I plan on showing D this year if everything goes well. But if not, that's okay, there is always next year. TWH have to be supported in their gait and there are a lot of them that are not helped approriately and actually pace rather than the four-beat gait. There is also an "art" to learning to ride a gaited horse, it takes a while to figure out sometimes, especially on one that isn't as naturally gifted as some others. I had to learn how to do it with Jake, and then honestly, again, have had to learn how to do it with D as she moves quite differently than Jake did. Her gait has more movement than his and is actually more suited to showing. D is very well gaited and is very smooth, but I have been around some that really aren't smooth at all. Depends a lot on their natural talent, conformation, and training.

Ahh I just noticed you mentioned hes a TWH/QH. Most half walkers do not gait well, it's partly because conformationally they are not correct in structure to do a real true four-beat gait. Half gaited when mixed with a non-gaited usually produces a very rough ride, you are right. My friend has a half TWH and half Andalusian, she's like riding an egg beater too hehe. Not a comfortable ride.

Thanks for the nice comments=)