Methinks someone (soloudinhere) got up on the wrong side of the bed today and then put her crankypants on. This is the second thread I’ve visited today in which she’s offered up several snippy replies. Not characteristic of this particular poster, not that I remember in any way that stands out.
[QUOTE=Mara;7655555]
Methinks someone (soloudinhere) got up on the wrong side of the bed today and then put her crankypants on. This is the second thread I’ve visited today in which she’s offered up several snippy replies. Not characteristic of this particular poster, not that I remember in any way that stands out.[/QUOTE]
just not sure why it’s necessary to say really mean things about the top eq riders in a hunter/jumper thread where everyone is clearly a fan of the top eq riders.
[QUOTE=meupatdoes;7655536]
First Level tests include walk trot canter, leg yields, lengthenings, a halt from the trot with no walk steps, picking up the trot again with no walk steps, a stretchy circle, and in Test 3, some counter canter.[/QUOTE]
Duly noted, thanks! Always appreciate learning about other disciplines 
i’m not trying to say anything negative about anyone. at all. but it would be a bit ironic if caitlin boyle won on her “old” mount over victoria colvin after betsee parker bought caitlin boyle’s horse because she was mad caitlin boyle beat victoria colvin at devon. just saying.
Beautiful ride for Caitlin!!!
Good for Tori. Not that I think she has anything to prove to anybody talent/riding-wise-- but it must feel nice to have a horse like Clearway to choose from. She’s always seemed to me to be thisclose to the big big big eq prizes and it’s not for lack of ability or work. So maybe having a really fabulous horse among her options will give her that little extra boost. And if Betsee wants to spend $$$ on some eq horses for Tori instead of some ponies or hunters-- more power to her-- it’s her money.
[QUOTE=Mara;7655450]
If I’m not mistaken Chelsea still owns Logan and is supporting him in his retirement. The Mosses bought him after Brianne’s Maclay year and leased him out once Chelsea aged out.
Betsee likes to support up and coming young riders whose families might not have the means to buy them a string of ponies/horses. I think it’s fantastic - she’s got a top pony jock right now (name is on the tip of my tongue but I’m sure someone will post it), and maybe someday she’ll take over the junior hunter rides on Way Cool, Ovation, et al and do the eq on Clearway.
I am sure Caitlin was disappointed, but that is the game. Just about everything is for sale at the right price and unless you have the kind of money that the Goutals, Kesslers, Farishes, Keenans, etc. have, this will not be the first time a favorite mount is sold on. It happens, and it will happen to Tori once she’s a pro, no doubt. There are not many pros in the top ranks who could afford to compete as amateurs at that same level.[/QUOTE]
I believe you’re referring to Emma Kurtz, who is also in the top 12 for the Hunterdon Cup today
I’m here watching in person and Caitlin had 2 BEAUTIFUL rounds, that hand gallop at end of round 2 was awesome.
We were discussing earlier that Tori rides differently in eq classes compared to hunter classes. She is beautiful to watch in both, and I think it’s cool to see how much control she has over her body and position to be able to make slight changes to move into the eq ring
[QUOTE=vxf111;7655587]
Good for Tori. Not that I think she has anything to prove to anybody talent/riding-wise-- but it must feel nice to have a horse like Clearway to choose from. She’s always seemed to me to be thisclose to the big big big eq prizes and it’s not for lack of ability or work. So maybe having a really fabulous horse among her options will give her that little extra boost. And if Betsee wants to spend $$$ on some eq horses for Tori instead of some ponies or hunters-- more power to her-- it’s her money.[/QUOTE]
agreed!!
Totally an aside, but I hope that Betsee Parker continues to support Tori as she (presumably) moves up to international show jumping in the future. She would be a wonderful supporter of American efforts in that arena.
[QUOTE=BaysofourLives;7655589]
I believe you’re referring to Emma Kurtz, who is also in the top 12 for the Hunterdon Cup today
I’m here watching in person and Caitlin had 2 BEAUTIFUL rounds, that hand gallop at end of round 2 was awesome.
We were discussing earlier that Tori rides differently in eq classes compared to hunter classes. She is beautiful to watch in both, and I think it’s cool to see how much control she has over her body and position to be able to make slight changes to move into the eq ring[/QUOTE]
So how bad was Tori’s trot fence? The judges seemed to really penalize her for it and it didn’t seem like it was that bad on the feed.
[QUOTE=BAC;7655243]
$1 million would be my guess, I doubt Andre would let him go for less than that. If the reason that BP bought Clearway was because she is upset Tori was not eq champion, that is kind of sad. Tori is a great rider, but she is not a pretty rider, not a stylist at all, but she still continues to do well in the eq classes and will be a contender with or without Clearway. And don’t forget that Clearway had another great junior on him when he won all those finals, Lillie Keenan had a lot to do with those wins.
Does Caitlin Boyle ride with Andre? If so, I am sure he will find her another suitable horse. It is too bad, but unfortunately if you don’t have the financial backing, losing the ride is always a possibility.[/QUOTE]
That is not the reason that Betsee bought him. She had wanted to buy him for a long time, but the time wasn’t right. It was able to be worked out after Devon.
