Speed competition classes

[Steffi]

Do you think it won´t mix up gaits to start in such speed based competitions as barrel-race or pole bending? We often had those classes at the beginning of the European Championship and I did not start it, because the next day I wanted my horse to perform a real slow show-canter and not a mixed up - speedy - crossfireing galopp.

[Sam]

Hi Steffi

Last week we did some barrel racing in the arena at Erikas place. I can't tell you if it does harm the canter as Dancer is not yet that far but what I definitely know it is soooo much fun! The second time we did it Dancer already knew when to give speed and he enjoyed it a lot. After that I was working him in his galopp and I could not feel that he would want to start racing. He was just listening to my riding signals and those told him that the race is over now and he accepted.
If you look at reining horses those also must differentiate between lope and very fast galopp and have no problem with it. I think it is a training issue.

[Steffi]

Hi Sam,
I do not think that the speed is the problem, but the fast turns with hard lead changes (often only half changes with crossfire galopp), sometimes hard rein-aids, and all that.

[Walkinattwilight]

I have owned several TWH that have competed as speed eventers and also showed in pleasure classes years ago. If the horse understands your cues and is trained in both events properly they can be winners at both. It would be no different for a quarter horse to do both speed events and show in western pleasure. I have always used separate equipment for speed events including leg protection. My horses identified this equipment change as "ok, now it's time to run!"