ANSWER:
True brilliance has to come as a result of suppleness, balance and straightness, so that none of the horse's energy is swallowed by friction that is caused by imbalance or stiffness (or rider error), and none of the energy is lost through false bends. The resulting brilliance will increase to the extent that the horse becomes stronger, and it is determined by the horse's natural talent. Not every horse's conformation allows for high knee action or a hind leg lift that almost touches the belly in the extended trot and the passage. Correct brilliance has a certain softness and fluidity, because all joints flex and extend. The footfalls are consequently almost noiseless, since the supple joints absorb the impact of the leg on the ground.
Fake brilliance that is achieved by force looks jerky and unnatural, because the flashy movement comes out of stiffness and resistance, instead of suppleness and balance. The footfalls will be much more audible, since the joints don't really absorb the force of the impact of the leg on the ground, and the legs are put down more forcefully, too. You also have to expect a much higher injury rate among the incorrectly trained horses.
- Thomas Ritter
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Last Update: February 25, 2007