What do you think about...

[CinderellaDoesDressage]

Arabians in dressage?

My horse (that *hopefully* will be going into professinal training soon) is a 16hh arabian. Well needless to say none of my friends like arabians and they tell me that he will not make it in dressage (they ride TBs, QHs, Paints, and a few have warmbloods).

I will not lie I do DREAM about making it big on my arab, but that is a while away. We both still need training and instruction. But as for know we will just ride/compete in lower levels/local shows and maybe a few breed shows.

So what is your take on this subject?

[Jazzy Lady]

I sold my old 15.2 hh Egyptian Arab when he didn't want to jump. He loves the dressage ring and loves showing off. He's currently showing 3rd level national, schooling to move up to 4th with their eye on PSG.

It totally depends on the horse, but those that say a horse cannot do something based on what breed they are are generally very ignorant.

[exvet]

I earned my bronze on one of our Arabians. He gave my daughter her beginning in the recognized shows before he died unexpectedly. We have a crabbet bred mare now who is one of the nicest movers on the place. She definitely turns heads at the shows (those are open, recognized dressage shows). I have another arabian who isn't a dressage horse but we didn't purchase him for THAT purpose. It really depends on the individual, how well they move and their work ethic imo.

[Spectrum]

My main question is.... WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU FIND A 16.0h ARABIAN???

:D

LOL.

Spectrum.

[CinderellaDoesDressage]

He likes dressage. I 'started' him under-saddle using dressage techniques. He has an amazing trot. Very soft and floaty. You could sit at the trot all day long!

[CinderellaDoesDressage]

My main question is.... WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU FIND A 16.0h ARABIAN???

:D

LOL.

Spectrum.

In Ocala, Fl. He is a French arabain. *This is so not nice to say, but....* He is a race-track reject. Never made it to the track. French arabs are like the TBs of the arabains. He is four-years old.

ETA: I didn't pay a dime for him either!

[InsideLeg2OutsideRein]

Totally depends on the individual horse. It's obviously not what they're bred for, but that doesn't mean that certain individuals can't enjoy it and be good at it. There is a lovely little chestnut Arabian mare at a barn where I used to ride that I immediately -- upon my first ride on her -- fell in love with, she's solid 2nd level (shown by trainer), and there was also a 3rd level Arab at the same place. That said, the little Arab mare at the barn where I currently board is cute as a button, and *WHEN* she decides to put her nose down and take a contact looks quite nice, but she clearly has no nerve for dressage regardless of the fact that her conformation is suitable for it.

[papony]

Brooke Doss was reserve champion at 2nd level at last year's BLM Finals on an arabian. He is a really cool horse. I think there was also an arabian competing in Grand Prix at the same show. He had quite the piaffe and passage!

If some one looks down their nose at you based soley on breed, just remember that someone else's opinion of you does not have to become your reality. Just take it one foot fall at a time and see where it goes! Good luck!

[merrygoround]

I ride the horse, not his breed.

Breeds "per se" get stylized. So sometimes an atypical of the "ideal" of the moment turns into a real horse.

Go for it!

[Roan]

I say 'go for it', too. IMO they have a better set neck than any cow type horse and don't have to fight being built downhill.

Just my 2 cents

Eileen

[STF]

Ssshssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhsssshhh, but I have been on a slient hunt for a Arabian sporthorse myself. I cant find what Im looking for yet, but when I do....... :lol:

There are some really nice arabians out there that could do very well in the dressage ring with the right training. I will have one, one day..... just cant find the one I want yet.

[pintopiaffe]

We are knocking on the door of 3rd, and while I've played at some of the fun stuff, this is the first horse I've brought along from scratch up through the levels MYSELF. If the freaking economy hadn't tanked, we'd be showing 2nd this summer with a 3rd debut (schooling, I'm sure) in the fall. My guy is a 14.3h 15/16ths RPSI Approved Arabian.

