If you’re a youth or a petite lady, a pony or small horse might be just the ticket to dressage success.
By Stephanie J. Corum – The Arabian Sport Horse
Here are some dressage-showing complaints you have heard:
“I can’t compete against the big warmbloods on my Arabian/Morgan/Quarter Horse/pony.”
“The judge doesn’t like Arabian/Morgan/Quarter Horse/pony/insert breed name here”.
These perceptions, in part, are what keep some dressage enthusiast riding big warmbloods-horses they may need a stepladder to saddle and whose gaits may prove a challenge to sit. Frankly, a horse that’s too big for you, or too big of a mover for your body to handle, can be intimidating.
Dressage in the US is dominated by women, many of whom are petite in stature. In addition, there’s an increasing emphasis on attracting youth to our sport. In recent years, some of these riders have turned to smaller horse breeds and ponies. In this article, we’ll look at some of these more modestly sized equine partners, and we’ll hear from riders and trainers who have happily downsized.
Why Downsize?
Most dressage riders i this country are female adult amateurs over the age of 30. Professional trainers and instructors work with many of these women, and at times they watch them struggle with big horses.
Rebecca Cord, USDF “L” graduate, USDF bronze and silver medalist, and USDF-certified instructor through Second Level in Lancaster County, PA, says some adult amateurs stall out in their progression because of the physical demands of riding bigger horses. A lot of rider develop a fear factor as they age, and “the little ones are more comforting”, Cord says.
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Sport-Horse Movement: The purebred Arabian WH Dallas+//, ridden by Kim Lacy, has wowed dressage judges with his excellent movement.