| Author |
Message |
    
Liz Howe
Username: Lizh
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 16 August, 2010 - 02:46 pm: | |
I'm all fired up too Philippa! I'll be competing in the Sussex area. No longer will I be satisfied with a 'fast scuttle' as an excuse for an extended trot. I've learnt the test so I'm hoping Molly will put her best hoof forward and fly across the arena with amazing grace (who am I trying to kid!) but it will be fun trying.
|
Philippa Ellen
Username: Philippae
Registered: 03-2010
| | Posted on Monday, 16 August, 2010 - 01:14 am: | |
Ooops! How do I dig myself out of this one?! Yes, quite agree, shetlands, especially minis who seem to have oodles of presence naturally, are more than capable of producing spectacular paces. It's just all very hard to work out when all you can see is bushy mane and a bustling bottom in front of you..
I would have loved to have seen Barry and Leonie's shetlands in action, I'm sure they were a sight to behold, and I'm sure we'd all like to know their secret - which I suspect is no secret at all - lots of dedicated hours put into schooling their ponies correctly. Ah, I see your point!!
I have actually seen Pumpkin working in a stunning outline, demonstrating transitions from a pinging collected to trot to a toe-flicking extension that puts my warmblood to shame - when I was having a lesson with Kate Spillett and she kindly demonstrated what I should be doing! So.. I think perhaps my point is/was that while the ponies are intrinsically capable of these paces, it's my capabilities as a driver/trainer that I was questioning :-) I feel more lessons coming on...
So, quite right, I'm going to put much more effort into producing my shetlands, and not be content with 'slightly faster' and 'slightly slower'!! Yes I know, impulsion and stride length are not the same as speed of legs...
What I'm really hoping is that having bought Barry's shetland carriage, Pumpkin will magically start to move like one of their shetlands! |
Rita Bundock
Username: Roanmare
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, 15 August, 2010 - 02:58 pm: | |
Pip, what are you saying - a shetland can't do collection or extended trot. What total rot!
Ask Barry Marshall how he got his fantastic mini's to do ALL the required paces.
They were something else - elegant white mice flitting around the arena, appeared not to be touching the ground they were so forward going AND working from behind correctly.
So come on Pip and all small pony drivers, little uns CAN do all the paces, if only drivers would take the time to produce them and not just say " oh it's a Shetland and they can't do it" of course they can.
Enjoy the coming season. |
Philippa Ellen
Username: Philippae
Registered: 03-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, 14 August, 2010 - 10:30 pm: | |
So who is going to be competing in the all-new Kent region?! I'm very excited about having to get up slightly less early this year, but I can't wait for the season to begin again!
***tootles off to practice the new P&P, pondering meaning of collected and extended trot with a mini shetland*** |
|