International WEG new kids on the block horse nations article on Chilean horses competing in reining at WEG. horsenation/2014/08/28/international-weg-reining-the-new-kids-on-the-block/ So what are these international teams riding? Quarter horses, for the most part–the European countries are working hard to develop their breeding programs and have been producing some quality animals capable of putting their riders on the medal podium. The 2014 WEG is a big step up in terms of native horsepower from the 2010 Kentucky competition, in which many of the overseas teams borrowed horses supplied by the United States with a week or two to get to know them. (That’s a heck of a catch ride.) Of course there are many competitors this year who are training in the United States but riding for their native country–but there’s an equal number riding their very own homebred-in-Europe American Quarter Horses. That’s two big things that the US has exported for the horse world. But even more fascinating were the Chileans this year–their first year competing in the World Equestrian Games in reining. Chile has found that its own native-bred Chilean horse is very talented in the reining pen. The Chilean horse is an Iberian-descended stock horse, used extensively on the ranch for working cattle. Unlike the Quarter horse, who has been refined through outcrosses with other breeds, the Chilean horse has remained pure thanks to the oldest registry in the Americas, far pre-dating the Quarter horse. They reminded me of an Andalusian, but stocky and compact for working a cow–a unique but memorable combination. With a ranching pedigree it makes sense that these hardy and athletic animals would shine in the reining arena. Two Chilean individuals competed this year on homebred Chilean stallions, and though neither qualified for Saturday night’s final they set a great standard for Chile to look to beat in 2018. They will get there. The trainers need to refine their horses up a bit more under saddle. To think that they made it to WEG is an accomplishment in itself for the promotion of the breed.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 06:29:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015