Could this be a dressage horse?

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htobago

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Tried posting this on New Lounge, but there seems to be a bit of anti-Arab feeling over there
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- and I was hoping for unbiased opinions.

I know he's an Arab. And I know that they are not generally regarded as ideal dressage horses. But a few proper dressage people have told me that Tobago has the right sort of 'uphill' conformation...

One of them got hold of this photo (see below), and said "Look, if you cover up his ridiculous dishy face and silly tail - er, well actually you can still tell he's an Arab, but to me that conformation says 'dressage'!"

Could some dressage-oriented breeders on here please try this exercise and tell me if you agree? (Cover up the head and tail and try to forget that he's an Arab!)

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Photo taken last year as a 2yo. For what it's worth, he's an international in-hand champion, known on the Arab show circuit for his spectacular movement...but I do realize that this may mean little or nothing from a dressage point of view!
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I was going to start looking for a really good (classical) dressage rider to bring him on and compete him once he's been started under saddle over this winter. But don't want to waste time and money if he is unsuitable for this discipline!
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(Sorry - this isn't strictly a breeding question, except that he's a stallion and will need to prove himself under saddle!
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Well I think it's wondeful you plan to get him produced for dressage. I really like arabs, but like to see them ridden as they are riding horses not show pieces IMHO. Without seeing him move under saddle it would be difficult to tell if he could go to Grand Prix, but I see no reason why with decent training he couldn't go a long way. When I competed on a pure bred arab we never encountered any predjudice, but then we only did local unaffiliated. In fact it was often commented on that it was so nice to see an arab doing dressage and doing well at it.
 
To me it doesn't matter what breed a horse is, as long as it moves correctly, is trainable and trained correctly, there is no reason any breed shouldn't do dressage, its true some breed are naturally better for dressage than others but there is no breed limitations on Dressage, my Arabs sire sired International Dressage Horses and Ponies.
 
What utter rubbish, of course he can do dressage, maybe you want to remind them that the great Dr. Reiner Klimke took a cob to a high level dressage just to show it could be done!! My O/H has worked with a few Arabs, mainly sharp ones that have hit a problem and lots of them competed in Dressage. If he enjoys his flatwork once he going then go for it...i cant see anywhere in the rule book warmbloods only
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Good god peoples attitudes never cease to amaze me. Arabs are far more capable then people give them credit for & I for one dont like to see them just shown in-hand. The Arab in the past was used to improve most breeds & lets not forget their influence on the TB & Trak's. If you want to do dressage with him then you go for it. The only thing you may come across is some biased judging, as there are judges that dont like certain breeds. My old mare was ex of a Welsh x Arab by an AA & she was the perfect all rounder, but she especially loved jumping. I dont remember her ever stopping at a fence & the odd run out was me bottling it!! Much better I just shut my eyes & let her get on with it...
 
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What utter rubbish, of course he can do dressage, maybe you want to remind them that the great Dr. Reiner Klimke took a cob to a high level dressage just to show it could be done!! My O/H has worked with a few Arabs, mainly sharp ones that have hit a problem and lots of them competed in Dressage. If he enjoys his flatwork once he going then go for it...i cant see anywhere in the rule book warmbloods only
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Yay!
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I read one comment on here open mouthed with fury, I refrained from replying because I was too angry.
Who says that an arab (or any other type with the correct conformation) can't do Dressage? How biased and elitist is that?
What was it that he got for his paces HTobago? 20's?
 
He looks lovely, and I think the only way you will find out how he could do is to give it a go!
I am sure there are some breeds that find the sport easier than others, but I cant see why a horse that is fit/sound/healthy cant do well in dressage with the correct training!
I personally am not an arab fan, but when I saw your boys photo's my jaw dropped! I think he is stunning, and would be thrilled to see him on the circuit!
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A lot of the warmbloods come from the AA anyway! As mat_b and the rest say, there is no reason why he cannot do dressage. In fact in Scotland we used to have a Highland Pony stallion on the circuit who was competed up to Advanced Level dressage, beating ALL the warmblood horses at the time. Yes some breeds of horses will find the more advanced movements more easier, but if you dont even try you will never know..
 
