Eitan Beth-Halachmy Cowboy Dressage MWHF 2008

[gmwwc]

This is the real thing. Etan's horses are calm, confident, obedient, and best of all willing.

Holiday Compadre is just too gorgeous.

As they say where I ride, it just don't get better than this.

[mykaNbeau123]

I can't believe I missed this awesome horse at MWHF!!! I am going to hate myself for a while....

[eriknrobyn]

Eitan is absolutely amazing! I wish he would come back to Colorado!

[kikingfriesian]

dressage wich means to train in french, the point is.. that the main goal is that regardless of the breed height and physicall ability any horse can and is capable of achieve a certain level of dressage.

[elizabethkayemccall]

The true test of an artist and performer is to put together this kind of ride to music on the spot. Nice!

[kkent001]

You know, I just read some of the comments. My first thought was "Are you kidding me?" Then I realized that you have to have feel to recognize it in someone else. Feel cannot be taught. So, if you don't understand what is happening here, its OK. Enjoy it because it is fun to watch. But if you should have been given the gift of understand what is happening on this video....say a little prayer and be thankful for your gift.

[kkent001]

amazing

[dqwannab]

Look up 'infamous' in the dictionary. Not a very nice thing to say about such an awesome performance.

[Grando181]

I think a lot of people also forget how, way back, the old dressage from the calvary and initial western riding were pretty identical. I think this definitely was a nice tribute, and talk about wow after the swap.

[eventer275]

I get to ride santa fe i hangout with him at the expo! he my budy

[toadyss]

Obviously the people that are commenting on the use of a snaffle versus a curb bit should study how these bits work. As for curbs being cruel, I have personally seen horses that have had their tongues almost cut in half by Snaffle bits. It is not the bits that are cruel, but the hands using them. Also... dressage just means Horsemanship.....which should be everyones goal.

[universalradio]

It's all in the hands. If you have heavy hands, the snaffle is just as harsh; it pinches if it's a jointed snaffle. Pinches the tongue, and the lips.

[kellydt88]

I agree with you about curbs but young/new riders shouldn't use them until they have steady hands and snaffle bits are wonderful if they're not put in backwards causing the tongues to be injured. Its all about knowing what's right for your horse and knowing the affects of the equipment you use. ie which way do you attach a snaffle bit to a bridle etc.

[LuvMorganHorse]

Haha, you guys think a curb bit is cruel? 4 beating? Can you count?!

I met Eitan at World's last year, he's so cool. So hush if you don't know what you're talking about.

I also know the lady who owns Holiday Compadre =D

[romeo7807]

nice vid and beautiful horse i ride dressage on my arab and go to horse fair so fun! im still training my horse kuz ive only had him a year and a half and when i got him he was a nervouse and green horse he has come a long way i hope he can do some cool stuff like that some day

[jawbreaker90210]

Most dressage riders can't grasp what dressage is, no reason why 'western' can't grasp concept of Classical Dressage. But his bit, riding and horses head position are, to be blunt, not appropriate for such a claim- but Dressage is molded to fit everyone who wants their go at it. I believe dressage is teaching your horse to control his movements without fuss. To me, this is mixing terminology to create a $ effect. Nothing drastically different here. Another over-trained, tense horse.

[MsMorganhorse]

This is a MORGAN, the horse cannot hold his head low like other breeds. Look at how the horses neck come straight out of the body. You are calling him tense because of his head set. This horse is not tense.

[IWLindeLou]

@MsMorganhorse Of course the horse can hold his head low. All horses can.

We have a friesian stallion, he dont have any problems with holding his head low.

The horse can problably feed from the grass on the ground, therefor, the horse can have his head low.

[jns767]

If you look at the reins, he barely makes contact with the horses mouth. Those of you who think using a curb bit is torture are ridiculous. Eiten may not be an olympic Grand Prix rider to the standards of the traditional dressage enthusiast, but give the guy credit for starting something new. It seems to me that he's just showing us that we can all be one with our horses by using some of the principles of dressage. Stop being so closed minded.

