Could it be done?

Daffy Dilly

Daffy Dilly

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Dec 5, 2004
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Could you train a welsh cob classically and take it to, or near enough, grand prix?

I'm aware it would take years and a very good rider (which I have, and will become if it kills me) and obviously said pony would need to be properly trained from the offset.

Not sure they'd be the best breed to train classically, the stubborn streak could pose a problem, but the idea intrigues me. It'd also be two fingers to BYRDS and the like that think anybody above 16/18 should be on a horse. :p
 
No reason why not. You will probably come across some hurdles along the way if you haven't got a horse with a genetically modified trot ;) but there's no reason that you can't train all the movements for GP and compete at that level.

Have you seen the vids of the traditional coloured cob that I posted learning Spanish Walk and piaffe?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neqf86IYHZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXAbd5INaE0


They may not be the 'best' breed to train classically but what I do like about classical is that it's for ALL horses, not just the Iberians :D


Good luck, keep a blog and don't forget us when you're at the top :D
 
I believe any horse with the correct training can make it to medium level. And with perserverence and patience can go furthur. I was told my ID X TB wouldn't go higher than elementary and he is at PSG now so you can do anything if you belive in yourself and your horse
 
my boy use to be at this level, but he's the typical Warmblood! I don't see any reason why a Welsh Sec D couldn't go to this level. At our yard we have a shire x thingy? at PSG level as well.

Daffy where there is a will there is a way! And i'm determined to get to a high level at Dressage, even if it kills me too! :p
 
It's certainly not my intention with Daffy. For a start, when he does come sound I've no idea what sort of work he'll be up to, and although I'm sure he'll come right in a few months or years even, I know we won't make it to the top together. We're going to see how far we can get though, and he'll teach me lots along the way. Even if we don't make it in dressage, I plan to set about disputing the poor reputation of show riders, which was upheld in true must-win style today. :rolleyes:

I'm thinking more in terms of buying a foal and training it myself. Break to longlines at three, then spend a year or so working from the ground (on collection/lateral and the like) and then training from weight aids as soon as I'm in the saddle. None of this kick and it goes forwards stuff.

I know I could do it with a freisian, and it'd probably be easier (they're my second choice) but I do have a soft spot for the welshes.
 
Andrea Smith's, list 3 judge's mare Gingerly Does it had high proportion of welsh cob and got to advanced level, if not PSG. With correct training anything is possible but you may just not be in the 70% region. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the journey.
 
Yep - Andrea's mare is out of a section D by My Ramone, she did PSG and Inter I and was managing mid 60's but was struggling with some of the GP work and wasn't going to get any further competitively so she retired her earlier this year - she's now in foal to Rosario.
Andrea is now riding her homebred pony from the same family and doing very well with her - 70%+ at novice level and 3rd place at the BD breeding champs in the 5yo pony section.

Moire Calaghan took her Welsh D mare to Advanced level and only missed out on PSG because the mare became ill.

Forrest Fire - on the UK YR team is Arab x Sec D/Hanoverian.

Wendy Howes took her 13.2hh pony to Inter I level - he won the regionals and went to the nationals at PSG level. She is currently competing a registered Connemara pony at Advanced Medium.
 
I think almost any horse/pony can be trained to work at up to Medium level and a lot to Advanced Medium. Whether their work would be good enough to get great percentages is debatable, As Mehitabel says conformation could become an issue but you will have a lot of fun in the schooling!

The horse I have on loan is a typical example, Heavy weight, probably IDxShireXTB does all the movements up to Advanced Medium but lacks 'flair'..never going to set the world on fire but a great fun schoolmaster and fantastic for giving feel and training.
 
I'm a firm believer that ANY horse can do upper level dressage. You might not ever have the movement or upper level moves down well enough to score well at that level, but the horse can still do it (barring anything physical that holds them back). At my old barn we would train all kinds of horses, andalusians, TB's, arabs, appy's, cob types etc. etc. and plenty of horses that just didn't have the confirmation to ever go very high in dressage. One had a broken hip, some had long backs, a couple had stringhalt, some were just difficult to get into any kind of frame (the body just didn't allow it).

but, all of these horses could do piaffe, passage and flying changes. Some could even to levade and spanish walk.
 
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