EC November/December, 2009

Lynn Palm and Rugged Lark were instrumental in paving the way for dressage to become a new AQHA approved class. This team was responsible for bringing the talents of the American Quarter Horse to the attention of horse lovers all over the world. Due to Palm’s effort, the versatility of America’s horse will now be demonstrated through the classical training and athleticism more commonly known today in European Warmbloods and Spanish-bred horses. Dressage is French for “training of the horse” and every breed of horse and every discipline of equestrian sports can find benefit in the training that dressage has to offer.

According to Don Darks of Mockingbird Hill Farm located in Elkton, Maryland, “Dressage is commonly called ‘horse ballet’. The fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse’s gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider’s minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless.”

Darks adds, “The essence of dressage is demonstrated by you and your horse being tested on a set of different maneuvers depending on the test. Each one is a progression which exhibits the strength, submission, and accuracy of you and your horse. You are scored on a scale of 1 to 10. You might mess up on one maneuver but get high scores on others and still get a great overall score. Unlike other competitions, one error does not knock you out of the competition. When you are scoring consistently in the 60s on the highest test of a level, it is time to move up to the next level which gets progressively harder by adding new maneuvers. The beauty of the Quarter Horse is they are smart and quick learners, and they love the challenge.”

While the class will not be at AQHA shows, it will be available at USDF shows across the country. Palm first proposed the desire to get dressage approved as an AQHA class 13 years ago. “From a training standpoint, it is a beautiful discipline,” Palm explains. “It is basically a 2½ minute equitation pattern where the rider must be accurate, develop strong horsemanship skills, and ring strategies.”

Palm adds, “Warmbloods are the most desirable breed for this discipline because of their long suspended stride and large size. You can compare a warmblood to a semi-truck. They can be very intimidating to a lot of people. They can be a lot of horse. That is where the Quarter Horse can find a niche in this discipline. They are not as big and they mature faster. They can be easier to ride and are closer to the ground. They will be great for any amateurs, beginners or youth riders.”

Deb Herbert from Florida is one of those riders. “I am thrilled about the new AQHA recognition of dressage as a class at USDF shows. I have always loved dressage. I am a proud new owner of an AQHA mare. I plan on riding the local open show circuit, and I am also a member of our local USDF members group, the Alpha Dressage Association,” Herbert said. “Since I am an older rider, I was looking for a sane, quiet and capable partner. The Quarter horse seems the perfect fit. My trainer, Carmen Stiles, is fabulous and she trains across all the disciplines. She has a barn full of well-trained Quarter Horses, and I have seen their amazing ability in all disciplines and venues. So I want to become the best rider I can be. I found the best trainer for my ‘still-a-newbie level’, and I have the best horse. I can’t wait to see how far we can go.”

Robin DeGraff with her stallion Indian Artifacts has also been involved with trying to cross over and breed Quarter Horses for the dressage ring. Indian Artifacts is an AWR (American Warmblood Registry) Inspection Champion where he received a full breeding license from the association. He sired Indian Harvest and other offspring that have been successful in dressage. “He is 17.2 hands. He has a lot of bone and substance,” DeGraff said. “I think the fact that he is not quite as refined as some Quarter Horse stallions has helped him produce offspring that can be successful in the Quarter Horse as well as the hunter and dressage rings.”

Don and Lori Darks are currently showing their 15 hand Quarter Horse stallion, Quatro Clabber, on the east coast USDF circuit in the 1st and 2nd level dressage. They heard that AQHA was in the developmental stage of recognizing dressage for Quarter Horses. “My wife was excited, and thought that would be a great opportunity to prove the ability of our horses, so we searched for a dressage trainer in Maryland. There weren’t that many. But there was a strong network of riders and stables, and many opportunities to develop one’s skills at various schooling shows around the state. Dressage has been dominated by large warmbloods such as Oldenburgs, Andalusians, Trakehners, Friesians and Thoroughbreds. When we showed up with our 15 hand Quarter Horse stallion, you could see the doubt in their minds. A good dressage horse must have 3 pure gaits, with beautiful movement, engagement, impulsion and suspension. I left out 3 other important components, temperament, intelligence, and athletic ability. That describes the Quarter Horse. Our trainer liked our Quarter Horse so well, she bred her Trakehner to our stallion to get the temperament.”

Darks adds, “Although the sport is dominated by horses that are in excess of 16 hands, our trainer Fiona Gowers emphasized, ‘There is nothing in the USDF rule book that says bigger is better.’ The success of our Quarter Horse stallion proves the point.” In 2006, their Quarter Horse stallion passed the rigorous test of the (AWR) American Warmblood Registry and won First Premium as a licensed AWR Dressage Stallion. The Darks are proud that their Quarter Horse stallion, Quatro Clabber, has qualified for the USDF 2009 Region 1 Greater American Insurance Group Championships and the Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships. He is also in the running for the USDF All Breeds Award and the USEF Performance Horse Registry Silver Stirrup Award. His six year-old offspring, Cutters Sensbars, is currently in training for the 2010 season.

