The Bucking Pony and the Shire Pas De Deux. Keep Dressage Fun!

[MsPostSuper]

I am so impressed with not only the horses' training but the coordination and precision of the riders and most clever use of the music! Well done.

[seanaadamson]

Thanks so much for your comment. I'm so pleased that the video has brought you so much enjoyment.

[mory701251]

I just wanted to let you know that this video has brought me hours of amusesment and admiration of the horses and riders. I've passed the link on to numerous of my horsey friends for their enjoyment, and everyone who knows anything about horses has loved it.

[kadekdarma1]

make me jealous.. i love horse riding..

[FABFERNIE]

I think the tail swishing is very much a welshie attitude thing. My 14.3 Welsh cob does it when she doesn't get her own way when I ride her, generally when I'm trying to stop her bombing off.

Get a life folks and look at yourselves before having a go at an obviously talented rider on an even more talented pony. Well done, made me smile.

[Painthorsetrainer]

I laughed and cheered through the whole video. So entertaining after all the "prim and proper" dressage I have seen over the years. I loved it.

[jeaninedressage]

Cutest Pas de Deux Ever! :)

[realityrider]

Cool vid! I thought it must be a Welsh with that trot!! The shets have more knee action and a shorter stride! This little guy could trot right up with the big guy!

[horseisbeauty]

More fabulous than I can ever say!!! LOVE!

[YasandCrystal]

Excellent video - thanks for posting! The critics are clearly jealous!

[MissBouncingRainbow]

fantastic, the horses obviously really enjoyed themselves and the little welsh is in no way struggling... well done - this is genius!

[MsMillreef]

This is poetry in motion! Fantastic work and beautiful horses. Well done!

[jwjwjw12]

wonderful video, great horses and great fun.

[katehayesfirst]

Brilliant riding and well done the little man for being so very very active and so cute . All four of you are superb in this ...STUFF THE CRITICS that is a very happy pony WELL DONE !

[MsSilverflute]

Fantastic, super riding, very clever to stay together with a big striding shire and a small pony. Loved where the shire canters BEHIND the pony trotting.

I am sure both horse and pony are well loved they certainly look very well cared for

[talltree3]

@seanaadamson, you say that you KNOW you are too big for the pony, Merlin, and yet you "hope I did not cause him stress or pain." DUH!! That's what happens when you ride an animal you are TOO BIG to ride! Have a heart next time, and get a bigger horse. One that you won't hurt or stress by being too big for! Otherwise, that's animal cruelty.

[03firefly]

@talltree3 There's a difference between too big and too heavy. You can be too big meaning you need to be careful about leg placement (which, this rider was wonderful) and it just looks a little silly. I doubt that the rider was too heavy for the pony. Maybe it'd be too much if they were riding around all day, but this short ride is nothing for the pony.

[MoorehouseProduction]

Now I wish more people and the skill and guts to do this. How wonderful, keep having fun, and keep sharing that fun with us.

[GalaxyStar85]

OMG I love it love it love it love it.

[2horse4me]

AWESOME!

[shell181]

awesome :) nice to see ppl have fun in dressage. Screw the horrid comments you had fun and you have brought smiles to most of the people who watched this ...... Well we liked it x x x

[Keefer2407]

Obviously created with joy in the hearts of riders and horses alike! A great way to enjoy what you do, and share it with the world. Bravo.

[weavermom3]

I'm not a huge dressage person only because I'm one of those lowbrow western people :) However, this was great. Fun to watch and beautifully executed. Kudos!

[louinwy1]

I had a great time watching this video and I thought the riders did a great job and created a really entertaining pas de deux. Everyone thinks the horses should be a matched set in a pas de deux...but this was a great new take on it. It made me LOL and the movements were all well done. The pony was amazing -- what a great extended trot for such a little guy! Hat's off to you both!

[deezjebeezje]

haha very good! well done!

[juliacullen1986]

ok im in love with this

[terobmorgans]

what a fun presentation. I know nothing about dressage and I am very impressed that these two stayed so much in stride with each other. I have not been to Dressage in the Wine Country in years, and this would have been a real treat to have seen in person. Sure gives us "non dressage people" a different view of dressage riders. This was fun!!

[Virtie333]

Great rides! Looks like fun was had by horses, riders and audience!

[kinderdoggin]

Very cool! The horse and pony looked like they were having as much fun as the crowd.

