braggin’ rights...dressage style By Ingrid Edisen
in the horse world as they do in all areas of life. I’ve seen my share among Central Texas dressage over the last quarter of a century.
Fads come and go
fad (but possibly dying out) is the use of the word “super.” You hear it all the time on dressage videos--especially among wom- en coaches. The word is said as a distinct two-syllable phrase and drawn out and emitted just after a student has done a task well--or at least taken a decent stab at it: “SUE---pawh!” Then there are the
dressage riders who had rid- den with a particular visiting European trainer mimicked his way of patting the horse--it was almost a Sieg Heil style pat. One extended one’s arm and locked the elbow and then using an almost robotic swing with a cupped hand, swatted at the horse’s neck just in front of the saddle and made two, count them--TWO--strong sounding claps to say “good boy.” Now how a horse would consider this a reward was beyond me. Simply the heavy sound of it, especially reverberating inside a covered arena, was an affront to the ears. But those who used this highly ritualized clap all knew that they had ridden with so-and-so and hoped that by us- ing their newfound reward they too would become better riders or at least subtly telegraph to others that they had ridden with “the European.” A relatively current
For a while many
various pieces of tack and riding clothes or saddles that come and go. Even the language used to identify these things makes the uninitiated person’s head swim. Only someone who KNOWS horses realizes when a bit is a bit and a fetlock is a fetlock. Fads run in and among friends and nowadays even span the globe with the advent of the Internet.
really gotten to me is the Fad-of- But the fad that has
thinking that a “big, really big” (BRB) horse is going to win you points, ribbons and maybe a trophy or two--or at least gar- ner shock and awe among your friends and detractors. Your office co-workers don’t “get it” when you talk about the size of your horse, but another dres- sage rider does. In fact, there is probably a small coterie of dres- sage BRB horse owners who convene periodically to lament about the size of the shoe that their BRB horse has to wear and
Bettem’s Blues (Gus) 2019 CR 403 - Marble Falls, TX 78654
Our horses are selling so fast this year that we ask you to please call us with your wish list so we can let you know if we get one that could suite you and your family.
Gus is a beautiful registered 11 year old Q H. He does both English and Western. He is also trained for dressage. He loves the trail, and will go anywhere you ask quietly and safely. This horse has some wonderful training and belonged to a friend that is no longer able to keep him. We recommend him for any rider. He is a big one. He stands 16 1 hands. His breeding is E Special and Sunny D bar.
the-Big-Horse. Lately I’ve had several other dressage aficiona- dos crow to me that their horse was “big, and I mean really big!” How big is big? Big in dressage terms means at least 17 hands high (or higher). An 18- hand horse would have withers cresting at six feet. Add another three to three-and-a-half feet for the neck and you’re getting an animal that is ten feet tall if it raises its neck all the way--taller than could be fit into a starter home with its nine-foot ceilings. You couldn’t even invite the horse in for dinner! The Europe- ans are probably laughing their heads off at us--breeding all these “big, really big” horses and selling them off at ransom level prices to some diminutive 98-pound woman who may be a good rider--or not. Later, this same elfin-sized woman drives this beast across the diagonal of a dressage court and brags that evening among friends over a much needed glass of wine how her mount really was flying in that extended trot. But think about it--all she’s got to stop the 1600-pound animal is a bit in his mouth and some training. What if he didn’t stop? What if he did like a friend’s of mine trick horse who simply kept going, into the parking lot with her brother still performing his trick riding full tilt and the crowd thinking all this was just part of the act? No wonder so few dressage queens venture out much past the arena with their jousting sized equine buddies, insurance aside. The fallacy in this
worth its salt would wear a measly 5-1/4 inch bit. No, the BRB horses are in it for the size- -they take the 5-1/2 inch bits, the six inchers. Their mouths are so wide (half a foot) that they could fit the entire leg of their tiny owners up to the thigh and not even think twice about it--just like in “Jaws.” No aver- age blanket wearers either, the BRB’s hover at the end of the clothes rack and oh and ah over the 84 and 87 inch blankets-- we’re talking almost 7-1/2 feet of body length here folks! And when the BRB’s rear or buck, watch out. It’s the equivalent of moving mountains--the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat all rolled into one animal. Sud- denly the body of the diminutive woman-owner may find itself sailing in a fifteen or twenty- foot arc, catapulted off of her BRB. BRB’s have heads the size of Ohio that alone weigh more than their owners. Some say their ears look like mule’s ears. Well, they’d have to-- it’s all a matter of proportion. When a BRB steps on you, complete with a steel rimmed shoe, you not only know it, your toes break instantly. Off you go to the emergency room only to be told there’s nothing much doctors can do about broken toes and better luck next time. And as the owners of
the expense of the custom sad- dles specially sized to accom- modate the sheer mass of the animal, the necessity to carry a mounting LADDER around with them or the dreary task of buying a trailer with minimum interior head room of seven- and-a-half feet complete with a truck powered heavily enough to pull their BRB’
s...for these are the problems of owners of BRB horses. No B R B h o r s e
Hours: Monday - Thursday 1pm - 6pm • Saturday 10am - 4pm Saddle Fittings by appointment.