I would suppose the difference with the dressage vs. jumping issue would be that jumping is not necessary to master dressage/flatwork. HOWEVER, proper flatwork is INHERENTLY TIED TO GOOD JUMPING! Every thread that is posted about “how do I become a better jumper rider blah blah” includes answers (like many supershorty has provided) about flatwork, flatwork, flatwork.
So, in a way, jumpers (and equitators) need to have a solid base on the flat. However, dressage riders really have no need for jumping. So it’s apples and oranges to have that fight really.
I was disappointed in the flat phase. Although there are some AMAZING riders out there who have truly mastered the art of equitating, there are a lot who do tend to get “perched” and statuesque.
And although Lillie is an amazing rider, she does tend to look beautiful on anything even if she’s out of correct form (I think I’ve only seen it twice!) because she’s leggy, blonde, and skinny. Kudos to her. Tori, who is not as leggy, skinny, and well not blonde ;), might receive a harsher penalty because her mistakes don’t look “as perfect”.
There’s no reason to criticize Lillie for looking the way she does. However, even the Hunt Seat Equitation mentions being skinny and leggy as a “plus”. I think I even remember a few lines about how that physique “looks so much better on a mount”. I don’t quite remember!
end of the day, there are some great, great riders coming up through the ranks that can fully answer the questions they’re being asked in the tests. And, like any division, there are some that come a little underprepared for the day.
BUT, is it really important for an Equitation rider to have a perfect half pass? No. It’s a useful tool, but it isn’t necessary. If you can supple your horse without a half pass, which, let’s admit it, most people who don’t ride dressage do, then it’s not really important. If you’ve got one that will only become supple with half pass, then you better learn it.
As for tall, skinny, blonds…they have an advantage in many, many areas…not just riding. 
Shame for those of us that don’t fit that bill. I sat with a judge who did express his appreciation for the tall skinny blondes…but he also appreciated good riding. (Before anyone gets upset, he wasn’t judging at the time. We all have types…)
Perfectly? Heck, no! But know what one is and be able to somewhat perform one? Yes, I do think that. And no, I’m not from the old days of yore. I’m in my twenties and lovin’ it.
Wait. If I dye my hair blonde, will I look way better on a horse? Because if so, I’m on it!
[QUOTE=fourfAlter;7655382]
Loredo, owned by someone out of Missouri[/QUOTE]
Loredo is owned by Micaela Kennedy of Chesterfield Missouri. My daughter had the honor of riding with Micaela for three years as a catch rider.
[QUOTE=BaysofourLives;7655589]
I believe you’re referring to Emma Kurtz, who is also in the top 12 for the Hunterdon Cup today
I’m here watching in person and Caitlin had 2 BEAUTIFUL rounds, that hand gallop at end of round 2 was awesome.
We were discussing earlier that Tori rides differently in eq classes compared to hunter classes. She is beautiful to watch in both, and I think it’s cool to see how much control she has over her body and position to be able to make slight changes to move into the eq ring[/QUOTE]
For those people who keep putting Emma Kurtz name with BP. She was fired two years ago. She always blames the horse. BP was over it
Everyone complaining about class yesterday. Are people for real. GET A LIFE
[QUOTE=soloudinhere;7655480]
Yes, first level tests include canter work and lateral work, including the leg yields that a whole bunch of riders blew in the flat phase.[/QUOTE]
Having done both, I would say that most top big eq riders can ride circles around most first level dressage riders. First level dressage is essentially basic WTC. When the half pass was called for in the test, I would guess that most simply did not know what was being asked for; it’s not something that is routinely used in the hunter or eq rings. However, if someone had said, bend your horse in the direction of movement and send him off your leg, there is no doubt in my mind that every one of those riders could have executed it well. In that respect, IMO it was a stupid thing to test.
Having switched to dressage a couple of years ago, I have seen any number of first level tests… and they mostly represent the skill equivalent of a 2’3" course.
Obviously you can have someone who rides a wonderful, polished 2’3" course and someone who looks like they are fortunate to have gotten around, and the same is true for dressage tests. You can have pros riding first level tests to bring along a green horse, for example, just as you might see a pro taking a nice horse around the baby greens very competently. But in terms of the requirements - prompt WTC transitions, some basic lateral work to show the horse understands the concept of moving away from the leg - it is not a high level endeavor. My adult hunter/eq horse-turned-dressage-horse could do a credible first level test before we even started dressage training, and I’m certainly not particularly talented.
My dressage buddies always gasp when I jump him around at home for fun; they can no more imagine cantering around a 3’ course than they could fly to the moon. And that includes riders showing at PSG and I-1. They are just different disciplines and one is not better than the other.
[QUOTE=get a life;7656191]
For those people who keep putting Emma Kurtz name with BP. She was fired two years ago. She always blames the horse. BP was over it
Everyone complaining about class yesterday. Are people for real. GET A LIFE[/QUOTE]
I think you’re on the wrong board, especially judging by your posting history.
I think you mean to be posting on http://www.horseshowdiva.com/
This little digression about the dressage level most closely equivalent to the Big Eq is really interesting.
I’ve been told that in the European universe a jumper would be expected to “know the moves” through our 3rd level, as part of the horse’s basic preparation–and that that would also be seen as a fundamental standard of preparation for the jumper rider. That might be a better parallel?
