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Friday, May 30, 2014

The Stuff of (Dressage) Fairy Tales

Remember Lakota?  I rode him in 2011 while his owner Jan was laid up.  At that time, he was working solidly at 1st level and schooling 2nd.  To read more about our adventures together, click here.  

 me and Lakota
please don't look at my wretched toes

Even then, Lakota was in self carriage, cheerfully offering a more advanced frame than you would expect for a horse at his level.  That should have been our first clue that he would excel at dressage.

A year ago, Jan showed Lakota 1st Level at "Dressage at High Prairie".  Today Shannon showed him at the same show, only this time he competed at Prix St. George.  If you are wondering what the heck PSG is, click here to read the test.


Today -

 Shannon and Lakota Lace

in the midst of canter pirouette

a split second after a flying change of lead

So how did the little Appaloosa stack up
against the big warmbloods?

66%
1st place

Shannon and Jan

Lakota and Shannon moved from 1st Level to PSG in 8 months.
Lakota skipped showing at 2nd Level, 3rd Level and 4th.
That only happens in fairy tales.
I'm so impressed.
Good boy, Lakota.
Shannon and Jan, I salute you.

You know what I liked best about today's test?  Lakota went in a snaffle bridle, not a double.  That's a rule change I really like. 

18 comments:

Dreaming said...

That's some horse! What incredible talent and spirit!

Lori Skoog said...

I am totally impressed! And in a snaffle no less. The horse and rider must really click...beautiful!

Mare said...

Whoa. That's crazy!

Texan said...

I know zero about horses and showing. But this all sounds really good! and that big blue ribbon certainly says.. "we did good" Congratulations!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

One of the most posed and graceful horses, I have ever seen.
Congratulations to both horse and rider, so well-deserved.
~Jo

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Poised :)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

A congratulations is definitely in order here :) awesome!! Beautiful horse!!

thecrazysheeplady said...

AWESOME!!!! :-D

Kate said...

WOW!! That is impressive. What a beautiful horse.

Beate said...

What an amazing story! Lakota is an amazing horse and so beautiful! A well deserved 1st place. And I do love the rule change, too. I wonder if they'll do that in Germany, too - I sure hope so!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Inger said...

What a good horse. When I was young, I knew a little bit about dressage, but nothing at this level. Your post brought back memories of riding, horse shows, and all that's involved in loving horses.

Alison said...

Nothing but good news in here! He does look very comfortable and happy to be in the ring. Such a beautiful partnership.

Jim said...

WOW! Good for Lakota! What a beautiful looking horse!
i can feel your pride and excellent all the way here, Terry! great photos too, by the way.
A little more learned about this whole business too, thanks.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Just beautiful and elegant horses! I know zero about horses and showing, but I can see that it is really great! Congratulations!

JJ said...

That's incredible! What a one in a million horse he is! :)

Em Parkinson said...

Wow - what a beautiful horse and great news about the snaffle. I always rode Trigger in a bitless bridle but I don't think dressage would have been possible. x

Once Upon an Equine said...

Wonderful! And congratulations to Shannon and Lakota. They look beautiful together.

So Terry, I don't think we've talked since I began taking dressage lessons. Decided to give it a try and I love it. And even better...Misty loves it! I'm dreaming of showing Intro level Western Dressage later this year or next. I dunno. I don't get a lot of time to practice, so don't know if I'll feel ready this year. One thing is certain...we won't be skipping any levels. :-)

Wolfie said...

I got goosebumps reading your post. :-) What an awesome team.