Definitely don't feel flamed! Not even
singed! Yes, I believe you could have an event (with
"trotters") where you trot with champagne - in fact I think I've seen
rodeo/county fair 'fun' events where people trot
and gallop around with a raw egg in a spoon. Can be quite messy
but sure is fun to watch!
One of the smoothest horses I've ever ridden, at a
trot and canter, was a TB mare, who moved with that beautiful daisy cutter
action. Riding her was like sitting on a cloud floating through the
sky. If that's what a good gaited horse feels like, then I can see why
they have such devoted owners!
(And by the way, the TWH I rode wasn't pacing - it was a true "gait."
His owner was riding next to me and told me he was gaiting correctly.)
You can get
a gaited horse to trot, so they can be ridden roughly. Riding a
Peruvian for maximum smoothness is an art. But consider that one of
the standard classes at a Peruvian show is called the champagne class --
whichever rider ends up with the most champagne left in his/her glass after
performing a bunch of maneuvers at the gait is the winner. I stay off
trotters, so I wouldn't know -- would such an event even be possible on
trotters?
If
this feels like a flame, douse it with bubbly.
One other
thing -- getting maximum smoothness on the trail is for me one of the more fun
challenges of trail riding on Peruvians. It's not easy, and I think the
world's best is going to show movement. The irregularities encountered are
what make it interesting. One of the very best parts of a well-trained trial
Peruvian -- i.e., a good horse to start with that has been ridden well on the
trail for several years -- is the way it anticipates footing and slope changes
and obstacles such as roots and rocks and meshes with the signals from its
equally well-trained rider to go fast and smooth down the trail. Full
tilt gaiting down a forest single-track is a peak
experience.