Saddle Fitting & Reflocking Visit us at
www.CapstoneSaddlery.com
REPAIRS: English & Western 512-466-5301
Winter Build Sale! you build this Winter!
Frosty Specials Exceptional Savings when
24’x45’x10’ • $9,975 30’x54’x11’ • $12,725 42’x81’x13’ • $22,095 60’x117’x16’ • $46,345
BRB horses age and their hips give out (because they rode too many BRB’s), they may begin to seek out the kinder, gentler, smoother riding breeds--the Pasos, Walkers, Fox Trotters, etc. Stay tuned and watch.
Decatur, TX 940-626-8032
R 1010 •Commercial •Farm •Residential •Equine •Suburban •Metal Roofing
Includes Tax & Delivery! Building built on your level site! Crew travel required over 50 miles. Local building code modifications extra. Building pictured is not priced in ad. Price subject to change without notice.
• Professionally Engineered & Custom Designed • 3 Ply Non-Spliced Columns •
Lifetime Paint Warranty
• Builders Risk & Full Insurance • Featuring
Doors • Financing Available 1-800-373-5550
ClearyBuilding.com Gus Lucis Raisin Bran
Raisin is a nice App that is good to work around and a pleasure to ride. He is 9 years old and stands just under 15 hands. He is a big stocky horse that will carry any rider. We have found him to be very sensible, and has passed all the tests well. We especially like him quiet calm demeanor and feel that he will make a good family horse, a good trail riding horse and a nice pet.
Now here is a pretty one. Lucis is a quiet nice red Roan that is color full and very pretty. He has a great attitude and is very quiet and gentle. He is easy to catch, good to work around and so far has passed all his tests to date. We like this horse’s attitude and his willingness to please. He has a good handle, a good mind and is nice to work with on the ground. Lucis is 12 years old and stands 15 hands.
If the horse doesn’t suit your needs, we’ll trade out for another of our fine horses! Please check our web site to view them and review our buyer quarantee program.
E-mail:
Pat@tonkawood.com • Visit us at
www.Tonkawood.com Call Pat Dickey at 830-693-8253 Horse Megga Store R
BUILDING CORP. Serving our Clients since 1978
We have several more very nice horses in many age groups please visit our website or call for an appointment.
THE HORSE GAZETTE
Stockdale, Texas
• RBO Driftin Compadre 4084491- Belle is a double bred Driftwood mare she is NFQHA 83%, and Blue Roan to boot! She is solidly broke to ride and has served us well as a great broodmare, as soon as we wean her Anson filly, Nita will tune her back up and she will be ready to go. $2000
Dave, Susan or Nita Fuqua
830-996-1105 (Ranch) 210-218-4511 (Cell) Visit us at:
www.Rainbow1Ranch.com
• RBO RIVER RUN BLUE – 5225093 He is a 2009 Blue Roan Stallion that has two full brothers in Mexico standing stud at great ranches. His mother blessed us with some of the greatest ranch horses filled with expression on cows, grit to work all day long and that fabulous Blue color that they pass on. His mother was a red roan, dad a breathtaking blue roan. Very friendly. $1500
OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC...and much more than just a feed store! Take Lookout Road to the Retama Park Guard Station - 1 Retama Parkway, Selma, Texas
Storm Buster Winter Blankets! Only $49.95
Fresh Coastal Hay & Alfalfa • Farrier Supplies & Shoes We carry the BEST
shavings...not too small, not too large and not too dusty!
210-651-8228 Saturday: 8am - 12 Noon • Closed Sundays
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm Visit us at:
www.HorseGazette.com
18675 Marbach Lane San Antonio, TX 78266
• General Medicine • Surgery • Reproduction • Dentistry • Therapeutics
• Acupuncture • Endoscopy • Advanced Digital Radiography • High Digital Ultrasonography • Lab Services
Phone: 210-651-6202 Fax: 210-651-1557
Emergency Contact Day or Night: 210-651-6202
www.BrackenEquine.com 8 am - 6pm Monday-Friday Page 7
Saturday: By Appt. Only
Energy Miser package! building with our Enhance your
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24