[pyrografix]

Thank you! A good rider encompasses elements from a variety of "disciplines". I get really tired of hearing tirades from dressage riders that can't see that he isn't out there at a dressage event, but clearly stating that you can improve your abilities by broadening your vision.

[SmartAsAggie]

I think it is great this guy is trying to get dressage to reach people outside of the dressage community, but I think he needs to have the horse in a snaffle for sure. Some may argue that upper level dressage horses wear double bridles. and yes they do. but those horses are doing canter pirruetes, passage, piaffe, and other movements that require far more collection than anything I saw in this video. and the upper level riders only use the curb when needed...

[SmartAsAggie]

......the horses are mostly ridden off the snaffle (if ridden correctly). His canter pirruete was pretty good! the more adv the horse gets the better it will become when he learns to control his haunches more. the horse does need to be more engaged in his hind end and needs to work over his back more. he looks tense through his back and neck which is causing his haunches to disengage. his flying changes would be a lot better...

[SmartAsAggie]

...if he was straight going into them. his haunches swing out during the changes. overall i think it is a great concept, but needs to mimic more of the dressage people know. i would like to see the horse ridden in a snaffle and see how he goes.

[eventer275]

I love Eithan He's one of my good freinds. He's sucha nice person and very funny

[pyrografix]

He's a really nice man! I met him shortly after filming this and he was very gracious!

[saddlesforsale]

Nice ! At least the horse is not overbent and does not need to lean in his mouth to hold his balance : )

[simplysassy99]

this is complete bull shit

[pyrografix]

and why is that? Elaborate, please. I am sure the few people that watched this and know who this trainer is would really really want to hear your educated and worldly reasoning for your comment.

[simplysassy99]

i have no patience for people who think dressage is an easy sport and think anyone on anyhorse can do it. this is a complete joke. the horse is not on the bit, its afraid to even touch the reins because of the harsh 6 in curb it its mouth. also the canter is not engaged, its a freakin four beat. the spanish walk was good but the flying lead change was garbage. i have no problem with other discaplines just when people have issues with mine and make fun of it. they have NO idea what it takes.

[TheLittleIronHorse]

Hey, at least he is moving with more engagement than many of the big time quarterhorse shows (yes I realize this is not a quarter, but quarts are getting known for the sloppy four beat lope) do in the big shows (WP, HUS), but I do agree, the three beat lope drives me nuts. and the horse doesn't look uncomfortable.

[captain1634]

This horse was severly injured a few months before this video, you probably didnt know that. He is an amazing mover and a great horse, along with eitan. It is truly a great experience to know him. He is not saying anyone can ride dressage he is just presenting it in another way. If anyone knows what it takes its 8.

[Taliaa070]

WOW that's a gorgeous horse and he doesn't move in the saddle at all!!

[horsebelover]

this isnt really dressage at all just tricks like the spanish walk, and the rest was normal stuff like a canter and an uplifted canter which in dressage would be expected to have a extensition a lead change it wasn't even a flying lead change and the head is not supple or down he just looks like a guy in blue jeans and a cowboy hat riding a horse with a western saddle and bridle saying he is doing dressage, and people beleive him, but everyone has there own different taste and this isnt mine!

[pyrografix]

All good trainers use a blend of "disciplines". He didn't state he was doing dressage, rather that he combined elements including dressage. Did you ever see him ride his other horse Holiday Compadre? You might change your mind about him if you do.

[BlazingAva]

This man personally makes me sick... he claims disapline but in my book screams TORTURE! He's asking for collection in A CURB BIT. That's sick! That will not disperce pressure correctly and I'm not sure what type of devices he uses now but I know he at least use to tie down a horses head to it's tail. Yeah he's soooo amazing -_-' idiot.

[captain1634]

really? so your telling me dressage can only be done in a dressage saddle? in a snaffle? wellthe more advanced dressage horses are in full bridles with curbs, the pressure seems to be fine there. It is a new way for people to learn to ride, thats all dressage is. The fundamentals of the horse and rider.

[booyea11]

i LOVE him. everytime i see him in the morgan magazines it makes me happy :P i wanna meet him soo bad

[erikaw512]

been in looove with this horse for a long time thanks for posting!