tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post2643081021852636287..comments2023-10-22T10:34:11.296-05:00Comments on G is for Greta: Cross-post: new Totilas and Mathias video (my thoughts)Dressagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-7207423825559651722011-02-16T18:12:11.800-06:002011-02-16T18:12:11.800-06:00Agreed with the Big Lick as well. Those words nail...Agreed with the Big Lick as well. Those words nail it. I wonder if he'll explode during a ride? Sometimes, no matter how much a horse will want to please, that kind of force is bound to cause pain, and sometimes that pain will reach a point where it can't be alleviated, and then when they're in pain and being asked to use as much as a GP horse is asked to use, then they just might break down. I hope nothing tragic like that happens to such an incredible horse, but I do wonder sometimes....<br /><br />Maybe I just think too much ;)Dressagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-88157317373900477392011-02-15T17:39:30.212-06:002011-02-15T17:39:30.212-06:00To Checkmark115:
It bothers me that the judges g...To Checkmark115: <br />It bothers me that the judges give him high marks. I would like to see how gorgeous he is when moving freely forward, without exaggerated or robotic movements. <br /><br />Also, I agree with Meghan's comment about his trot resembling the Big-Lick TWH.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-8886909435160755752011-02-15T11:23:12.893-06:002011-02-15T11:23:12.893-06:00From what I've seen of Totilas, he has become ...From what I've seen of Totilas, he has become progressively more cranked-in and pissed off. I agree that he looks very restricted, and I've often wondered what kind of power and ease of movement you would see if he were allowed to move in self carriage. <br /><br />The head bob that is evident in his collected work is proof of the very mechanical way of moving that has been imposed on him. In the extended trot, he resembles a big-lick Tennessee Walking Horse. And we all know how natural that is.Meghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01295839865379604318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-49790070750125355002011-02-13T22:26:19.520-06:002011-02-13T22:26:19.520-06:00Yes, indeed! BTW Klein will look like that QH mare...Yes, indeed! BTW Klein will look like that QH mare one day, just you wait!!!Dressagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-30285182530362088982011-02-13T15:38:01.179-06:002011-02-13T15:38:01.179-06:00Very interesting post. Between these comments and...Very interesting post. Between these comments and the comments on Behind the Bit I don't think anyone disagrees that Totilas isn't quite right in a few areas.<br /><br />I watched the video a few times. I see where the back end is lacking. But it also seems to me what Andrea mentioned, he is being choked to death. It's really sad to see.<br /><br />That QH pic is beautiful inspiration for non-dressage bred breeds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-13989090349482373292011-02-11T23:05:24.972-06:002011-02-11T23:05:24.972-06:00Does it bother you that some think his movement is...Does it bother you that some think his movement is odd or the fact that judges still score him high? Only curious :)Checkmark115https://www.blogger.com/profile/08875106264738444238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-17334061519184060362011-02-11T23:05:24.144-06:002011-02-11T23:05:24.144-06:00AMEN!AMEN!Dressagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-65890685929062672452011-02-11T22:32:36.630-06:002011-02-11T22:32:36.630-06:00Good post. I like Stacey's as well.
If the g...Good post. I like Stacey's as well.<br /><br />If the general opinion of your readers is that Totilas's movement is not something that we wish to strive for with our own horses, why is he scoring so high with the judges? This bothers me. There is a huge disconnect somewhere between the rules, the judging, training a living creature, and a little thing called "art".Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-35687200477530614272011-02-10T17:40:29.049-06:002011-02-10T17:40:29.049-06:00Thank you so much for your thoughts and input. I G...Thank you so much for your thoughts and input. I GREATLY appreciate it :)))))<br /><br />Oh, yes, I forgot to comment on his daily routine (also in that interview wit Gal) but it would've been a bit off-topic. They said they stopped turning him out because he got injured, and they're afraid of him injuring himself again. So, off-topic input is now "go":<br /><br />1. When a horse isn't turned out, then when they ARE turned out, their body isn't used to that much movement, so of COURSE the pony might break if he starts to get his kinks out. Just ask a person giving their horse gradual turnout after an injury. Same thing happens when you haven't worked a horse in a while and then all of the sudden you try and throw him over 4' oxers. He probably will break somewhere somehow. At least, that's my understanding. There are exceptions, but for the most part, well... y'know?<br /><br />2. Allowing a horse to move around and be a HORSE in turnout is a nice break from working. Long-term Stalling can stress them out, and handwalking is still work of sorts because they have be attentive to the handler. Turnout is a mental break, just like going for a walk after being at a desk all day. Mental breaks affect the physical aspects of a horse as well, because if a horse is under stress they can break easily as well. Once again, that's just my understanding. Might be wrong.