I was about to say and Duckz beat me: watch the Ariat Medal Finals that are coming up so you can see what the Adult Eq horses/riders look like. IMHO that’s the only legit Adult Eq out there (the finals… the classes at horse shows are hit or miss). A lot of states have their own Adult Eq Finals but really it’s just whoever can get around without missing and maybe the top 3 or 4 are judged on their actual equitation. The Ariat finals, however, are awesome to watch. The courses are tough, the riders are excellent and it’s really competitive. At least I think so. I watched every round at 2013 and was beyond impressed.
I don’t think we actually have the Ariat medals up here?? We DO have a regional medal, and a Mini-Medal open to ammies (not just the kids).
My trainer, who is actually a H/J coach with a background in dressage and dabbles in eventing, is all over the plan. Unfortunately I made the mistake of asking her about it the day she’d been watching all the Big Eq kids go and she’s, well, super crazy all over the plan.
This is gonna hurt. :lol:
[QUOTE=Duckz;7771339]
Here is a video of the 2013 Ariat Adult Medal finals, to give you an idea of what an adult eq horse looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeiNCG7JYhc[/QUOTE]
Thanks! I took a quick look (really, I should be working), and my mare moves a LOT like some of those horses. Similar canter even.
Now just to learn to ride like that… my “eq” gets the job done, but definitely needs significant polish before we attempt this in public…
One with a bit of a higher frame would be ideal as an eq horse. Your girl looks like it should be an easy transition. I for one like one with a higher head as long as it is not in the clouds…makes a more up hill canter in my opinion and easier on the tighter turns and questions an eq course could contain…
That face though. :love-struck::love-struck::love-struck::love-struck::love-struck:
There is a small chance we get mobbed by little girls at shows… it doesn’t hurt that she has a heart on her forehead!
And MHF… Are you suggesting we should avoid this look from a couple of years ago…? :winkgrin: (we were still trotting around the outside of the dressage ring at that point… I think I’m actually saying to my trainer “well THIS is going to be awesome”). Pony is a wee bit more on the job these days…
What a looker. She has presence just in the picture. If she is consistent in and accepting of the contact through extensions and collections of stride at each gait, and working consistently from behind, her head carriage will be less of an issue. Best of luck!
I disagree that Ariat is the only legit Adult finals. The New England Championships is very high quality, as is the M&S. And I might add that the MAEF Adult championship is a great class, if I do say so myself LOL
You’ll have to keep us posted on your adult eq ventures! You two look like you’ll make a great eq team 
As a funny side note, I was a jumper who got the only horse my family was willing to afford as a teenager and she turned out to be a fabulous hunter, so I made the switch. A few years later I was given her nephew who turned out to be a fabulous eq horse, but I just couldn’t make that switch because my eq leaves much to be desired. Now he’s a junior eq horse kicking butt in VA and I lucked into a new mare who is a great hunter… Now I’m left wondering if I’ll ever go back to the jumper ring after my 13 year hiatus lol.
