Will our cob be able to do a dressage test?

[Marshmallow29]

We have a stocky little cob and my daughter would like to try a W&T test in a couple of weeks but we are not sure if we are being silly. We are novice owners and the other horses at the yard are much finer and better quality than our pony, Chloe. They are all, bar one, either racers, ex-racers, WBs or TBx and Chloe is a stumpy legged coloured cob with a thick set head and neck.

When we see the other horses being ridden some of them seem to float along and we are under no illusions that Chloe stomps along and makes the floor shake

Can any horse do a W&T test do you think? It is only a small local event but we've never been before and are not sure what to expect.

 

[xbuzzx]

Ofcorse you can!

I've taken my coloured cob to do a few walk and trot tests (one even at a local native pony show! and my boys not in the slightest native! ) and I'm planning to go do a canter one soon!

My boy is not a dressage horse in the slightest! Doesn't do outline(but learning), has a fast trot(trying to slow it) and doesn't canter in circles (also working on that!) So just go and have fun and Im sure there'll do fine!

 

[Janesomerset]

My friend's Welsh cob does a good dressage test. He has a lovely trot when he is at a show and gets excited. He can do shoulder-in and other movements very nicely...I'd give it a go!

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Of course Cobs can do dressage! mine do! and at least i smile when i am riding my test - the posers on the funny-breds and dumb-bloods must scowl loads as judges always comment that the rider looks relaxed or happy

Of course they also say things like "sympathetically ridden" or "well sat" or my absolute favourite: "Pity....exploded"

 

[saz5083]

Go for it! You might be suprised how many coblets do dressage

Its meant to be fun so just go and enjoy it. I have a welshie who went to elementary and a cob x working medium so no reason your girl cant give it a bash. Just go, smile, and enjoy

 

[HayleyandBob]

Go for it! Cobs can do anything

even if it does sound like an earthquake

i love being able to hear my cobs hoofbeats clearly! especially when we go for a good gallop lol adds to the effect i think
x

 

[Welshboy]

I know plenty of cobs who do successful tests (both w&t and prelim). Definitely give it a go.

 

[Marshmallow29]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone

We will probably charge round like a herd of elephants crashing coconut shells together but we will remember to smile nicely whilst doing it

 

[Annagain]

Go for it. Your little cob sounds a star. She is every bit as good as those other pretentious horses on your yard and don't let anybody make you believe otherwise.

 

[Kayfm]

Yes, take your lovely horsie. I have a warmblood that has trouble with balance on one rein canter (though improving) and I still go. I really enjoy it. I done my first walk and trot the other month. My straight lines where def not straight and had a few other hitches but loved every minute of it and got 7th with a ribbon

out of quite a big class. Soooo goooo and enjoy you horse.

 

[the watcher]

Yes, absolutely.

Accuracy counts for as much as anything in tests, and at that level floaty paces don't mean much at all so your coblet can compete on equal terms.

You may even find, with a little work on the flatwork, that your cob develops enough power behind to give a reasonable impression of lightness in the paces and can actually progress on a couple of levels

 

[mik]

My mum's old welsh cob was PSG level, he always did very well, was easy to ride and was never accused of lack of impulsion, here he is at 25 doing a showing class with mum. He was more than stocky.

 

[kirstyhen]

Three (user on here) has a fab Cob that does dressage!

 

[lauraandharvey]

course!!

hes my HW coblet doing dressage against affiliated horses
he came 5th & 6th in his tests

 

[Marshmallow29]

Thanks again everyone. Love the photos - two very nice horses

 

[Barneykins]

My lil cob has taken me from up thro the riding club dressage levels and we are somehow Open riders lol. Seriously tho, cobs can do dressage no problems. Have fun!!

 

[jens]

I have a friend who does dressage at RC on a clydesdale cross and is always in the rosettes and I have a fell who does dressage. We are currently learning lateral movements and doing well!

 

[jendie]

My small carthorse will be doing some low level tests during the summer. She'd be doing some of the more difficult tests if she had a better rider

 

[Spudlet]

Of course! When cobs start working properly they look lovely

Taz used to do some lovely work (for about 2 minutes at a time mind you, but he could do it!)

 

[Saxon_Jasmine]

Of course! My old loan horse was a cob type (see last pic in signiture) and we came 14th out of 47 in a dressage test recently. I've also competed him in other dressage comps and ODEs and he's always scored really high marks.

 

[Dirtymare]

Of course your cob can do dressage.
I know a lovely heavy cob that does elementary and wins!!
My cobby type does elementary too. She has just started showing some really good medium trot. We have actually won an affiliated Novice test.
We have competed against some very nice warmbloods and beaten them too!!
Your horse should be judged on suppleness, responsiveness and obedience, and how accurately you ride the test, not how flashy his paces are.
I'd say go for it. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised .
Good luck.

 

[DiablosGold]

See my cob in my sig doing dressage - that year he was 3rd overall in dressage at my riding club, with points accumulated throughout the year.

You'll be absolutely fine and they should be very welcoming towards you both

 

[TheoryX1]

My very handsom black irish cob used to win prelim dressage with me. He is a chunky monkey and has nice paces and spot on conformation for a cob. Used to get some lovely comments about what a super little horse he is. It was also good that he is a poseur and will flick his toes and arch his back and neck when he sees white boards and letters. Go for it. cobs can do anything. Take no notice of those owners with so called dressage horses. We dont do dressage now as I dont have time to do it justice, but he could have gone up a level or two definitely.

 

[miss_c]

My coblet does dressage! Hardest thing with her is keeping it steady!

 

[xmariax]

of course you can cobs can do anything

good luck!

 

[lauraandharvey]

did you ever see the Your Horse special on Wesley?
A HW cob like mine who had operations on his tendon sheath

he qualified for reigionals etc at a good level!

x

 

[kbsaff]

Of course you can! Dressage isn't all about fancy moves on posh warmbloods.
It's about Correctness (is that a word?) and, as Dirtymare correctly says suppleness, responsiveness and obedience.

Did you never see the camel dressage at Olympia?

I fully intend to get my boisterous little Sec D out to a w&t test this year.

If you do, please take photos and let us know how you get on!

Adds...Not that I am in any way impying that Chloe resembles a camel in any shape or form...Stops Digging

 

[trendybraincell]

Yay go for it!!!!
My Welsh Cob, is working elementary at home, and competes at novice. I fully intend to take him to the highest level he can reasonably achieve!!

 

[CAH7]

Yes!! My hairy tree-trunk legged cob managed it! We tried to be as accurate, rhythmical and supple as possible, and even beat some flashy movers after a bit of hard work. Best of luck! - and enjoy it - a big smile goes a long way.

 

[Marshmallow29]

I can't believe all the replies I've got. Cobs obviously CAN do dressage

Your boy moves beautifully trendy.