Mithras
Well-Known Member
I went to my local show yesterday, its actually quite a big show which attracts a good quality of horse in the showing classes. But I was quite surprised at how many horses were unable to canter in the Ridden Horse and L/W Hunter classes. I was constantly overtaking people, which I don't like doing, but if you are meant to be cantering and there are still people trotting in front of you, what can you do? Some of them didn't even make any attempt to canter when asked. Even in trot, so many horses weren't going forwards properly so I was constantly overtaking even then. Its not just me because I heard the judge making the same comments.
None of them were playing up, its just that the riders seemed scared to ask their horses to do anything! One even asked to leave the ring when the line up was called in as his horse was only 5 years old. The judge tried to tell him just to let his (perfectly happy) horse stand with the others as it would be a good education for him, and she wouldn't ride him. But I think the rider's nerve had run out and he left. My horse was out jumping British Novice as a 4 y o!
Is it too much to ask of adult riders that they school their horses to be able to do a walk, trot and canter in a ring?
None of them were playing up, its just that the riders seemed scared to ask their horses to do anything! One even asked to leave the ring when the line up was called in as his horse was only 5 years old. The judge tried to tell him just to let his (perfectly happy) horse stand with the others as it would be a good education for him, and she wouldn't ride him. But I think the rider's nerve had run out and he left. My horse was out jumping British Novice as a 4 y o!
Is it too much to ask of adult riders that they school their horses to be able to do a walk, trot and canter in a ring?