He is the kindest, most honest horse I've ever met. His back is a leetle bit too short to be a really easy ride. He's also a stallion, which means on occasion his brain is pickled in testosterone, which reflects as tight in the jaw & poll. :uhoh: :lol: When he is through though, he feels 17h tall and I can sit that BIG trot all day. My teacher loves him. My teacher of the Iberian persuasion. My horse makes my teacher smile. :yes:

My others range from 1/2 Arab to 5/8 Arab. I have a new APHA mare in and while she has a fabulous temperament, she reminds me how much I take for granted working with Arab crossbreds. Or, at the least, my line of them. (they are all closely related, Granddam/dam, sire, siblings etc.) Mine are born halter broken and leading, and take to training as a treat rather than a chore.

There used to be some lovely articles that Everglade Arabians had posted on why the Arabian is a terrific Amateur mount. Size, brains, ease of conditioning & keeping... etc.

I have a passion for making it to PSG with my guy. Not for the least of which because I am poor, and I ride a spotty Ayerab. We dont' have the right tack or the right teacher, we live on the edge of nowhere, and we both agree that special students are truly the ones who give the best hugs... ;)

I will continue to cross Arabian blood with both WB and Iberian, then back to Arab. I believe the GOOD ONES are eminently suitable to the blue collar amateur.

[CinderellaDoesDressage]

Well atleast I feel better now. I got some hope in my bones now!

Sometimes I wonder why I chose my friends... Than can be horrible people sometimes. One told me just because I bought a dressage saddle does not mean I ride dressage... Well duh! I knew that... <smacks forehead> But then again most of them say it because they can afford to buy the best horses/tack/equipment/facilities. <sighs> Must be nice.

[normandy_shores]

I used to ride 2 arabs, both trained in dressage and older. Very loyal, very obedient. I hope to one day owna quality one or a cross. Nothing wrong with arabs!

[cheryl ann]

Arabians in dressage?

My horse (that *hopefully* will be going into professinal training soon) is a 16hh arabian. Well needless to say none of my friends like arabians and they tell me that he will not make it in dressage (they ride TBs, QHs, Paints, and a few have warmbloods).

I will not lie I do DREAM about making it big on my arab, but that is a while away. We both still need training and instruction. But as for know we will just ride/compete in lower levels/local shows and maybe a few breed shows.

So what is your take on this subject?

Well, my take is that your 'friends' aren't really your friends now, are they?

What makes them think they will make it in dressage, either? You're horse is in reality no different from theirs. Horses are horses, they all basically move the same, just some of them can be trained to make those moves on command, some only do them at liberty.

Just keep on riding. You're doing fine.

[arnika]

CDD, if you found your arab in Ocala, have you spoken to or know of Greta Wrigley? She has shown arabs for many years in dressage here and I've watched her show GP on several. They may have come from Everglades Arabians (Micanopy area) in the beginning but I don't think they are still in business now.

Last I heard though, Greta still trains and shows here and may have some tips for you about training an arab to higher levels. She was doing regular lessons and clinics in Marion and Lake counties. You might check through STRIDE or Arredondo dressage clubs.

Best of luck to you. I like arabs.

[afastarabian]

LOTS of people ride Arabians in Dressage, including myself. I compete at rated shows and at all-breed shows against the WBs. I often place and sometimes win. My horses move correctly for Dressage and learn fast. I am showing first level and schooling second level.

I also show at Arabian shows where we have 2-3 Dressage courts going at once and they are busy all day long for two days. Lots of Arabians doing Dressage and doing it well. As I like to say, my horses do as well as I ride them.

There are Arabians in the upper levels. Check out OKW Entrigue. He does FEI Dressage at open shows and is very successful. I have seen Arabians on the covers of Dressage magazines.

It may be time to find new friends. Yours don't sound nice.

Your horse sounds like a good candidate. If you like him, he is well worth trying. He sounds like my kind of horse!

[samdolly]

Ignore those who make the comments about Arabians can't do dressage. I have seen many arabians in the dressage arena. As a matter of fact-one of my friends has a 16.0 arabian gelding who I think would rock in dressage. She also sold his father who I believe is now doing 4th level and the trainer says she has never had a smarter or intelligent horse to work with! SO GO FOR IT!:)