Size Does Matter (in choosing a Dressage Horse)

If you are a fan of dressage, you have probably drooled those big, gorgeous, extravagant movers that compete in the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games. I did, and as I was learning dressage on my humble paint and quarter horses, I always hoped to some day own and compete on a big, fancy moving warmblood. Eight years ago, I purchased a 17′1″, full bodied Hanovarian schoolmaster. In many ways he has taught me a great deal, but the most important lesson that I have learned is that as a rider, you need to choose a horse that fits you! By this I mean, a horse that is not too big for a small person to ride. I am a small person (5′4″) with short legs . Riding my big, wide Hanovarian schoolmaster has always been a real challenge, even though he is pretty quiet and steady. I have shown him in sanctioned shows through Second Level, but actually, I received better scores when I showed my smaller in size and movement quarter horses and paints. In my opinion, a small rider on a big, wide horse just doesn’t make a good impression with most dressage judges, not to mention the amount of energy a small rider must expend to keep a big, heavy warmblood in front of the leg. While I dearly love my Hanovarian schoolmaster, my next dressage mount is going to be smaller, thinner, and have a stride that is easier for me to sit! Hmmm, seems like I am coming full circle back to the horses I started on when learning dressage, quarter horses and paints. Hopefully other small dressage riders can learn from my experiences when they are choosing their dressage mounts.