where to find a good 'classical' dressage rider?

[htobago]

Not needed yet, but when my 3yo Arab stallion is backed and going nicely (probably sometime next year) I would like to find a really good professional dressage rider to take him on further - and I prefer the approach of the 'classical' school.

Ideally a relatively small/light rider, as he's only 15.2. Oh, and Arab-friendly of course!

Ideally I'd like to find a freelance rider who could come and school him at Cliveden Stud (nr Maidenhead, Berks), but would consider sending him away (to a yard with similar 5* care) for training and competing outside the stud season.

I know Arabs are not everyone's idea of great dressage horses, but this one does have v good 'uphill' conformation and elevated 'Russian' movement (he's a big in-hand winner).

(Pic taken as a 2yo last year)

Any thoughts or recommendations would be much appreciated!

 

[Bossanova]

There are plenty of people round you, it might be worth contacting the TTT http://www.ttttrust.com/welcome.asp as theyre not that far from you and are generally very willing to help- they will probably know someone in your area who could train him.

 

[volatis]

I was just about to say the TTT. It's a fabulous place to train and the only place I would think to look for a really decent classical trainer

 

[zizz]

Half the fun of having a horse is riding why not give it a go yourself!

 

[RLF]

David Pincus, if Hereford is not too far for you to travel

 

[kizzywiz]

TTT all the way for me

 

[mrdarcy]

I can't suggest anyone but just wanted to say well done for aiming Tobago at the dressage arena. I'd love to see more arabs doing dressage - I'm aiming to do some prelim stuff this winter with my endurance gelding (haven't told him yet!). Tobago is a stunning horse and I'm sure he'll do you and the breed credit.

Are you planning on doing any endurance with him as well?

 

[htobago]

[ QUOTE ]
Half the fun of having a horse is riding why not give it a go yourself!

[/ QUOTE ]

I know. Unfortunately I have a stupid disease which means I am very thin and weak, on high doses of morphine, and simply not physically able to do any very strenuous riding (quite apart from my total lack of talent LOL).

But I'm perfectly content just to do the fun 'happy-hacker' stuff at home with my boy, and let others who are both stronger and more skilled do the serious training and competition.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! It seems I must contact these TTT people! I've added their website to my 'favourites' and will get in touch soon to ask about possible riders/trainers in my area...

 

[htobago]

Thanks gedenskisgirl!

Good luck with your dressage ventures this winter! They are such versatile creatures - I'm sure your boy will be great!

I'm afraid I can't do endurance for the same reason as above, and tbh it's not really my cup of tea anyway - although I hugely admire the dedication and skill of those who do it!

What's your boy's name/breeding? (I think you've told me before, but ages ago and I've forgotten - sorry!)

 

[htobago]

Hehe Zizz - I've just seen your sig-quote and it made me giggle!

Please tell me about your jumping Arab!

It was actually a proper dressage person who encouraged me to aim Tobago at this discipline. She got hold of a photo of him (the one I've posted here), put her hands over the head and tail and said "Look, if you cover up his ridiculous dishy face and silly tail - OK you can still tell he's an Arab but that conformation says 'dressage horse' to me!"

Please could some proper dressage people on here try this exercise and tell me honestly if she has a point?

 

[mrdarcy]

I've got two of the critters...

The old man Gedenski who is by Omarele out of Rashandy and Hajar who is by El Helaly out of Polemika - he's the one I'll be attempting some pouncing about on aka dressage! He's got an amazing extended trot (from his Russian breeding I'm told) which feels like nothing else I've ever sat on (including warmbloods) but is naturally built downhill so starts with a disadvantage.

I'm still trying to learn more about the various bloodlines... especially Spanish. I saw some Spanish bred arabs at the weekend and was really impressed but know nothing about them. Are there any books you'd recommend to give me a good grounding in the various lines/strains/types?

 

[zizz]

well I have a homebred gelding, Ziruus ex Zerdarli by Ibn Tigris, a mixture of crabbet and american/polish bloodlines who unfortunately for my mum was born on my birthday so she just had to give him to me

He has had a very successful year being best foal, yearling, two year old and three year old in succession at malvern show, and winning and placing at county shows under saddle ever since (we even beat the belgian national champ once!)
The last picture shows him jumping at hartpury college in the show jumping nationals for the SWDG riding club team, but he is not as careful a jumper as his mum, much prefering a flat out run accross country - we have been sent home by the field master twice for overtaking hounds and so i have decided to retire him from hunting. He did his first elementary dressage test in march, coming 7th in a class of 29 (unaff) So he really is a versatile little horse, just need to try endurance with him now.

Then we have Zerdarli, Zirrus' mum, ex High Elms Hareela by Ahkaan, bout as a three year old from pam irons, bred from broken and sold on as a five year old, then repurchased ten years later, what were we thinking?

Shes pretty much pure crabbet, bottom photo is from 1996 when she was champion mare at sheppy show, jumping photo is from a 2'6 class, her first jumping comp in eight years, she came second!!

ps she'd make a nice foal with tobago don't you think...

 

[ann-jen]

You could try looking on www.classicalriding.co.uk