2004 Olympic Games - Dressage

Some Said it Couldn't Be Done - But They Said It Could

Andalusians Go Olympic

Rafael explained that there are two parts; one is talent and the other is muscle to do the movements. Their horses needed to build up the muscle. Rafael explained that it is always important to ride the horse in the “classical” way but their horses do have a different expression than the other horses, but that’s okay.

“I think the judges have to see the correct work because it doesn’t exist the perfect horse. Every horse has good points and not so good points. Maybe he can’t get a 9 for a walk but he can get a 9 for a piaffe and passage and in the end when you add up the numbers it works.”

Rafael believes that training in the Airs Above the Ground as a basis for these horses is good. “It’s a good way to start because they get used to the noise, control, and submission and they gain confidence. It’s not so important for the good way of training but I went to Germany for that.”

What they learned when they trained in Germany was how to control the rhythm by using more of the back end and having it come through the neck and also to make the horse use more of what he has. “We learned to improve his muscles and show much better movement and in the process even the passage and piaffe also improved because I can control it more. I am able to have better control of his good points and do the best I can with his weak points (extension and walk).”

Most of all Rafael was pleased that they were able to show that the Andalusian is a superior horse. If you show and train him well, he can be right there.”