> Kat, Your response to Bob was extremely well written. Our horses must >
demonstrate at least Training Level skills before they ever set foot on >
It's a good idea in my book, but not mandatory. Erin McChesney obviously
agrees. Her late Mom was an outstanding dressage instructor. I see
collection and the abilty to round out the back as a wonderfully sound
way to beat fatigue. I have no scientific data to back it up other then,
in my experience it seems so. Then again my horse has his head most of
the time. I couldn't imagine asking him to go 50 miles on the bit. Bob
brought up some excellent points. I think there is middle ground. I
firmly believe in dressage excercises as an overall fitness routine.
We've been to level 3 and competed XT at the same level, being there's no
need to ever pass level 3 in XT. Of course, the USCTA vision of dressage
is a bit different.
t
Tommy Crockett <tomydore@goblin.punk.net>
Los Osos, California 93402-2715
"it won't matter what you're saying when
the damage has all been done"
Mary Chapin Carpenter