@atr Thank you, that answers my question exactly. I can dream of FEI with my TB but the chance of us making it is very slim. Then again we are only at the beginning so who knows? I can hope…
While atr explained very well, since you come from a h/j background, you can also think of it this way: almost any sound horse can go jump around a 2’ hunter course at a county level show. Not every horse can go jump around at Devon, for a myriad of reasons. Most horses fall somewhere in between on the spectrum.
For example, my TB can go put in a nice, steady, workmanlike test at Training, and gets decent scores, because we’re accurate and she has correct but not fancy gaits. But we’ve started to play a bit showing at 1st this year, and while she can do it, and actually lengthens nicely, she doesn’t have the flashy gaits and isn’t built to really sit and carry, so we have to work extra hard to get the balance really expected at that level. Even though she can do most of the individual movements for 2nd, and we play with them at home, even if she was in regular training with a good pro (she is not, because she’s an eq/hunter horse, really, we just dressage on the side and do a monthly lesson with a dressage coach my eq trainer brings in), because of the way she’s built, she’d probably top out at 2nd. And that’s OK, because what we’re doing in working on those skills still makes her stronger and more rideable, whatever her regular job is.
On the other hand, the horses that people like IW and CH are riding, are generally selected because they are built to have that sit and carry, because you absolutely need it at upper levels. They select for gaits, because you need more than just “correct” at the top, though at basic levels that’s perfectly fine. Obviously, every horse has it’s weak points, but the good riders know how to emphasize the skills the horse is strong at while riding more conservatively through movements that aren’t the horse’s strong suit.
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You have the advantage of youth on your side, and this isn’t your last horse, so solidify your skills, get the basics right with this horse, and see what the future brings to you. (And take any and every opportunity you get to hop on a schoolmaster and feel the more advanced movements.)
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Oh that’s a good idea atr! I’ll see if my trainer knows of any schoolmasters in our area we may be able to have a lesson on.
OP I wouldn’t say your chances are very slim. I am on a 2003 OTTB who raced quite hard, steeplechased, and was taken out of race training as a 6 year old… I then evented him (schooling Training, showing Novice), and he ended up having significant hind suspensory ligament injuries… we also had to chemically fuse his hocks.
I started the straight dressage thing 2 years ago (when he was 13), and we are learning together and are currently showing 3rd level. I’ve gotten one of my bronze medal scores for 3rd level in the 2 shows I have done at this level. I know his soundness issues are going to catch up to us before we can make it all the way up to the top but if I could have one wish it would be to do a PSG on this horse. It probably won’t happen and that is totally OK but nobody thought we would get this far. It can be done 
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Though OP on another thread you are discussing that your horse has some permanent damage to the lower back and some recurring stiffness. Good dressage done gently will help her for sure, but I expect that her physical limitations will kick in sooner rather than later once you start asking for collection.
Hi Everyone! I think that there was an excellent article on a very experienced, skilled breeder in the US, I think PA or NY, and she wrote about having to sell her horse in Europe as the US market didn’t appreciate her horse.
Does anyone remember that article? I’d love to see it again.
I just had a similar experience with a GP and another friend had the same situation with a PSG. We both came away with quick sales for fair prices in Germany.
@Scribbler that is hard to hear… we started dressage to help her back. it has much improved. i know we will never be very competitive. we’ve only just started the idea of collection and sitting. i hope that despite her limitations she can still perform to her highest abilities. a professional rider I am very good friends with (she rode my mare over the summer) who has a horse with worse issues than mine (SI injury (maintained with injections) and two bowed tendons (old and set)) made it to PSG. Then again her horse was an eventer but they did compete at the FEI levels separately.
I will continue to research top riders and learn! Hopefully when my next horse comes along I will have the skills
That is a great story. I’ve had struggles with my horse and we are finally seeing the rainbow after some scary feet problems and I’m starting to be hopeful about what his future might include. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not seeing it what you describe in this video. What makes you think the horse is hollow here and not using its back?
Regarding gaits, a judge can only assess what is happening in front of them in a ring. They can’t look at an Appaloosa and think, “This trot is probably an 8 for THIS horse” and then look at a warmblood and think, “This horse has a better trot than the Appy but it should be capable of more so it’s only a 7.”
You can only judge the horses in front of you against the standard of the FEI’s description of the gaits and movements. All things being equal, a horse with better quality gaits will score higher, but the key phrase is “all things being equal.” Lots or points to be gained and lost in self carriage and correct way of going, rhythm, relaxation and accuracy of test riding.
in the few western dressage shows I’ve scribed for they seem to be judged the exact same way - not to some subjective standard of what each horse’s potential might be. I’m confused by your friend’s moment about that. IMO gaits simply aren’t as big a factor or weighted as heavily in WD because the jog and lope are easier for more horses of differing abilities. Those gaits simply don’t highlight the differences between two horses.