<br /><br />Seriously, I also wonder how many meds that pony needs to keep him together. It's not healthy. I'm sure there are Grand Prix horses who are allowed normal turnout, and they do just fine. Oooh, like one of the trainers at my barn, her competing Grand Prix Hanoverian does that, and he does quite well!Dressagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-48299715193758944342011-02-10T13:26:52.679-06:002011-02-10T13:26:52.679-06:00Actually I have to agree... I thought he looked wo...Actually I have to agree... I thought he looked worse under Gal. I still think he looks awful but still.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-13892926524292578082011-02-10T12:54:15.675-06:002011-02-10T12:54:15.675-06:00I actually think Totilas looks MORE relaxed under ...I actually think Totilas looks MORE relaxed under Mathias than under Edward. His tail isn't flailing around, his poll is often (not always) the highest point, and his whole demeanor is softer. BUT... his movement still bothers me. To me he looks like a Hackney carriage horse or something - all front-end flash, nothing behind. <br /><br />I have seen videos of him as a youngster and he does NOT go like he does now. All that front-end movement has been built - it's not natural as far as I can tell. So I don't think he's a freak of nature, but I think he's been made to go rather freakishly. I have often wondered what he'd look like if he were ridden in a snaffle bridle in the Training or First level frame.jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-1252884237881595752011-02-10T08:28:17.528-06:002011-02-10T08:28:17.528-06:00I am so glad to see this opinion going around. I w...I am so glad to see this opinion going around. I was starting to feel like the only rider who is not die-hard Totilas all the way. I can't even watch him. It annoys me.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-19862090390119719682011-02-10T06:50:10.414-06:002011-02-10T06:50:10.414-06:00Magnificent indeed! Indeed....
Sad that he has the...Magnificent indeed! Indeed....<br />Sad that he has the life of a champion and NEVER gets to be a horse! I will go back and re-watch video, because when he scored a 92% I must admit, my bottom jaw hit the floor! Also, while I enjoy dressage and attribute my much improved riding skill to a year of lessons, I am a jumper at heart! Perhaps Gal and Totilas have a good reltionship, and that horse would intimidate anyone! Mathias will hopefully pull it together, maybe even uncrank him a bit and put MORE shwang into that trot! Nice post!jacksonsgrrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-80518968451034345472011-02-09T23:20:28.283-06:002011-02-09T23:20:28.283-06:00All trotwork should have a similar tempo and cadan...All trotwork should have a similar tempo and cadance, extensions and collections alike. The sign of a good, correct lengthening/medium/extension is that it can stay in the same rhythm as a working gait but still cover more ground at the same time. But I understand what you are meaning to say, because his extensions are so incredibly false that they cannot possibly be called extensions of any sort. They're just him flinging his front legs higher while going across the diagonal. That horse is being choked to death with his curb and because of it his engine is totally dead and his front end has nowhere to go but up. <br />He is truly a freak of nature. Amazingly talented, but impossibly hard to correctly ride. It will be interesting to see if he can reproduce himself. <br />I read an article about what day-to-day life for Totilas is like, and it includes things like several handwalks a day because he isn't allowed turnout. I wonder how many injections, medications and duct tape solutions happen in that barn to keep him together. Managing a high-end dressage horse is a disturbingly unnatural process. <br /><br />But good lord he is magnificent. It's not his fault he was born freaky.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004597800120575437.post-45001847250090631042011-02-09T23:01:09.201-06:002011-02-09T23:01:09.201-06:00I am SOOOOO glad you posted this! I agree 100%
At ...I am SOOOOO glad you posted this! I agree 100%<br />At first I was like DAMN what a horse...after seeing numerous vids though, I'm like, ugh boring.<br />I commented on Behind The Bits blog too about his trot, funny you said something too. It NEVER looks normal. He is always piaffing or passaging and its all in the front end. Or seemingly so.<br />Oh and btw, loooove that header. I want to know how you made this site! Great pic :)<br />Even his extend trot looks forced and its all in the front. His canter looks...odd. Way to much flash in the front, again.<br />Is it just me or do they ONLY piaffe/passage him? He always looks choked up too, like way to tight of reins. I never really have intently studied vids but now that people are mentioning it, I agree.<br />That QH is phenominal and I cannot believe how amazing she looks. THAT is what an upper level horse should be.<br />With Gal, T looked calmer, but he gained much hype, mostly about that front end of his. I wonder what another grand prix rider thinks about T.Checkmark115https://www.blogger.com/profile/08875106264738444238noreply@blogger.com