The Spanish Walk is often performed by Baroque style horses -- Andalusians, Freesians, and Luisitanos. It is very dramatic!
The Spanish Walk is a movement about which many people consider to be a trick, used only in performances (mostly by Baroque horses, such as Andalusians). It is a slow, elevated walk where the movement of the front legs very high and extended well out in front of the body.
Very few “dressage” riders train the movement because, while it does show a degree of collection, it is a movement that can be very disuniting for the horse (the front legs can end up working quite differently than the hind end). But there are some benefits to it as well. It can help enhance freedom through the shoulders and, when trained properly, can help teach collection.
Its roots are classical. The Spanish Walk was trained as far back as the Romans and it’s been part of the Haute Ecole for centuries.
Here’s an example of a horse that has excellent technique. Note that in this case the horse continues to, well, walk. In many of the exhibitions where this movement is performed the walk is sacrificed and the horse merely picks its front legs up high.
Welcome to the September Blog Carnival of Horses! This month we have a great selection of postings from some of my favorite blogs and a whole bunch of new ones that I can already see will become favorites. What this really drives home to me (and which mystifies my spouse) is that when it comes to horses, there is just so much to write about! Thanks to everyone who sent in a post. If you missed the September issue, don’t forget the 
) but here it is!”
Have you been watching Burghley?
Caroline Powell and Lenamore lead the field after XC.
I have and it’s been absolutely fantastic. Burghley TV allows you to watch each rider/horse individually and I really appreciate being able to follow the horse around the course rather than moving back and forth between riders. The quality of the video is very good.
After cross country, Caroline Powell from New Zealand is in the lead on Lenamore, a 17 year old gelding. Lenamore stands at a relatively small 15.3″ — Many of the horses going ’round are 16.3″ plus but he made the big jumps look easy.
In second place is last year’s winner, Oliver Townend on Carousel Quest and William Fox-Pitt is in third place with Seacookie.
Here’s a YouTube highlights video from the XC with interviews with the top 3.
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Posted in Commentary, Competition, Cross Country, Eventing
Tagged Eventing, Burghley Horse Trials, Oliver Townend, Carousel Quest, Caroline Powell, Lenamore