Like figure skating performance horse sports are made up of many different events that require specific skills. The successful completion of these specific skills requires a solid basic skill foundation. Remember that old adage…don’t run before you walk? Competitors need to master basic skills. Unlike figure skating there were no competitions for performance horses based on those basics. If you wanted to participate in performance horse events you had to have a complete skill set. And what beginner starts with a complete skill set? Just imagine a young skater competing at their very first skating competition being asked to perform double toe loops and death spirals just like their Olympic heroes perform. How discouraging would that be?.

Watch the slide show here to learn more about IPHDA and PHD