[Doubleauseven]

I really enjoyed this, looked so much fun - Thanks for sharing!

[kapitankrafty]

I have grown to know and love Dressage over the last year with an amazing coach who rides everything from small Arabians to VERY large Warmbloods. He has brought such joy into my life with Dressage, and I can clearly see that you have given this pony, the shire and its' rider the same infectious love that I carry in my heart each day that I witness what it can, and does do for those who open their minds and hearts! WELL DONE! You brought a smile to my heart today!

RH in L.A. CA.

[na3te]

this looks like so much fun, everyone including the horses

[orlndblmsug]

that little pony looked so darn proud of himself the entire time haha... this video totally brought a smile to my face... too cute!

[83Sophe]

Amazing Video I really enjoyed it!

[JestArabians]

Absolutely LOVED it :)

You guys did a brilliant job and that pony was adorable. Great riders and gorgeous horses :)

[tpluseddy4eva]

sooooooooooocute xD

[Wonderhorse98]

OMG - this is the BEST pas de deux that I have ever seen!!! Congratulations, what a super job you guys did. I absolutely adored it, being a dressage diva myself. I just wish the pony had thrown in a few more bucks...;-)

[ZjuulK]

I really liked this video a lot. I showed it to numerous people and they all loved it. You can clearly see what fun they have. The welsh too.

BTW Someone who is 25 kilo can cause more problems than a rider who weights 50 kilo. This rider is skilled and doesn't bump in his back.

[rhondasmy08]

This is hilarious and the music is perfect:)

[VickiOsb]

Seana, although I've never ridden dressage, or had ANY training on riding (I'm self taught) I grew up with a Welch/Shetland mare. I did everything with & on that horse, including standing up bareback at a gallop. I was over 20% when I finally quit riding her. She flipped her tail regardless, & I wasn't even holding the reins. That pony was having fun in this video, or I've never been on a horse!

Thanks for posting- haven't had such a good laugh in a long time. So well done, & just marvelous!

[GtrGeorge]

OMG - Get a life people! I have known horses that can't canter without swirling their tail - like a prop to keep them going. some horses have habits. Some react to leg pressure with the swish, some when annoyed. PLEASE - why be so disparaging??? Have you nothing else to do? This was a great, fun video. The riders were very competent, well trained and the pony and horse having fun. No harm here! Kudos to riders, horses and whoever choreographed the ride. Well done!!!

[seanaadamson]

Thanks so much for your support! I couldn't have said it better myself!

[shell181]

@seanaadamson Fab vid loved it :) horses are meant to be fun and some "people" take it far to serioulsy

[01Appelflap]

So, it's a Welsh. Welshes of size 1.25m weigh at most 260kg (but this one's smaller I guess) . 20% of that is 52kg's.

In Europe (were we tend to ride a horse and watch their backs) the rule is: 15% of the weight for horses, 20% of the weight for coldblood pony's.

Sure, it'll carry what ever lands on his back (noble animal).. but it's back will not last too long. Remember that horses are physically NOT build to carry a lot of weight. Not having a problem with too much weight is no argument.

[atbarrall]

Again, I respectfully disagree. The weight might be excessive for long, hard, frequent hacks over varied terrain... and probably only then if the rider was unbalanced and hard on the back. Ponies have a far more suitable body to leg ratio than horses (i.e. shorter back to length of leg). For appropriate training and performance on the flat there is NO problem here. Perhaps your passion could be better spent on the many REAL and horrible abuses of these noble animals!

[nightfox39]

@01Appelflap In America, where we don't keep our horses in tiny lots and are known for getting along with our horses and understanding them, we realize that ponies are able to carry plenty of weight for short durations of time.

Anyway, I doubt you know anything about that.

The European barns I've visited were chock full of people who had no idea how to treat horses well. Guess you're one of those idiots.

Or maybe you're just an armchair expert as someone else said quite eloquently.

[01Appelflap]

@Nightfox39

Yeah right.. in the US everything is bigger and better, isn't it?

Tell me: Why are all quality horses (and ponies) imported from Europe ??

Who are in the world's top3 in dressage and jumping?

Probably just like you said: because Europeans (all Europeans, not just that ONE barn you visited) keep their horses in tiny stables and treat them badly. So that they do well in sports.

You forgot: americans are also smarter, aren't they?

