So just to play devil's advocate here, what is a "true country" horse and a "true pleasure" horse?
So the rulebook says:
1.9 Pleasure Driving
A. Class Conditions
1. Ring Procedure: Pleasure driving horses are to enter the ring counter-clockwise (to the right) at a pleasure trot. To be shown...
Yes, I had heard this, and this is a fantastic step in the right direction! But it's going to take promotion from all levels in the industry (judges and trainers included) to view these as worthwhile classes to include in the showbill.
More food for thought:
Others have mentioned the value of...
I'd like to piggy back on Marty and other's comments about showing and I've love to see an overall perspective change towards training the miniature horse. Coming from the the "big horse" show world we spend hours working on our showmanship, trail/obstacle, and dressage work with our horses...
Thanks Donna,
I know I've had a horse in those classes the last few years (as well as the Palas family) so it would be disappointing to not have them. Thank you guys for always putting on a great show (even when it floods!) and I'm sure this year will be no different!
Chelsie
Am I being blind? But I don't see any hunter or jumper for the ponies . . . that would be very disappointing if true, we have god knows how many halter classes, with every split, and then cut out performance classes.
Hi Zelda,
The 2014 class list is already available here:
http://www.shetlandminiature.com/pressrelease/item/2014-congress-class-list.html
Hope this helps!
I totally agree with Disney Horse: diet and exercise.
For a brood mare (or any unfit horse really) the biggest things are going to be building up the muscles in her top line and engaging her hindquarters. Lunging and ground driving over trot poles, small cavalettis and hills if you have any...
It is my understanding as well that they are not hosting a show this year. However I believe the Sansevere's are still planning on hosting 1-2 AMHR performance only shows at their personal facility in Buffalo, MN. These are always a blast and very youth and amateur friendly!
It's been pretty cold here in WI (single digits all week), but it was in the low 20's on Saturday so we drove in the indoor arena. Here's my classic shetland gelding "Oneka's Here Comes Trouble" practicing some obstacles. He was pretty unfazed with my fake bridge, flowers, AND we didn't knock...
We have had a little bit of everything over the years (our first mini was a 29" mare) but we mostly drive and jump and tend to like B's better. Provided this last sale goes through we are, for the first, time split evenly between minis and shetlands (we've always had mostly minis). In a...
100% agree with Minimor. I had been working on an answer to this and she said it perfectly.
Unfortunately it needs to start with our trainers and judges. I so badly wish more emphasis in our mini/pony world was put into the training of the horse as opposed it it's natural ability. (soap...
I generally do the 'tear-drop' shaped reverse: swing wide enough to the inside to not slow or quicken your horse's pace or cause them to toss their head, and gradually make your way back to the rail, which results in a tear-drop shape. Of course this can get tricky with an arena full of horses...