On 2/25/08, Ashley Gallant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> ( > > Let me ask: does the TWH, whose signature gait is the running walk, also > compete and get ribbons/fame for other gaits? <
no. and thats why they started the racking horse association. Walking horses can only runningwalk in shows, racking horses can only rack. Spotted saddle horses tho, qualify as acceptable gaits if they runningwalk, saddle rack, rack, OR stepping pace, which I applaud. I forget how they define it, they may even accept a fox trot. and when they have versatility shows, they have jumping and barrel racing and pole bending. In barrel racing they have to stay in the same gait the whole time and lose seconds off if they break gait. So that way, a galloping horse can lose points for going into a saddle rack, but a stepping pace horse can get good time if they stay in it all the way. I like that. trouble is, and now we are back to the problem full circle---- a judge has to know what they are looking at. I bet if you sent a photo to every single certified icelandic show judge there is and asked them "what gait" 98% would say "toelte" and not have a frikkin clue what gait it is. Not a clue. Nor breeders or trainers either for that matter. I have had them tell me "a saddle rack is a name made up by americans for toelte." ??!? a tolt is a rack for one thing. Its like the other day on another list someone said american names for horse color were "not scientific" whereas the icelandic names are. ?? They are not scientific, they are foreign language. Whether its grullo in america (which is not american actually but spanish, which is ancient) or "blue dun" in english or blankendottir what theheckever in icelandic none of them are "scientific". Lets get real. Icelandic people do NOT know and understand gait enough to identify it. And you can say what you want about the evil biglick people they KNOW a gait when they see one! They may call it "a daisy cutter" or some collquial name but they see it and know it instantly. certified icelandic authorities will look right at a foxtrot and call it tolt. Janice -- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