“Over the last 4 years, I have sent numerous letters to AQHA with recommendations regarding the recognition of Quarter Horses in dressage based upon our experiences competing in local GMO Schooling Shows and USDF Rated Shows,” Darks explained. “In 2007, we met with Lynn Palm and discussed all the possibilities and the need for Quarter Horses to compete. Lynn has worked tirelessly to help make dressage a recognized discipline within AQHA and she should be commended. I think that AQHA made a brilliant move accepting dressage as a discipline. As more and more Quarter Horses start to compete, success will speak for itself. In Region 1, a USDF Judge is showing a Quarter Horse. I encourage all interested Quarter Horse owners to compete in dressage.”

Ken Levy who runs Legacy Farm Dressage in Noblesville, Indiana, was asked to be on the AQHA Task Force to get dressage approved as a class. The program developed in coordination with the AQHA, USDF and USEF is not about just a class, but rather about bringing dressage to the AQHA and adding the discipline to the AQHA Awards program. Levy was asked to participate on the AQHA task force due to the fact that he is the USDF membership committee chair, a USEF “r” dressage judge, a USDF certified associate instructor and an active competitor (competing from training level through grand prix). Levy is also the President of the Indiana Dressage Society (State Group Member Organization for the USDF). “I believe that my experience as a trainer, judge, competitor and leader of those interested in dressage provides me with a unique perspective on how people view their horses, regardless of the breed and what they are looking for when it comes to competitive and non-competitive activities surrounding dressage.”

With regards to Quarter Horses competing in dressage, Levy adds, “I have never come across anyone in dressage who has stated that Quarter Horses are inappropriate or cannot be competitive in dressage. As a judge, I do not favor an Olympic rider over an adult amateur or a Quarter Horse over a Warmblood. As a dressage judge, we are taught to be a bit blind when it comes to the horse and rider.  Every horse comes into the ring with an equal chance and a clean slate. As a trainer and instructor, I welcome all breeds of horses. I also welcome all owners–those who have a strong competitive drive as well as those who only want to enjoy the company of their horse. I do not believe that I am unique and I am sure that AQHA members will find that dressage people are eager to embrace them and their horses.”

The AQHA Dressage program will officially kick off in 2010. Levy said, “Like any new program, I am sure that there will be growing pains. Quarter Horse owners will need to be patient with the AQHA, USDF and USEF. I continue to be very positive about the AQHA adding dressage to its recognized events.” Quarter Horse owners can learn more about dressage by contacting the USDF Group Member Organization (GMO) in their area. Interested individuals can find out how to contact a local GMO by going to the USDF web site: www.USDF.org.

Levy adds, “Remember, dressage is not only for the wealthy or for those with expensive Warmbloods. Dressage is a discipline for those of us who want to improve our horses regardless of whether we ride on the trail, compete in reining (western dressage), western pleasure, pursue hunter/jumper or eventing. Dressage is about becoming more aligned with your horse and not about a type of horse.”

The new steps AQHA will be taking to get dressage ready to debut in 2010 are shown below.

Recommendation from AQHA Executive Committee to accept the dressage task force recommendations including:

Approval

- Establish at USEF/USDF licensed competitions

- AQHA class held within existing class starting with Training   Level 4

- AQHA approval fee of $50 sanctioned 60 days in advance

Eligibility

- Must be AQHA registered horse and current individual member for exhibitor

- Open, amateur and youth eligibility based on AQHA criteria

- Competition license fee of $85 for lifetime of horses paid to AQHA

- Exhibitor must declare division (open / amateur / youth) with AQHA

- AQHA to supply information to USDF

Awards

- At each of the nine USEF/USDF Regional Championship shows in 2009 an AQHA trophy will be awarded to the three high-point registered quarter horses competing in championship class with the highest percentage score for open, amateur and youth divisions. Entry must have a minimum 60% score.

Point conversion

- Accept AQHA point conversion from percentage score for Training Level and above.

Dressage Score Conversion

60 – 65%   66 – 70%   71 – 75%   76%+

Point Conversion

Training 1 2 3 4

First 1.5 3 4.5 6

Second 2 4 6 8

Third 2.5 5 7.5 10

Fourth 3 6 9 12

FEI 4 8 12 16

Point Limits

Training Level 20

First Level 20

Second Level 10

Third Level 10

Fourth Level 10

FEI No Limits

POINT LIMITS

Create a High Point recognition program for the open, amateur and youth divisions for 1st through 10th place for each division and the highest award to the highest point earning registered American Quarter Horse in each division including points earned in Training Level 4 through Grand Prix.

Judges

- Accept USEF/USDF licensed judges

- Must have current AQHA membership

- Abide by AQHA rule 438

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  Indian Harvest
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  Quatro Clabber