Frank's Pg

Frank's MUSIC FILE

The views expressed on Frank's Pg are not all to be taken seriously and are not necessarily the views of Cathy Morelli Dressage, Inc. management, riders, grooms, blacksmiths, horse dentists, or anyone else who knows me.	Pride in our family, and let's have a few laughs if we can. Love, Frank
	Wellington FL, Nov. 28, 2009
	Meet Cathy, our granddaughter Ella (on the pony) and Colin, her brother- the groom. Cathy starts out the men in her family on the proper footing. Learn how to be a good groom, and there is no nobler profession for a husband. Frank
	Needless to say I am so proud of my wife Cathy and BeSe. Not only did they take First Place March 22, 2008 Zada WEF Dressage CDI in Wellington, FL, but also won the Grand Prix class on March 29, 2008 Wellington, FL.
G	Our Grandson Colin
DR114 The Piaffe. 1. The piaffe is a highly collected, cadenced, elevated diagonal movement giving the impression of being in place. The horse’s back is supple and elastic. The quarters are slightly lowered, the haunches with active hocks are well engaged giving great freedom, lightness and mobility to the shoulders and forehand. Each diagonal pair of feet is raised and returned to the ground alternately, with an even cadence. 2. In principle the height of the toe of the raised foreleg should be level with the middle of the cannon bone of the other foreleg. The toe of the raised hind leg should reach just above the fetlock joint of the other hind leg. 3. The neck should be raised and arched, the head vertical. The horse should remain light on the bit with a supple poll maintaining a light and soft contact on a taut rein. The body of the horse should move up and down in a supple, cadenced and harmonious movement. 4. The piaffe must always be animated by a lively impulsion and characterized by a perfect balance. While giving the impression of being in place there may be a visible inclination to advance, this being displayed by the horse’s eager acceptance to move forward as soon as he is asked. The horse is permitted to advance up to one meter forward in the Intermediaire II test. BOD 1/17/10 Effective immediately 5. Moving even slightly backwards, irregular steps, crossing either the fore- or hindlegs or swinging either the forehand or the quarters from one side to the other are serious faults. A movement with hurried and uneven, unlevel or irregular steps without cadence, or spring cannot be called a true piaffe.