New DQ
March 24, 2009
‘DQ’ usually stands for ‘Dressage Queen,’ but we like ‘Dressage Quarter Horse’ better.
Improve your horse with dressage principles and other tips from "The Journal."
From The American Quarter Horse Journal
Dressage can benefit your American Quarter Horse.
Basic dressage principles give you tools to help you become a better rider no matter what discipline you choose. In fact, whether you ride purely for recreation or you’re hoping to be the next world champion, dressage principles can take you to the next level in your riding.
In 2005, Lynn Palm’s Palm Partnership Training had a “Quarter Horses in Dressage” class at Royal Palm Ranch in Bessemer, Michigan.
Although Lynn, an AQHA Professional Horsewoman, and her husband, master riding instructor Cyril Pittion-Rossillon, have run several schools and seminars on dressage and its principles, this was the first geared specifically toward Quarter Horses and their riders.
Lynn often shares even more of her training expertise with The American Quarter Horse Journal, like in the March ‘Borrow a Trainer’ column. Subscribe today and get the latest tips on training, showing, breeding, event coverage and much more delivered to your door every month.
The training focuses on perfecting the basics: the rider’s balance, the horse’s balance and the performance.
“Put your horse in balance before you ask him to do anything – that’s the key to dressage,” Cyril says.
“Our responsibility as riders is to try to do everything we can in our training to bring the horse back as close as we can to their natural way of movement. Why? Because then we make being ridden easy for them. And if it’s easy for them, they are going to be happy.
“Dressage focuses on correct horsemanship that promotes mutual understanding and respect between horse and rider,” Cyril says. “And that is what’s most important.”
How Dressage Does It
Dressage offers some distinct benefits, different from other disciplines.
“You cannot ride a horse properly if you do not have the correct position,” Cyril explains. “If you do not have the correct position, you do not have balance. We start all our programs talking about the rider’s position.”
Learn more about proper riding techniques with your subscription to The American Quarter Horse Journal. Stay current with the latest information from great features like our “Borrow a Horse Trainer” series plus gain access to several years worth of archived issues for easy reference.
- There should be a vertical line from the ear to the hip and down to the heel.
- Another line should extend from the elbow through the hands and onto the horse’s mouth.
- Hands should be held over the withers, tilted halfway between horizontal and vertical, with thumbs on top.
- You should sit firmly on your seat; imagine sitting on your jeans pockets.
“This method of training isn’t just ours,” Lynn says.
“We’re following sound dressage principles developed for many years. It promotes happy horses and good ethics in training, period. It’s a tool anyone can use to make all-around, good horses, English and western.”
Don’t Forget to Enter! Go to QuarterFest on Our Dime
AQHA members have a great opportunity to win a trip to QuarterFest: A Celebration of the American Quarter Horse. This one-of-a-kind event, May 1-3 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will be a chance to ride, touch, observe and learn how to care for your American Quarter Horse.
If you’ve visited AQHA’s new web site, americashorsedaily.com – and you want to visit QuarterFest – here’s the deal: In 200 words or less, tell us which tip on americashorsedaily.com you have benefited from most, and explain why. On the site, you’ll find tips and advice on training, recreational riding, showing, horse health and breeding – so you have lots to choose from.
Send us your entries no later than March 27. And please adhere to the word limit; longer essays will be disqualified. We’ll only accept one entry per person. The contest is open to AQHA members over age 18, and the winner will be notified by April 3.
The prize includes airfare to Murfreesboro from anywhere within the contiguous United States, hotel accommodations and event admission. Visit America’s Horse Daily for complete rules and to submit your entry.
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6 Comments on “New DQ”
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April 1st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
My Apendix Quarter Horse “Willifiwantto” aka “Lily” is 18 now and will always be my dream come true mare. I bought her at age 9 and she had shown extensively in the Florida Dressage Show Circut, trained to the 4th level. I have learned so much from her patient ways and calm deminer. She self loads and is unflappable at shows which is fantastic for my nervousness. Even at 18, she still loves to work and is actually happiest when she works 6 days a week. My trainer uses her for lessons when I’m busey working and everyone loves Lily. Five years ago I bred her to a full quarter horse stallion, know for his temperment and gaites. “Lily’s Maggie Mae” foaled 7/10/04 and is a sweetheart, just like her Mom. She’s level headed and a quick learner, and very affectionate. She’ll follow in her Mother’s footsteps in the Dressage Show Ring and keep me sane into my retirement.
April 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Cant Dance Da Blues a/k/a Blue has been shown successfully in halter her entire life. The last couple of years we dabbled a bit with a hunt saddle on her however her gaits have always been too fast to be competetive under saddle. Back in 2007 I was at the MidWest Horse Fair in Madison, Wisconsin and at the Dressage booth I put my name in for a drawing for a one year free membership in the Wisconsin Dressage & Combined Training Association. My name was picked and I became an active member. At age 15 I entered Blue in the Intro to Dressage competetion. I am happy to announce that we made the 2008 reserve champion in the Adult Amateur division. In 2009 we are looking forward to moving up to Training Level. What a world of difference Dressage made for Blue and I. Most of all, we are having fun again!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am
[...] and AQHA member from Elkton, Maryland, for writing in a comment on my last blog post about dressage. Here is some more information about the recent Executive Committee approval for the [...]
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Finally, Dressage! I have been showing my quarter horses for almost 50 yrs in Dressage as well as “traditional” AQHA events. In the past 10-12 yrs., I have concentrated on the foundation bred QH. Back to my roots, so to speak. I have a 100% foundation gelding that is currently 2nd level, a grulla mare that is 97% at 4th level, and an 85% mare just starting into Prix St. Georges. The gelding also wins handilly at versatility ranch, the grulla is a point earning western pleasure horse, and my sorrel mare wins nicely at reining, cutting and driving. Proof positive of the marvelous versatility of the American Quarter Horse. I have a grullo stud colt that I will start driving in the spring who is destined for versatility ranch and numerous others in my barn who all are equally versatile. I regularly beat warmbloods and others on the court. And when people ask me what kind of “pony” I am riding, I proudly say,”This is no pony! This is a foundation bred Quarter Horse.” And to any nay-sayers I say, “Quarter Horses are warmbloods, just look at the horses that have gone into making them.” I even have a custom bumper sticker that reads,”Quarter Horses The Origional American Sport Horse” Thank You to all who have worked so hard to bring the valuable recognition to our wonderful breed. Our horses have been bred for versatility and usefulness since before the stud books began. Thanks for helping us show the world one more time that we’ve still got what it takes to be America’s Horse.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
My horse and I AQHA members.
Who do I mail my 50 dressage AQHA approval fee to for $50
Who do I mail my competition license fee of %85 to for lifetime of horse? 512-465-7924
March 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
[...] and AQHA member from Elkton, Maryland, for writing in a comment on my last blog post about dressage. Here is some more information about the recent Executive Committee approval for the [...]