not sure what to think...advice please instructors v judges...

[marley and danni]

hi again

right im so confused...

i have 2 instructors and iv been to laods of shows... so my prob is.

1 instructor (competes at dressage) says keep marley in the long low frames hes in and push for a working trot all the time.

2 instructor (Champion Show Ponys) says i should keep marley is a very slow paced very collected trot.

now what the judges say.... most of them say that they would like to see marley faster and i need to push him on more, this is in classes such as working hunter (which i understand why) but also in riding Horse and Thorougbred classes and Novice Ridden....

so im not quite sure what to think, at the moment hes got a good established working trot with 90% of the time hes working correctly and on the bit.... he also has an amazing slow paced trot where hes working correctly allt he time and on the bit... and he can also extend his trot down the diagonal straights and semi on the bit. i try and doo the all in a show but i always get the same comments he needs to be faster... i always ask what they mean and they just say more forward... (hes very forward but works correctly and if i push him any more in the fastest of trots that he can do it just canters)

so confused

any advice

thanks

 

[HorseGirl18]

dont know whether i am any help but i have also been in the same position. if you look at top dressage riders, it seems heir horses are always in the correct frame (poll highest point) but infact, at home they are rarely ridden like that, always long and low. you need them like that to build up their back muscles so they can work from leg to hand truly. when you go to a show, 9/10 judges cant see that you horse is slightly stiff in bending etc so you ride them with the poll being the highest point. not too sure about showing but i hope this helps and someone can add to that