do draft crosses show qualities that might make them good dressage horses?

Any horse that is sound can do well at the lower levels so if lower levels are your aim then go for her.

I hate the 'mother of the bride' look - much prefer to show in moleskins, jodhy boots and hacking jacket with a velvet cap or head scarf. Far more sensible and workmanlike. With my shape finding an outfit is really hard. My hat s lovely though, just a straw hat with toning spray of flowers and a band in navy - Serenity loves it - she thinks it lunch!

Have someone run her up in walk and trot - look for even steps, a loose free walk with good overtrack. For trot look at general activity - does she bring back legs well under her body does she move out from her shoulder - also look from in front for dishing - sadly many do but it's not always a total handicap.

You just can't tell from a photo. It really is all about the skill of the rider and the ability of the horse. She is just far too young at the moment to say either way. Don't worry about 'dishing' in a young heavy horse unless it is very, very pronounced. They move like Bambi on ice until they are around 2 years old and are the clumsiest animals on the planet! You need to give them time to grow into their feet and legs LOL. If I was going to buy a heavy specifically as your first'dressage prospect' - I wouldn't touch anything under 5 years old. This is because you can't start breaking them to ride until they are 3 and you can't do any more intensive work with them until they hit 5 or 6 and this has to be done gradually otherwise you can cause a great deal of damage to backs, legs etc. If you want them to go up a gear to pull, in the UK our trainers won't touch them for logging or carriage work until they are 6 or 7.