Ditto everyone elses comments, dressage is for all breeds types of horse, it's all in the training! Go for it!
 
Thank you so much everyone! I feel much more encouraged now!
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People are entitled to their opinions, of course - and if one asks for comments, one has to be grown-up enough to accept critical ones!
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But I was trying to ask a 'conformation question' rather than a 'breed question' and it's a bit frustrating when people can't see past the breed!
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I do accept that certain breeds are more suited to certain disciplines: I would choose an Arab over a WB for top-level endurance, for example, and if I were setting out specifically to buy a potential Grand Prix dressage horse, I'd go for a WB.

I'm not one of those dippy Arab-people who think that Arabs are the best at everything and can do no wrong!
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But I do agree with you all that an Arab with the right conformation and movement should be able to do well in dressage. (And yes Enfys he does regularly get 20s for his movement!
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It's really a question of whether we aim for this or for ridden showing. I'm inclining towards dressage partly because I think Arabs should get out there and prove themselves in open competition against other breeds. And also because ridden showing clashes with the stud season, whereas dressage can be done in the winter months.
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Thanks again for the encouragement!
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Hi, you know I do dressage with my part bred arab, and there are several pure breds around here that do dressage, not to a particulaly high level, but getting decent marks at novice level.
I'm sure that given the correct training he would easily do a nice test. What sort of level would you be aiming for?
I think he's stunning, and well put together. I'm all for getting arabs on the map for doing dressage!!

I'm hoping to get Axel to at least medium level, and I will be shouting from the rooftops that he is 1/2 arab when I do!!!
 
Confirmation plays a part, but temperment & the want is just as important. A horse can have the ideal confirmation for dressage but if he does not have the inclination then you are fighting a loosing battle. I know a really lovely stallion who is bred for dressage & he can do all the movements & has in the past done quiet well, but he is now switched off. He works so nicely at home, that it is a real shame. So the horses attitude & how is produced is just as important & some horses can overcome certain restraints caused by their confirmation. So as everyone has said go for it & take hime as far as he is capable.
 
Your PBA is gorgeous seahorse - and I'm very glad you're telling people he's half Arab!
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I suppose if my boy is any good - and if he enjoys it - I would be hoping like you to get to at least Medium.
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magic I do agree that temperament and enjoyment are important - I certainly won't force my boy to do dressage if he doesn't like it! And I'd be looking for a kind and sympathetic rider to bring him on - someone who would make it fun for him...
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Your PBA is gorgeous seahorse - and I'm very glad you're telling people he's half Arab!
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I suppose if my boy is any good - and if he enjoys it - I would be hoping like you to get to at least Medium.
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magic I do agree that temperament and enjoyment are important - I certainly won't force my boy to do dressage if he doesn't like it! And I'd be looking for a kind and sympathetic rider to bring him on - someone who would make it fun for him...
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Whoops - sorry about the double post above - not sure what went wrong there; bit of a blonde moment I think!

I'm afraid I don't have any video atm - will try to get some!

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Mobile phone?
 
LOL I certainly don't mind being told my horse is gorgeous - twice!
Thank you btw! Someone asked me the other day at a dressage comp if Axel was a warmblood, she said he had lovely elevated paces! I then told her he was warmblood x Arab!
 
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To me it doesn't matter what breed a horse is, as long as it moves correctly, is trainable and trained correctly, there is no reason any breed shouldn't do dressage, its true some breed are naturally better for dressage than others but there is no breed limitations on Dressage, my Arabs sire sired International Dressage Horses and Ponies.

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Totally agree with you on that one and, although I am not an arab person, I have seen some very nice tests done by them. I think that some people forget that dressage is not just the domain of the warmblood, and, sadly some of those people are judges
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On a more positive note, the younger judges are not so prejudiced, so hopefully this will change - please God let it be sooner rather than later!
 
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