2003 Dressage at Devon

Parelli Wins Dressage Horse Suitability Class for Six-Year Old Horses

There is a big difference between presenting a horse in hand and showing it under saddle. In hand, you get a horse moving in almost total freedom, under saddle you get a horse that has been trained into moving in a special way. Its natural gaits have changed by building up of muscles and giving it more balance and self-carriage. Therefore, one of the more interesting classes at the Devon Breed Show are the under saddle classes such as the Dressage Horse Suitability classes for four, five and six year old horses.

Winning the suitability class for six-year old horses on Wednesday September 24, 2003 at Dressage at Devon was the very promising youngster Parelli. Ridden by Tamara Majors, Parelli showed very rhythmical basic gaits. The dark bay gelding had a good overstride in the walk on free reins, but came close to pacing in the collected walk. Parelli's canter was very ground covering and he opened his frame well in the extensions. Parelli, who is by Juventus out of Hobo (by Chronos), is bred by W. Vissers and owned by DG Bar Ranch.

Mohn Blume, a divine Oldenburg mare by Don Gregory out of Meeranka (by Rouletto) finished second in that class, but she deserved the blue ribbon as well. Mohn Blume was the most relaxed, most balanced horse of the group. She has a strong canter but moved very consistently and flowing in all three basic gaits. For a 6-year old, she could have been a bit more uphill though. Mohn Blume is owned by Barbara Jacob and bred in Germany by Gerd Schubert.

In third place was Far-a-field Acres' My Love, a Holsteiner mare by Love Affair x Merano bred by Lieselott Wiendieck. Rider Hokan Thorn highlighted the mare's very large walk and overall suppleness, but he could have been more steady with his hands as My Love was testing the bit its connection with the rider's hands.

Placing sixth, but showing incredible talent, was the Hanoverian x Thoroughbred cross Lallegro. The dapple gray gelding resembles the international Grand Prix horse Gestion Jup (by Democraat). Lallegro showed excellent suspension in the trot, he had a flowing walk, but the canter could have been more off the ground. Lallegro is by La Express out of Chant and is owned by Tara Celentano.

by Astrid Appels

Related Links
Back to the 2003 Dressage at Devon Index
Scores of Class 29B: Suitable to become a Dressage Horse (6-year olds)