Famous
Russian Akhal-Teke stallion Absent won the gold medal in dressage
in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, proving that the Akhal-Teke
can excel in this very difficult and demanding discipline.
Many
amateur riders enjoy riding their Akhal-Tekes in dressage,
at all levels of difficulty.
March
2003, Ramona, CA: "Tickles" (Baryshnikov, AT/Thoroughbred
sport horse) substituted at the very last minute for pasture-mate
Akhal-Teke sport horse stallion Czar Sergei, who was injured
while loading on the day of the show and could not attend
his dressage tests. All the show fees being paid and everyone
ready to go, we took a wild chance and pulled Tickles out
of the pasture, gave him a quick bath and clip, and sent him
off to the show instead. Trainer Debbie Britt-Hay (www.ride2win.com),
who had worked with Czar Sergei for months but had never ridden
Tickles before (although she had coached his owner, Ann, in
lessons), took Tickles into the warm-up ring for 20 minutes
to get acquainted, and then rode him to a 2nd place (out of
9 horses) and a 3rd place (their "warm-up" test)
in First Level and Training Level tests, receiving very high
marks on some of the movements! It was thrilling to see such
talent and adaptability in both rider and horse. —Ann
Laux
Czar
Sergei
Czar
Sergei, a sporthorse stallion directly descended from Absent
(1960 Olympics gold medal winner in Dressage), is shown below
schooling in the dressage ring.
