Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Illustration of "the auction trot"

To me this pretty much defines the auction trot. The Europeans seem to have this kind of video perfected. The mare here is THREE YEARS OLD; she's pretty game, I like her sensibility.




Now compare this with the typical sale video made in the U.S. She's not the same type of horse as the one above, but I think this shows her off to advantage.


12 comments:

  1. I am not a trainer and am certainly not an expert in this stuff BUT ... the European mare is being ridden sitting trot and looks like she is being driven forward from the rider's seat. The bottom mare is ridden rising trot and doesn't have the "forward from behind" look.

    I'm probably totally wrong on this, but the top mare has a "sproing" to her trot that looks fun to ride. The bottom mare is also a nice mover but appears either younger or not as far along in her training.

    Friends get 6-y.o.'s from Europe that are training in PSG. The Europeans seem to "move 'em right along" when the horses are old enough to be backed.

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  2. I really dislike the auction trot. To me it basically shows the trot a horse does when yahooing around turnout only rounder, and if you understand this is not an everyday working trot, it's great to get an idea of potential for the horse to extend as it develops over time. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that's the trot the horse will have all the time right NOW. I actually want to see a normal trot like the second horse has to see what I'm starting with! However, I *really* like that first horse... even if she is a bit "spider legs". :)

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  3. I really dislike the auction trot. To me it basically shows the trot a horse does when yahooing around turnout only rounder, and if you understand this is not an everyday working trot, it's great to get an idea of potential for the horse to extend as it develops over time. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that's the trot the horse will have all the time right NOW. I actually want to see a normal trot like the second horse has to see what I'm starting with! However, I *really* like that first horse... even if she is a bit "spider legs". :)

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  4. Hi, I'm a recent follower. I like that first mare; she has equally good action front and rear. The definition of "auction trot" that I'm used to describes the kind of trot that impresses some, but is incorrect because of being uneven; flamboyantly extravagant in front (with the toe flipping up past ideal) and far less action behind.

    The second mare is blessed to have a rider posting the trot, rather than sitting on her three-year-old back....

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  5. I myself would not even WANT a 6-y.-o. going PSG, and I find it very disappointing that the Europeans see fit to push youngsters so fast. Of course, we're busy doing the very same thing to stock horses and racing TBs over here. :-( All in the name of the almighty dollar. SO not fair to these beautiful and willing beasts...

    I would not mind trying to ride an "auction trot" on an OLDER, slowly-brought-along horse, because it sure looks like fun. But at that age, let them just do it on their own in turnout like Net says.

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  6. I wish the "auction trot" video shows more of the walk. I would like to see if the horse stretch and have a free walk like the end of the other one.

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  7. I cant believe that first horse is THREE. What, did they begin riding her when she was a weanling?!
    I cant believe euro's ride their dressage horses that young. Not good for the nody or mind.
    Saying that, that is the biggest 3yo Ive ever seen. And she is nice :) Despite the overridden overexaggerated Totilas trot she has

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  8. 3 years old and already going in a frame like that? While she looks up to it, I do wonder if that mare will stay sound over time if no one takes the time to develop her musculature.

    I would like to see her back lifted more behind the saddle as it's one of those examples of a horse so well bred to move that she doesn't have to use herself really well to look spectacular. She is quite a looker.

    That being said, the second horse looks to be rounded and working more over her back. She is not the "mover" the first horse is, but if she too is young, then she is more where I might expect a horse to be in its training.

    I guess my notion of training is different than the Europeans.

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  9. Strange; I posted a comment earlier and it hasn't shown up, but I am getting all other comments emailed to me as requested! Oh well, my comment was that the definition of "auction trot" that I am familiar with is the unbalanced trot that is extravagant and toe-flipping with the front legs without equal activity behind. The first mare is extraordinary in that she is equally active front and rear, never "flips" her toes, and has tremendous suspension - not what I've come to understand as a "auction trot" that impresses some people but is incorrect. Will she hold up? Only time and good riding will tell. Is she the better moving three-year-old? Without a doubt!

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  10. In Sweden what I'm used to call an 'auction trot' is a pushed medium trot, a too fast trot... It's only used to show of the gates of the horse on auctions, sales movies and so on. I'm guessing that people do it because the horses aren’t ready to show off a real extended gate and they want to show that the horse moves really well.

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  11. Not a fan of the top horse - not the fault of the horse but it looks over-produced at such a young age. Also don't like the rider's position, she sits so far back in the saddle, forcing her legs forward.

    I much prefer the overall look of the second horse and rider. It's not showy but it's more genuine, I think.

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  12. If the training pyramid is supposed to develop musculature from the inside out, my long money goes on the US horse.

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