who rides dressage

[Moonwalker]

I think there is a distinction between Cowboys and idiots who THINK they are cowboys (which is what I think she meant to say

 

[justduckie]

I know a few "idiots" around here but they are all "wanna-be" cowboys. Unfortunately, in Wyoming, there are some of the real things up on horses, so the wanna-be's really stick out.

As for dressage, I am starting to learn dressage at the ripe old age of 47 and I'm having a blast! I found my "coach" by going down to the local equestian park, looking at the board and finding out who was in charge and emailing her. She was more than happy to help me. I laugh when I think about our lessons........

"head up! shoulders back! Don't look down, don't look down, look BETWEEN the horse's ears! put those hands DOWN! LOOK UP!!!!"

I start laughing so hard sometimes that I about fall off my horse! And she's in stitches on the rail. But I'm getting better and she doesn't yell at me as much. But my calves still cramp up on me......learning to go from western and my feet kind of out and forward to bringing my feet back and pointing my toes forward......these old legs don't change very fast.

I don't know if I will ever compete in dressage, but figured it was a good thing to learn and practice over the winter. That way I can keep my horse active during the winter months and I don't lose my conditioning on her. I'd like to start our season next year with a 50 miler and that won't happen unless I keep her moving.

 

[Moonwalker]

I love to ride "high school" horses but basic dressage was too boring for me. I HATED having to memorize the patterns for show classes! In other words, I like the fun, not the drudgery! (I admit it, I am lazy) But, I DID have to go through it to learn to be ABLE to ride the fun stuff.

 

[WisconsinChick]

wait, duckie, arent you supposed to look where your going, not between the horses ears?

 

[Oblio13]

Can't find any dressage-specific pics, but used to do a lot of three-phase eventing. This is my now-retired TB, Checkmate:

I thought it was good that most of the men were gay, especially during the competitor's parties.

Very, very good.

 

[Moonwalker]

Quote:
Normally, between the horses ears IS where you are going!

But even when sidepassing you are supposed to be looking ahead. If you watch dressage, Haute Ecole exhibitions, The Lippazzaners, etc., the idea is to give the signals to the horse with as little movement as possible on the part of the rider. With a very good rider, and well trained horse, it is hard to see any motion at all from the rider. The horse seems to read their mind.

There is also this one lady that rides in bareback/no bridle classes that just seems to sit there while her horse does reinging patterns. The only signals you see from her are getting a handful of mane before a sliding stop or leaning forward a bit before a dead run. There is a vid on YouTube somewhere

 

[Moonwalker]

Quote:

Have you posted this pic before? Because I know I have seen it somewhere!

 

[chickbea]

Quote:
I don't think i'd describe my husband, his family, or anyone in our community for that matter an 'idiot'.

Oooh! I didn't mean to offend - I find cowboys pretty hot too

, but not ones who ride in that Hollywood style with their elbows flapping like they are ready to take off. A good cowboy on a fine reining horse is a beautiful sight....

 

[EllyMae]

Chickbea, I know exactly the wannabe's you are describing...the ones that get on once a year and bounce around on the poor horses back like a sack of potatoes, whooping it up...AND they are dressed like they just stepped out of a hollywood cowboy set. It is really annoying and makes me upset for the horses sake.
But sometimes it can be entertaining, like when the hollywood cowboys tried to participate in the wild cow milking at our rodeo, now that was funny.

 

[gaited horse]

thanks guys i will have to try telling her the more gay dressage riders the more girls i can get.