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PRE IN DRESSAGE
Every breed has its critics but as an
amateur dressage rider, I find working with the PRE a
sheer pleasure. As with any horse, trained correctly, a
PRE is just as capable of reaching the higher echelons
of dressage as any other breed.
It is my observation over the years that
most amateur competitors prefer a horse they can train
and be safe on, rather than a flashy mover that tries to
ditch them at every opportunity…!
As quoted by a leading Spanish dressage
rider, “the Spanish horse has the looks of a lion, but
the mind of a lamb”, thus the PRE has a temperament that
enables both professional and non-professional riders to
enjoy the sport of dressage at any level.
I
think the PRE is made for the higher levels of dressage,
therefore I do not agree with PRE breeders who produce a
sporthorse type, in the mould of a crossbred, that has
very little resemblance to the true character of the
breed.
Once you start to alter movement, height
etc, you change the conformational balance of the horse,
and he loses the unique ability to collect and perform
at the highest of levels. I believe a PRE should be
instantly recognisable as a PRE with movement that has
both elevation and reach – neither real flat movement,
nor the dreaded sewing machine action that travels
nowhere, but a real expression and lift as well as
covering ground. This is our aim in our breeding program
– we do not compromise breed type for colour, “flat”
movement, excessive height or any other trend. If we
wanted a WB type, we’d breed crossbreds!!!! We believe
the PRE is a perfectly capable high level dressage horse
- why fix what’s not broken??!!!
The Spanish horse does best when they
arrive at the upper levels of dressage, where higher
collection is required – usually from Medium onwards.
The PRE can do a novice test equally as well as other
breeds, however the outline or ‘frame’ is typically
higher and rounder. Preference – in the lower levels -
is usually given to the longer-framed, lower neck set,
however do not be discouraged as accuracy, submission
and impulsion are all areas you can “make up ground”.
And remember the PRE excels at the collected movements,
where the longer framed horses find it hard.
If you compete your PRE in dressage
competitions, don't be discouraged by judges' criticism.
The more PRE’s that are out competing, the more judges
will get used to seeing them. Currently there are simply
not enough PRE’s out there in serious competition for
judges to see.
Some people believe it's easiest to
achieve the ultimate in lightness with the PRE rather
than any other breed. This may be because of the
"finished picture" you get in the end. The knowledgeable
trainer can train most horses to be just as 'light' in
his hands and aids, yet the PRE will typically make it
look more eloquent and effortless, since they are built
so balanced and naturally able to collect easily. This
is what these horses were bred for.
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