>>>> Alex and her friends are now talking about entering another show in the few weeks--this one is a beginner dressage--walk and trot. I know Gat doesn't go 'on the bit' and because of her gaits I'm wondering if Alex should go into this or not, or would that matter?
A horse SHOULDN'T be expected to be "on the bit" at a walk/trot or introductory level dressage test, but I haven't kept up with show trends lately, and it wouldn't surprise me if they are expected to be these days...sigh... Remember though, in dressage tests, the movements of the horse are the main criteria for the points. Horses are expected to have three clean gaits - or two clean gaits in the case of a walk/trot test. With that in mind, my gut would tell me that a strongly lateral horse would be even less suited for a dressage test than for a hunter class...but then, if Alex isn't after ribbons, at least there should be less for her to be overwhelmed by. A refusal at a jump is very dramatic and probably pretty mortifying for a participant. Could Alex just go watch the first one, with you and her asking LOTS of questions about what you see? Maybe she could "groom" for a friend the first time? Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
