My mare is a walker out of a BNT barn known for world champion big lick horses…uhm, needless to say…they would be appalled that she is not showing any talent for a true gait, but step paces. She’s been in dressage training for the past year and is progressing well, but unfortunately because she step paces, she won’t ever be able to show at a TWH dressage show.
I don’t know WHERE she will ever fit in. She is learning to turn on her haunches and on the forehand, does lateral work passably, has learned finally how to walk straight - halt…most of the time square, sometimes does that gaited halt (one leg back). So we are making progress and I had hoped to show her in the gaited classes for dressage as she really is a nice horse…but…since she step paces instead of doing a running walk, I guess that is moot and we will continue training in dressage…just because it makes her so much nicer to ride.
No she wouldn’t ever get to a high level - just not built for it, but I really wanted to show her at the lower levels. So I’m sad and disappointed, but she is still the only horse I enjoy riding and that has to be good enough for now. (can’t do the trotters anymore, my back just will not take that).
Good luck and continue on with training, if your horse can do the dog walk and running walk, and canter when necessary…and collect…etc. you can do the walking horse dressage tests.
I am going to Strongly Encourage you to consider a clinic with Larry Whitesell. He’ll be at Gillsville, GA over Labor Day. 