Hollyhorse
Well-Known Member
I've owned my dressage horse since christmas 2005. He was newly broken and had 3 months off and I re-backed him at easter '05. He's been in work every since and took him competing (affiliated dressage) last summer at Novice and was winning most outings with percentages in the mid-60s. I think he could go really far in the dressage world as he's a great big moving warmblood and has the attitude and paces to do really well. My problem is I don't know how quickly to move him on. He's rising 6 years old this year and is 17.2. He's still growing and is expected to make 17.3/18hh. I know that big horses take longer to mature and so need to be brought on slowly. He's been doing so well at Novice and could do so well that I'm really impatient to move him up to elementary and keep going! Do you think that's not wise and I should progress up gradually? One friend suggested I compete a year at each level to really establish him at that level and get him balanced and confident and not rush his training. Following this theory he spent last year at Novice so should spend this year at elementary and aim to move up to medium nxt year. Does this sound about right? He's such a trier and genuine chap that it's really tempting to push him on but I don't want to push him before he's ready and ruin everything?! Sorry for the wrong post! Advice pls!
