Couple of Sierra pics

Just a few from Hunt Seat Equation at a show a couple of weeks ago. The only other class I have pictures from is Trail and unfortunately, they're not very nice (just at the starting cone). And I know she's not fully extending, I don't want her to for Eq classes, since it makes the pattern easier to do.







this is her regular trot, just to show she doesn't do a collected trot all the time.


and just for fun, anyone want to try and guess her height? I'm just curious to see if what I'm thinking is true (I'll explain later).

She sure is a lovely mare!!!

Can I ask about something that has confused me for a long time? :) I am an english rider...classically trained (horses must be on the bit). I have seen lots of pics of paints, QHs etc overseas in english tack but trotting around with their noses almost "on the ground"..I am confused... hehehe Can someone explain this to me...because from a dressage point of view, this is incorrect and looks sloppy. Not being nasty or anything, am just curious! :)

Please also bear in mind that western riding is relatively new here, the vast majority of horse riders here are classically trained, dressage, jumping, eventing etc. Western pleasure, english pleasure, trail etc is VERY new...if there even are classes...I think there are... :)

Oh your mare looks pretty tall!!!! Maybe 16hh? :)

I loveeee Sierra!
&I know how tall she is I think, so I won't say anything. haha

It's is the way they are built, and the way they are bred. If you compare the conformation of a Quarter Horse to that of say, an Andalusian, you will notice that the Andy's neck is VERY upright, while the QH's neck comes out much lower. Originally QH's (and most stock horses) were bred to work cattle. They need to get to be ale to get low, and you also want them to be a comfortable, pleasureable (which is where pleasure stemmed from) because they had to ride all day. And like many disciplines, it has evolved into what it is now. My mare would like have a difficult going into a correct dressage frame, because she's not built to. I have never had to teach he where to hold her head, it is all natural. I prefer for horses to go with their poll even with their withers, or a few inches above or below, whatever looks best for the particular horse. I don't mind explaining things like this, it's better if people ask and want to learn rather than just bashing saying everyone who does pleasure makes their horse go unnaturally.

I'll wait to reveal her height until a few more people guess. :P

You guys look great!

Nice headset, im so happy you dont have a peanut roller!! Im kind of obsessive sbout this sub for some reason... idk. Btw i think you explained the difference quite nicely!

Now can someone explain what a peanut roller is? Sounds like a delicious snack.

It's a term for the style of WP horses with their nose so low, they could roll a peanut with their nose.

She's gorgeous! I'd guess 15.2hh?

She is beautiful! I bet she has one hell of a Topline! :) :) I work every night with Nelson and try to get him to stretch down like that during our Long And Low sessions. You're lucky!

You both look amazing together!

She's lovely!