Tennessee Walker doing dressage -what do you think???

[moonrize]

http://www.walkinonranch.com/MNFreestyle.html

Tell me what you think. I'll reserve my opinion for later. ;-)

[Cindy]

A very well trained horse. I don't think that horse could perform any better than what that trainer was able to get out of him. Good work by the trainer.

[Barbwire]

Oh, I remember this horse!! THe lady that owns him has done some AMAZING things with him. Be sure to check out the rest of the site to see what I am talking about.

Now, having said all that, I must say, the patented TWH head nod looks kinda silly on a dressage horse. IMO :lol:

[moonrize]

I think they've done quite a good job with him considering he's really not built for dressage. I don't like the "gait" movements since he seems to be pacing in cadence rather than gaiting in cadence. And although the horse looks like he's doing a good job at what they've asked, watching the rider, wow, it's really bouncy. Would be interesting to see what someone could do with a paso.

[paintedhorizon]

Watch this first video

http://www.walkinonranch.com/Celebration.html

About halfway through (you can move it forward) where the TWH are cantering. Her canter is beautiful. What in the HECK is that the TWH are doing? Tell me, HOW is that natural?? that is what ticks me off about those dang shows! I'm glad something is being done, I just hope they do more. Those are the reasons I left the last TWH show I went to, I was SICKENED by the so called NATURAL gaits they were doing! :evil:

[pnalley]

The dressage horse is awesome! I love the piaffe in gait! Too cool. I think that trainer got everything possible out of that horse.

The second folks with Watchout, man what a lovely animal. Good for them for taking "tradition" by the horns and showing what a real Tennesse Walker should look like! I think he is just stunning, a beautiful horse tht moves beautifully! His color perfectly matches his young riders outfit :not worthy

[Laura S]

Originally Posted by paintedhorizon

Watch this first video

http://www.walkinonranch.com/Celebration.html

About halfway through (you can move it forward) where the TWH are cantering. Her canter is beautiful. What in the HECK is that the TWH are doing? Tell me, HOW is that natural?? that is what ticks me off about those dang shows! I'm glad something is being done, I just hope they do more. Those are the reasons I left the last TWH show I went to, I was SICKENED by the so called NATURAL gaits they were doing! :evil:

I loved this video. That young rider was so brave to go in their with all those big licks and show her TW naturally. He moved beautifully. Every once in awhile you could see her go by a big lick, and I just think the way they show those horses is disgusting.....it makes them look like freaks. Poor things, those TW's must be so embarrassed with what their owners do to them. JMHO.

[paintedhorizon]

Laura, I agree. I just don't see how it's even fashionable! It looks horrendous!

They didn't even place her in that show (I watched the whole thing). But I still think he was MUCH better than the others!

[TrueStepPaso]

Wow....I just watched that video collection & read their story about Champagne Watchout, and it gave me the deepest respect for these ppl. They are horse ppl I can truly look up to.

I couldn't get over how freakish those competing horses looked....they seemed like they belonged in a Star Wars movie the way they crawl awkwardly along the rail. Those poor things don't even have an ounce of stability in their rear legs from their fetlock to their hock.

As for the dressage video....although he is rather long & his gait/head bobbing looks kinda funny, I gotta give them credit for going out there & giving it their best. Good for them.

[paintedhorizon]

Yep, looks like a crab walking! I think the Sabino was walking the worse!

I know when Stella and I went to our first gaited dressage, ppl were looking at our "funny" looking horses because of the gait.