Star in the making

[Lgd]

My friend's young horse is too good to be true (most of the time :D ). He is officially 4 now, although his real birthday is not until the end of May. She backed him at the end of last summer and turned him away for a couple of months before starting more regular work in late November.

It just shows that starting them correctly makes such a difference. From the word go he has offered himself on the bit in walk and within a couple of weeks was offering in trot once he sorted his balance out. He started cantering just over 3 weeks ago and last night just went on the bit and cantered a beautiful 20 metre circle that would earn an 8 in the dressage arena. He isn't even ridden every day because he is so young and such a big lad (16.1hh and still growing) she doesn't want to overstrain him.

And - he's not your bog-standard dressage horse type - his dam is Shire x Welsh Sec D and his sire is a TB. His half brother is doing well in dressage so it looks as though he is going to keep the family end up and follow in his hoofprints.

[Maria]

He sounds a real star. I love the way that cross-bred cobs or draught types really use their back end. That'll teach people not to judge by breeding or appearances.

People look at my gypsy cob and think plod and can't believe how well she uses her back end!

There was a gorgeous picture of a 6 y o traditional coloured cob for sale in yesterday's H&H. I'd love to buy her too. She looked stunning and seemed to be going in a good frame for a recently broken mare. Now that would be something - training her up to do dressage and taking her as far as she could go!

[Horsey Bird]

Hello
Just thought I'd add to this...I'm in the process of buying a 4yo ID/X (probalby cob in there somewhere as well) and the first time I saw her ridden I was amazed at how she tracks up. She just does it automatically, no questions asked. She looks lovely when she moves. Granted she's "head up in the air" but sh'es only a baby and she's got plenty of time to learn.

SHe's very green and hasnt ever "come on the bit" but I'm convinced that with proper education, she will eventually be able to do it. Mind you, I'm not buying her to show, I'm buying her for the pleasure of having a companion.

As you say, just goes to show.....

[judyl]

What a lucky horse to find such a caring owner. I suppose it depends on what you want your horse for, if it's just competing then you get out there as quickly as possible but if you want your horse to last, then you take the time in the beginning to lay the basics properly, then the sky's the limit! And he sounds as though he has the paces and presence to go far.

I saw a Shire x TB mare once and she definitely thought she was ALL thoroughbred! Very sharp and moved beautifully.

[ros]

I do wish people (other than New Riders, of course) would appreciate what "ordinary" horses can do.

My in-laws are a real snotty bunch - the types that think nothing other than a full TB is worth even looking at. They hold me in extremely low regard because I like my strong cob types, but although they all think they're the bee's knees because they used to do a bit of showing, none of the buggers would know a decent dressage test if they saw one.

Merlin is "Cob X TB" - don't know exactly what his parentage is but there's probably some Shire in there somewhere - and he can be as light as a feather, built to round naturally, and very forward going. I just love to see these horses that people think are plods when they really use themselves. ALL horses can look beautiful if they're allowed and encouraged to; all horses SHOULD be encouraged to be proud and beautiful. That's what this game is all about.