Posted, February 1. 2007

Young Horse Training Symposium with Scott Hassler
by Gigha Steinman, River Oaks Farm

Young Horse Classes Criterea

There was also some discussion of the Young Horse classes. Hassler emphasized that they are not for every horse, and really are intended for the very talented horses with the nicest gaits. He pointed out how in the Young Horse tests there are only five scores given: Walk, Trot, Canter, Submission, and General Impression.

In contrast, there are more than twenty scores given in a standard lower level dressage test. He stressed the importance of the horse having three nice gaits, or (as he said) two outstanding gaits if they are going to make up for one average gait. (For example, a horse with a nice trot and canter, but average walk.) If a horse does not have such nice gaits, it might be more successful in the standard dressage tests, where there is not as much emphasis on the gaits themselves.

PhelpsPhoto: Graffini Grace by Graf genius out of Extra ordinary by Espri, Ridden by Eliza Sydnor owned by Cindy and Eliza Sydnor