by: Eric Smith
(Reprinted from )
When I was asked to write an article on why Andalusians would make good event horses, I had to reflect on our decision to event our mare, Carina HGF.[nbsp] Although the Andalusian is often thought of as a dressage horse, many of the qualities that are sought after in dressage, such as intelligence, athleticism and temperament, are the same qualities that have helped our mare succeed in eventing.
We acquired Carina HGF from Kim Boyer at Hampton Green Farm in Michigan.[nbsp] Her intent was to keep Carina as her own mount until we persuaded her to sell her to us as a performance horse and possible breeding companion to our stallion, Decoroso HGF. Although the Andalusian is not typically known for jumping, we saw Carina’s athleticism as a three year old and Cindy suspected, given her twenty two year background in eventing that she would excel over fences.
Carina’s dressage training started immediately upon her arrival in California.[nbsp] Twice she scored in excess of 75% in training level test in her first year of showing.[nbsp] Six months later we started showing her over fences. She first showed in the hunter ring and then dabbled in show jumping.[nbsp] She proved to be a brave and careful jumper.
Carina competed in her first combined event at a schooling show in January and finished second by less than a point in a field of thirty two.[nbsp] Last weekend, Carina took the lead on day one in dressage with a score of 76.5% and never relinquished it, as she went double clear in both stadium and cross country jumping for a first place finish in the beginner novice division at the USEA sanctioned Twin Rivers Winter Horse Trials.
At any level of eventing, a three day horse trial is extremely stressful– both for the horse, and the rider.[nbsp] Even if your dressage is spectacular on day one, the specter that you could have a refusal on cross country on day two or have a rail down in stadium jumping on day three is always present and foremost on your mind.[nbsp] Since scoring is cumulative over three days, there is as much pressure on the leader to keep the lead as there is on the rest of the field to move into the lead.
Carina’s temperament, focus and determination are some of the attributes that are well suited for eventing. In the high octane world of eventing—a world dominated by thoroughbreds and warmbloods– we are often complimented on the bold and confident nature of our horse.[nbsp] We are counting on Carina’s athleticism, focus and determination as we move up to Novice level later this Spring.[nbsp] Wish us luck!
For more information, contact Pedro Nadales at 011-34-617-39-25-93 or yeguadanadales@gmail.com or contact Hampton Green Farm.
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