Hello:  My name is Mary and we are on Vancouver Island, BC.  I am in the process of converting my 6 yr old QH from Western Pleasure (only four months training) into a dressage horse.  He is a lovely boy but a tad lazy at times....I have only been riding dressage for two years so is a huge learning curve for us both.  My boy also loves to chase cows, do liberty work, hang out and investigates anybody's pockets if they are near him!

 

I am wondering if there is a form the show organizers have to fill out for the QH to gain points this year.....how would we find out which shows have already done so,   Am thrilled that EC and the AQHA/CQHA have decided to recognize the wonderful versatility of this breed.

 

Any info is appreciated

 

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Replies to This Discussion

HI Mary,

 

the show host has to apply to AQHA for approval. There is an approval fee, and the EC Dressage judge must also be an AQHA member in order for your scores to count.

 

AQHA has launched their new website & now I can't find the info you need right now. Email me at eponapr@gmail.com and I will put you in contact with the right people at AQHA to help you out!

 

Thanks for your message.

 

Laurie

Hi !  Wow ! if you are converting from western pleasure to dressage that IS a big learning curve- for you and your horse.  My quarter horse and I have been doing dressage for about 6 or 7 years now....working 2nd level - showing 1st.  I am liking the new dressage tests for 2011.  three instead of four, and look harder.  My dressage coach teaches classical dressage (always a big discussion about competitive dressage and classical  dressage (dressage in its truest form)).....it took us approx 2 years for my mare to begin using herself properly - she is a bit croup high, and it is difficult to transfer all that carrying power to the back and to devleop that impulsion that is required.....there is so much about dressage that just a few lines doesn't really give the right info, but it is definitely the hardest discipline I have EVER done, and also the most rewarding.  It takes between 10 - 12 years to educate and develop the proper dressage muscles in your horse for Grand Prix.  Dressage is really just training - patience is a virtue.  I have been working towards showing my mare in dressage for AQHA points since Lyn Palm first alluded to it being offered through the AQHA some years ago....much disappointment to see the stumbling blocks for Cdns....Laurie Haughton and the OQHA are working for us Canadians though, so hopefully by next year there will be a viable plan in place to earn points.  Part of the problem is having the show actually recognized/approved by AQHA, and the fact that the judges have to be AQHA carded.  In the dressage world, our judges work with warmbloods and thoroughbreds, so the need  to be carded AQHA isn't something they would consider a bonus.  I have had many judges raise their eyebrows when we perform a good test and they discover the horse is a quarter horse....oh well, welcome to the dressage world and go ! quarter horses !  go!    Good luck and I hope you enjoy the journey as have I.  Training Level is the most important (the building blocks being the most important - just like the foundation when building a house), and then make certain you find yourself a knowledgeable dressage rider/coach - one who follows the training pyramid.    Also, attend as many dressage clilnics as you can, either as a rider or as an auditor - lots of valuable info there. 

 

Thanks so much for replying.  I am lucky in that we have a great barn to board at.  I definately agree that dressage is very hard, little steps at a time.  Books are my friends and I am able to have instructors that encourage and know just how much to ask of both of us.  My boy is happy in his work - we showed training level last year and had some good moments - will do training level again this year (we are just starting more lateral work this past 6 months) as in no hurry and as you stated - the basics are SO important. I also like the new dressage tests for 2011. I have been lucky to be able to go to Portugal and ride some incredible schoolmasters and Georges Malleroni, who runs the school came over to the island twice last year for clinics.  He trained with Nuno Oliviera for 10 years, so I feel incredibly humbled by his expertise - a true classical master who does not show but all his schoolmasters are at a Grand Prix Level.  As an over 50 yr age rider my muscle memory often has menopausal lapses when riding but we still manage to have loads of fun.

Manage to audit some clinics with Albrecht Hedeimann when he comes to the island.  Find it very interesting with the different methodologies of trainers/instructors. 

 

I am not sure if many of the judges for the shows on Vancouver Island are AQHA carded so that will be a huge hurdle to overcome - agree with you there but will contact our show committees and see what they have to say.  Laurie is going to send me some information to give to them, so that will be helpful.

Hi Mary - sounds like you are certainly on the right track, and having fun too !!!!   I'm lucky too since one of my coaches has Walter  Zettl 3 times a year at the barn, and he's such a wonderful gentleman and knowledgeable horseman.  Don't you just love riding your quarter horse?   so much sense and willingness.  I could go on and on.   I remember recently watching a huge dressage show in our area - top name riders, etc.  I decided to take a break from the ring and took a stroll around.  While doing so I heard someone shouting "Look out !!!!  Look out !!!  Dressage horse coming through !"  I turned around to see a horse/rider coming through with 2 people leading it to the ring !!!!.    Boy !  they should think about a quarter horse to ride !!!   ha ha ha  
I am definately with you on the Quarter Horse and loving to ride him.....such wonderful minds about them. It always flips people out when we do a reining spin in the dressage saddle......or start to cut one of the dogs at the barn in the ring. I just enjoy my boy so much! Only one at the barn that throws a lariet around their horse, plan to start dragging some stuff of him this summer.Tease my coach that I am going to take him to the big fancy, schmancy Southlands Dressage show in Vancouver one day....and who knows? I have watched some of Walter Zettl's DVD's and you are very lucky to have the opportunity to train with him. I am off to Portugal for two weeks in February and looking forward to learning better positioning for my riding.  May even come home with a garrocha pole as love watching the Portugese working equitation and Doma Vaquera.  Cheers!

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