Keep on dreaming the American dream!

[nightfox39]

WTF are you even talking about?

And yeah, we are smarter than most Europeans. Now, there are plenty of stupid Americans... but even they're smarter than you.

Swallow that ad hominem.

[01Appelflap]

Shet's can carry at most 20% of their weight. This one ways at most 230kg.... so it may carry 46kg's max!

[seanaadamson]

The pony was actually Welsh, not Shetland....

[atbarrall]

I quite disagree! The standard (and that's by no means an absolute, just a general standard to go by) for most *horses* is 20% of body weight. Some breeds carry weight better, and are said to be able to carry more like 25% of their weight. A pony like a Shetland or Welsh with very sturdy build and far more bone relative to body size than most horses can easily carry more than the generalization of 20%. I have owned ponies and horses - I see no problem with the pony performing under that rider.

[ambrey2]

@01Appelflap ponies can actually carry more than 20%, they are built differently than horses. And drafts can carry less than 20%. If you look at the balance through the circles, this pony was clearly having no trouble whatsoever carrying this lovely rider!

[blondie42685]

:~)

[AnimalInfoNews]

This might have been fun for the people watching but for the horses I don't know. The pony's head was pulled into his chest too much for most of the time and he was wagging his tail a lot -- a sign of stress/pain. A bit can put a lot of presser on a horse's tender mouth/jar/tongue tissues and cause much pain. I also feel that the pony bucked because of the painful bit pressure. I would love to see more horse people try training and riding their horses without bits -- causing their horses pain.

[seanaadamson]

The pony, Merlin, was very soft in the hand to ride. I did not pull his head into his chest, but rather he naturally carried himself very round and required very little pressure on his mouth.I rarely rode Merlin because I know I'm too big for him. Mostly he toted around little children. But during the 5 times I did ride him in this performance, I believe he really did enjoy himself. He was my friend and colleague at the riding school, and I hope I did not cause him stress or pain.

[AnimalInfoNews]

Thank you for the reply and I do hope that what you say is true for this pony and you didn't cause him any pain from the bit while riding him.

From what I have read a horse doesn't wring his tail around when playing with fellow horses in a field, this action is only seen when under saddle. Also most horses when free will not hold their head behind the vehicle for more than a few strides.

These two actions by the pony cause me to feel that he may have been under stress and/or in pain.

[gflane63]

I wish people who voice opinions were a bit more educated in the field on which they're commenting.  In this video I see a pony working very well in the hands of a very capable rider. I have trained/competed in dressage for over 25 years. I'm successful through Grand Prix. What have you done? You sound to me like the typical "armchair expert." You read a book and think you know something. Sorry but no. Anyone who KNOWS the sport of dressage would totally discount your assessment as do I.

[YarramiStud]

A horse's tail swishes like in the video because teh bone in their tail is part of their spine, and therefore can and will move with the horse. Watch Andreas Helgstrand riding Blue Hors Matine in the '06 WEG and you will see what I mean - Matine swishes her tail in time with her passage because her back is the foundation of the passage. You can also, where I live, score extra points for tail swishing in dressage because it shows the horse is relaxed and moving freely

[atbarrall]

:-)

He was fine! You guys were great.

[AbdilainesBlackMagic]

@seanaadamson I completley agree with you, and often ponies used to having children riding the enjoy a more competent rider letting them have some fun. From what I saw the pony went beutifully and seems to be used to working in an outline therefore you did nothing wrong and rode really well. :)

[mrstblack]

@seanaadamson I just saw your video and I must commend you on your beautiful relationship with Merlin. That was beautiful and I am sorry you received any negative comments. I totally enjoyed it and you should be very proud of your accomplishment with Merlin. Bravo. I just adopted a Welch Mountain pony. I hope to teach to drive. I have a friend with a 17.2 hand paint. We are going to try and put together a little routine with the two.

[ambrey2]

@AnimalInfoNews Have you ever met a pony? Many of them are born cranky. I loved this video, because the songs and the video are great insights into the dichotomy of the draft and pony dispositions. These two clearly bought into the generalizations. Lovely ride, I'd buy them both, if the riders came with them!

