helent623 wrote:
I admit, when someone brings up that they ride "classical dressage" w/out being asked, I throw up a little. 99% of these people aren't even close to the level where 'classical' diverges from what's seen in the ring, but nevertheless have the idea that the trotting in circles that they do is somehow superior to when other people trot in circles. Whew. That feels better.
And to weigh in on the trail riding discussion, I can and do take my 3rd/4th level dressage horse on trails but there's a reason I only bring my ipod when I'm out of the arena. I need some entertainment. But then again the trails only get so exciting in OH so that may be it.

Haha- that is so true! If someone tells me they are into classical dressage, my immediate assumption is that they have been at training level for like, about 10 years, and are using this term to justify why they haven't progressed (oh the unfathomably mysteries of the classical training scale)