What makes a great equitation horse? According to trainer Don Stewart, the best equitation horses have to want the job. They need to be brave without being spicy, careful without being overly careful, forgiving when their rider makes a mistake, and reliable enough to show up consistently weekend after weekend. Then there’s the partnership. Horse and rider need to trust each other when the questions get harder and the pressure gets higher. And the truly exceptional horses often have something that’s harder to define... what Stewart calls heart, try, or simply the “X-factor.” #theplaidhorse #theplaidcast #donstewart #equitation #equitationhorse #bigeq #medalfinals #maclay #hunterjumper #hunters #showjumping #horseshowing #horsemanship #horseandrider #equestrian #equestrianlife #horsecommunity #horsepeople #ourindustry #horsesofinstagram