Question here, I’m always seeing ads for “schoolmaster” lst level, 2nd level etc. I (maybe I’m out of touch, just ask Suzy 
but I always kinda thought that it meant upper level angel willing to put up with your god awful mistakes without killing you. Are they just referring to a well behaved horse that won’t try to kill you??? I’m soooo confused. Or is this just some little gink used in trying to sell the horse?
Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!!
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Liz Steacie
Porcupine Hill Dressage
Maitland, Ontario
I have usually interpreted the term “schoolmaster” to mean a horse that is very well trained, and easy enough to ride that you will learn how to perform the movements correctly.
What I do NOT necessarily expect in a horse that is advertised as a schoolmaster is “brilliance” or “gorgeous gaits” or “pretty”. He might not be capable of getting a very good score on “gaits” but is capable of getting a very good score in “submission” and “impulsion”. A schoolmaster might also have some soundness issues that limit his ability to show at the highest level of his training. I would also expect a schoolmaster to have a little age on him.
In other words, a “First level schoolmaster” might not have a brilliant enough lengthening to beat a “fancy warmblood” that was BORN with an extravagant extended trot. But you will learn more about how to CREATE a lengthening with him than you would with the other horse.
Didn’t we just call them solid 1st level horse, very patient, good amateur horse at some point in time? I, too would expect a schoolmaster to know the upper levels, that is why he would be a master. 
It is sounding alot like that horrors H/J world. You know Pre-children’s, Pre-adults, and Pre-baby green. I believe that division is in utero. 
Or my soon to be seen favorite Sub-terranean X’s. They just mark with flags the location of the poles buried 18" underground. 
The lower level schoolmaster label sounds like a marketing ploy to me.
“The older I get, the better I used to be, but who the heck cares!”
I know a couple lower level schoolmasters, once of which taught me 2nd and part of 3rd level. He’s a lovely Morgan who knows his job very well…knows the movements and will give them to you only when you ask correctly. He’s kind, willing, and very educated in his job. He’s not a horse who is flashy or capable of the huge gaits and he has his quirks, especially as you reach the edge of his knowledge. He’s taught many, many people to ride lower level dressage and is truly a “schoolmaster”…a professor.
My horse, on the other hand, is not a schoolmaster, though she can do 2nd level. She doesn’t have the temperment of a professor…she’s more the princess variety. Suited to an amateur, yes…suited to teach lots of people, no way! There is a huge distinction between a 2nd level horse and a 2nd level schoolmaster, to my thinking.
Sandra
Question here, I’m always seeing ads for “schoolmaster” lst level, 2nd level etc. I (maybe I’m out of touch, just ask Suzy but I always kinda thought that it meant upper level angel willing to put up with your god awful mistakes without killing you. Are they just referring to a well behaved horse that won’t try to kill you??? I’m soooo confused. Or is this just some little gink used in trying to sell the horse?
Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!!
I think that a horse that knows his job and can help you learn from them…a horse that’s Been there, done that type!!! 
a first level horse can definatley know his job…he just might not be as fancy as an upperlevel dressage horse…i guess that’s what I am trying to say!!!
Barb
Gwen, that makes sense. I guess I was always used to combing the ads for upper level school masters when I was learning. I just started looking at ads lately, one of my boys is starting to have suspensory issues, double rats! He is such a doll. I just don’t have what it takes to train a horse myself. I can ride fairly well, but the actual training is best (for me anyway) left to an honest to goodness trainer. Therefore a youngin’ won’t work for me. I checked out a cute little hannovarian last week, sweet as a bug, a bit small for me 16.2 but very quiet. I got some major long legs! He needed to be pushed to go forward but I’m sure that can be fixed with the right rider. Personally I’m lazy and don’t want to work that hard!LOL!
Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!!
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