[AbdilainesBlackMagic]

@AnimalInfoNews it really depends on the horse or pony buy it can atcually cause more pain and distress to a horse riding in a bitless bridle as it increases poll pressure forcing them into an outline and they can then develop rearing problems, in some cases a soft bit is far kinder, but again it depends on the pony and what you doing with him. I know my dales is a snaffle mouth when in the school or hacking but nothing short of a 3 ring dutch gag will even slow him down hunting.

[honjlh]

@AbdilainesBlackMagic I couldn't agree more.

I have an old roping horse that absolutely can NOT be ridden in anything less than either a curb with very long shanks, or a twisted bit with nose support, and shanks. If you ride him in anything less you will NOT get him to stop. However my Quarab (Quarter Horse and Arabian) can be ridden in absolutely anything you put on his back, on his head, or in his mouth. (Including nothing) It all depends on the horse.

[shirley2458]

I LOVED that pony.  One expects Shires to be mellow, but Ponies!! LOL

[lobeliaoverhill]

Brilliant :)

[SoIamGothica]

:L

love it!

[firebirdninesix]

Can't get much better than this. Great choreography & humor to boot. Dressage should be fun!

[ninjaspirit7]

How cute :D

love it ;)

[sideshowmom]

How FUN was that???!!!! Heee! Thanks for posting it!!!

[foxee6]

Can someone post the link to the one filmed by Hilke, please?

[pwcarr]

ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS!!!! LOVE IT:)

[FoXXXyLady429]

very nice

[dressagepinky]

guys, watch the other video with Hilke filming it- you will laugh your leg wraps off!

[dressagepinky]

nice pony! just my size too- I'm 5 ft tall!

[capriole57]

That pony's got some serious step. Well done.

[jumper8205]

That was great! I hope they got a ribbon just for the choreography. lol

[jembonita]

Brilliant!

Next stop: The Olympics!!

I'm still grinning!

[Channelsnature]

Thank you! I needed a smile today, this is awesome fun!

[michaelmmcpeak]

Adorable! Both riders showed a beautiful technique and had fun doing it.

[ljaston17]

i literally laughed out loud. this is awesome! i love the "who do you think you are" as the pony's trotting in front of the cantering shire. very well done. and the bucking pony only added to the attitude LOL

[brknwldthngs]

Man that is a nice moving pony! Like the pony better than the Shire!!! Very cool video

[theroyallusitano]

Love it, love it, love it!!!!

We need to have more fun out there!!!!

[maxgretanew]

Just wonderful - what a pony (and Shire, too of course)! Riders were great, smiles all around, thanks for posting this.

[seanaadamson]

I'm not positive but I think the pony was 12.1 hands. Small! The Shire is 18.1 hands.

[glengarron]

great music! Just choosing that must have been a blast, let alone doing the choreography and then the actual ride!  Fun!

[shtintagel]

Wonderful!!

[7dressagerider]

how cute

[Elatu100]

Standing ovation from Canada!

[noelpowers]

That is dynamite!! I love the pony's "tude". hat a wonderful pair!! Good show!

[IcePonyGoddess]

Adorable! Loved it!!! How tall was that pony?

[longtimegone62]

Brilliant, loved it!!! Especially the part where the pony canters circles around the shire :)

[LuvMyTB]

This was fantastic!!

[herewefly]

LOVE TI

[TomlynP]

So Cute!! Loved every second!

[seanaadamson]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments! I'm thrilled you are all enjoying it!

[divajls]

LOVE it! What a heck of a pony!

[sallymo07]

holy cow that pony can trot!

[Terryboc1]

That was great! I especially loved the part with the shire cantering behind the pony as it trotted! too cool!

[squidypoo]

ROFLMAO!!! This is HILARIOUS! Thank you!

[SimratK]

What great fun! I love the talented little pony, with an opinion. :)

[alexequine]

Absolutley wonderful!

[ambrey2]

Best video EVER!

[Paws4Pictures]

Ahhh heartwarming and charming!

[Remmepark]

That was great! So much fun!

[titansrunfarm]

I love this, so much fun!

[Tegdesi]

FAN-Blinkin-TASTIC. !

Brilliant video, great show. :)

Thanks for sharing :)

Teg

[seanaadamson]

Thanks for your great comment. We had so much fun doing this-I'm honored that others can get some fun from this too.

[Zauberelle]

This is great! SO cute!! Thanks!

[iloveshires]

Totally fun! Awesome Shire and very cute pony!

[seanaadamson]

Thanks for the comment! They were two wonderful equines.