November 16, 2001, Newsletter Issue #63: Dressage and the Shetland Pony

Tip of the Week

Dressage competitors perform a specific test--a specific pattern of movements and figures designed at specific levels of achievement and to determine proficiency, ability and skill of horse and rider.

All Dressage tests begin the same way. At the sound of the judge`s bell, horse and rider enter the arena at the "A" marker and proceed straight down the centerline, halting in the middle; which is referred to as "X". The rider then salutes the judge (who is sitting back of the marker located at the "C" marker), and proceeds with the remainder of the test. At the end of the test, the competitor again returns to the centerline, once again halting and saluting the judge, again, usually at the "X" point.

At the beginning stages, riders can enter the Introductory Level and the Training Level. At these levels, the tests require only simple obedience at a brisk walk and trot, or walk, trot and canter along the rail, performing large circles or serpentines. As the horse and rider progress in their training, they move up to higher levels where the tests introduce new and more challenging movements and figures.

For the remainder of this article, go to the Front Page of Horse Tips to the "My BIO" section and click on the link to my home site at Good GO! Farm. There, scroll down for the **Discipline of the Week Article 11/16/01**

Perhaps, the oldest breed of horse in Britain is the Shetland Pony. Named after the islands where it originated, it is now one of the most popular ponies in the world. The little Shetland is probably so shaggy because it was conditioned by its environment. The Shetland Islands, lying off the northern coast of Scotland, are mostly barren and have a harsh climate. For many centuries the Shetland Pony lived in the open, protected from the elements only by this thick hair, long mane, and forelocks. The Shetland Islanders domesticated the ponies to do useful work for them. The pony carried peat down from the bogs to the cottages for use as fuel. They also hauled seaweed up from the shore to the fields to be used as fertilizer.

Physical Description

The Shetland Pony is probably the strongest equine relative to its size, yet even the stallions are gentle and docile. The body of the British Shetland is full with short, muscular legs. It has substantial mane, forelock, and tail. Coloring varies by the season.

For the remainder of this article, go to the Front Page of Horse Tips to the "My BIO" section and click on the link to my home site at Good GO! Farm. There, scroll down for the **Breed of the Week Article 11/16/01**

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