Really, Carrie? You’ve seen GP riders in every region in the U.S.? You’ve been to dozens of GP competitions all over the world? You’ve watched every GP ride at AGDF? I think prevalent is a strong word. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but I think you are painting with a very broad brush.
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LOL…spotON~. i was having a sideline discussion about this very thing and cited that comment as an example. Good for you for standing up for yourself.
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What a LOVELY ride!!!
I agree. Range of motion is limited in QHs. BUT, the western trainer out of the barn owns a QH that is an easy ride for Western Dressage - he’ll debut at the upper levels (roughly third). BUT, he has an inbred Hancock gelding that has little suspension but can sit for DAYS. Holy cow, what presence, energy and ability to sit. If I was a millionaire and didn’t have to work, I’d buy this horse. He’s very sensitive, and would likely make a good dressage horse. The owner agrees.
Dressage horses are out there in the QH world. I knew a woman who showed her QH to GP successfully, and another who took her QH/Friesian to GP (odd cross). The QH was’t “fancy” but correct. The QH/Friesian was “fancier” in the movement but also correct. Both beat WBs.
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Yes, I have one. He passes for TB or a German Riding Pony cross. He has a great temperament and lovely movement. Best of all, his gaits are easy to ride and that’s a plus at my age.
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Of course. Just like there are GP QHs, there are MANY WBs that are not correct/ etc etc. As someone who rides an “alternate” breed (Iberians…) I know it is possible. I’m assuming you mean debut in WD - altho 3rd isnt “upper level” in most opinions… Frankly I love WD for any horse- altho some of the tests are so packed with movements!!! )
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How is she bred?
Lovely! She reminds me of my first horse, a Qh x TB. What is her breeding?
Thanks, she’s AQHA, but admittedly has a lot of TB. Running bred.
She is actually one of those famous (or infamous) Hancock horses. 
On the bottom side that is.
She looked nothing like one though, she had a pretty head, delicate legs and movement to die for. Her shoulder was a mile long. That shoulder came from her sire, who got it from his sire. I could recognize those horses on the track in an instant without knowing who they were.
She had 3 full siblings who were all fabulous horses. I wish I could find something like her these days.
She was not the easiest ride. One of the first shows I went to the judge came over after the class and told me what a wonderful horse I would have if I ever got her broke. Airs above the ground were her specialty! 
I was going to have a trainer work with her at one point. He got on her to take a test ride. I told him you could not ride her with a crop and he said “nonsense, you can ride any horse with a crop” and proceeded to take her for a spin. Made it once around the arena, dropped the crop and proclaimed she could not be ridden with a crop. He loved her though. Offered me big bucks to buy her and as part of the deal, I could show her through 3rd level and he would take over after that. I turned him down. A few years later she disarticulated her fetlock in a freak pasture accident. So I never got to see her full potential. She taught me a lot though. I remember the first time I felt her extend. I just asked for some lengthening down the long wall. I was posting even with the arena posts. I felt her back end drop down what felt like 6 inches and we were posting to 1 1/2 posts with rhythm totally unchanged (actually felt slower). I know, that’s the way it is supposed to feel, but it was a first for me. She was just a natural at it.
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This guy’s debut will be in WD, but his daughter took lessons with working students of a very great dressage trainer in the area. Plus the cowboy takes this horse to the previous trainer’s mother, who is a GP rider/trainer and founding member of USDF. The cowboy might be learning to ride half-pass, but the horse can do it easily under a dressage rider. The horse has flying changes and all of the footwork for dressage third level. I’ve see this horse go often for years since he came as a youngster and I think in 1-2 months of training with a good dressage trainer, he’s clean up at third and school fourth at a straight dressage show. This horse is built well and just says “yes” to whatever is asked of him.
Personally, I consider third and fourth as “upper level” and above that as “FEI level”. That might help you interpret what I mean better!
The Hancock horse? Drooooooooool. I consider him sort of on par with the Iberians. Extended gaits would be work. But they can sit for DAYS! This Hancock horse is not an easy ride because he is sensitive, but that sensitivity makes him a great horse for an experienced dressage rider. And man, he can sit!! Like I said, if I had lots of money and no day job…
I told the cowboy that I’d love to ride him in dressage tack at some point to see what he can do. I’d actually love to ride his other horse in dressage tack at some point to see what he can do.
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Third and fourth is not FEI or upper level but if it makes you feel better rock on!
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Like I said, I define “upper level” as third and fourth" and above that as “FEI.” What about this do you not agree with? Can you provide a constructive comment? That is MY definition of upper level versus FEI.
Please, comment on my definitions. They don’t make me “feel better”.
Rock on! with your interesting reply.
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You can have your own interpretation of “upper level”, but using it for 3-4 will confuse many dressage-wise folks… “standard” definition of “Upper level” is PSG and above…
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Unless we are speaking about ponies or young riders, PSG and above. So not you and Sir Spooks a Lot.
And even then the young riders were schooling I 1
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Great! In my dressage world for my entire adult life, upper level was separate from FEI. How strange you want to correct me for that! But whatever, you believe what you believe “upper level” is and I believe what I believe what “upper level” is. Lets agree to disagree. I’ve trained with GP riders, did clinics with GP riders/trainers and judges here and from Germany. Please don’t say you “know” what “upper level” means in dressage.
Sorry but how was upper level separated from FEI?
Oh Please. Like SirSpooksAlot is the only horse I’ve ever ridden, trained, did lessons and clinics on, and showed. This seems to point to your limitations.
Young riders have specific tests that they show. Ummm, are you knowledgeable about the YR program? No, they are not all showing at I1 except for the ones who show at I1.
What is the point you are trying to make?
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Can you think at all about what I posted?
“Upper levels” are the higher levels in dressage that are not FEI levels. Most dressage riders/trainers agree in my experience.
What about that do you not get? Do you not see the difference between Fourth and PSG?
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That showing PSG and schooling I1 is upper level to me. Third and fourth isn’t upper level. I don’t care if you’re talking FEI CDI or schooling show I don’t consider anything below PSG upper level.
But you think what you think and rock on. Riding is supposed to be fun at the end of the day.
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Great, it isn’t to you. It is to me and my dressage world. I really don’t care if you disagree.
So sad you are so fixed in your thinking that you can’t accept other thinking.
Rock on with your closed mindset. Just move on from this post. I defined what I meant and you argue with me. How bizarre. My meaning isn’t the same as yours and I have ridden for decades with great trainers, clinicians and “upper level” and FEI judges. t the end of the day, I’ll listen to your response and respond to your response, but I really don’t care much about your response. I care about the definitions of the professionals I have worked with/work with.
So bizarre that you can’t admit your definition is different that other dressage peoples’ definition. Like your definition is the accepted definition in the sport. I think you have a lot to learn.
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