was unsure as to where to post it. __________________ Owner of two wondeful horses- RGs Ultimate Everything- PBA Mare Broomsgrove Jody- 2005 Shire Filly

09-19-2006, 06:52 AM	#3
x_Relle Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In between Wigan and Bolton,Lancashire, UK Posts: 103 Images: 3	I thought that, as i was reading about a women doing dressage with her coloured cob, but do you think i'll stick out like a sore thumb? __________________ Owner of two wondeful horses- RGs Ultimate Everything- PBA Mare Broomsgrove Jody- 2005 Shire Filly

09-19-2006, 07:01 AM	#5
x_Relle Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In between Wigan and Bolton,Lancashire, UK Posts: 103 Images: 3	lol, i have just been looking for dressage instuctors, i have a choice of 4. Of course, it's going to be a few years before i'll be riding and competing on her. __________________ Owner of two wondeful horses- RGs Ultimate Everything- PBA Mare Broomsgrove Jody- 2005 Shire Filly

09-19-2006, 07:09 AM	#6
Just_me Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: europe-the wide wild world:-) Posts: 2,519 Images: 6	I think every sound horse can do lower level dressage.i`ve seen lots of drafts(even heavier ones) compete at shows.You probably wound`t get up to grand prix level,but why not give it a try __________________ ,.:+`The OnLy Place Where YoUr DreAms BecOme ImpoSsIble,Is In YoUr Own ThinKing`+:.,

09-19-2006, 07:09 AM	#7
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,000 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	There is no reason a Shire cannot compete successfully at lower levels of dressage. In the lower levels, the goal is to perform accurate, correct movements, with no collected work. The horse has to be "on the bit", as in moving from behind and not on his forehand, but he certainly doesn't have to have a near-vertical face. Beyond that, a Shire, or any draft breed for that matter, is unlikely to succeed at higher levels. Drafts are bred for things that are just about as far removed from dressage as you can get. They are bred to be strong, not forward. They don't have the build to collect well and sit back and do canter pirouettes or extended trots. But ANY horse, regardless of breed, should be able to perform decently at lower levels. How well they score is relative to their training and their ride that day. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

09-19-2006, 06:48 AM	#2
horseychic_001 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: richmond, bc Posts: 937 Images: 5	you can do dressage with ANY horse, no matter how they're built

09-19-2006, 07:17 AM	#8
John Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 3,747 Images: 60	You can always move up to "Western " later if you get tired of dressage.

09-19-2006, 07:17 AM	#9
JumpsxGlory Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,406 Images: 1130 Blog Entries: 2	I've seen plenty of drafts and draft crosses compete in Dressage and do a great job. At an HJDA show last year I saw a Clydes cross, not exactly gorgeous to look at but moved wonderfully. These were lower levels though... __________________ "Success will only come to the dressage rider who wins the friendship of his/her four-legged partner and turns him into a ally"~Alois Podhajsky 100% D-R-E-S-S-A-G-E Carpe Diem (Ollie) Dressage Gelding

09-19-2006, 08:58 AM	#10
mncowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 248 Images: 8	Lower level dressage is great for all horses, it teaches them to be light and responsive!! When training, all my young ones go through a bit of dressage "training". They don't compete and we do it all in a western saddle. ..((Gasp))

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