Comments on: Putting “Classical” Back Into Competition Dressage – Joni Bentley http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage 'Enough is Enough'! Speak up NOW to stop this cruelty... Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:47:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Allan Buck http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-1533 Allan Buck Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:47:02 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-1533 Great article. The fact that FEI and USEF refuse to acknowledge Dr. Heuschmann's precepts, it is obvious that FEI and USEF are not actually interested in the health and welfare of the horse. Dr. Heuschmann must continue to stand up for the horses. It is sad when their egos get in the way of making honest hard decisions predicated upon protecting the horses. What has happened to their individual value of integrity. “Integrity” ‘An uncompromising adherence to a code of moral, artistic, or other values: utter sincerity, honesty, & candor: avoidance of deception, expediency, artificiality, or shallowness of any kind’ Clearly showing this is also the fact that these organizations blatantly refuse to learn and/or acknowledge the number one muscle injury in horses, tetanic contractions. It is safe to say that at the World Equestrian Games in excess of 60% of the horses will be suffering from tetanic contractions in one or more regions of their bodies. Great article.
The fact that FEI and USEF refuse to acknowledge Dr. Heuschmann’s precepts, it is obvious that FEI and USEF are not actually interested in the health and welfare of the horse. Dr. Heuschmann must continue to stand up for the horses.

It is sad when their egos get in the way of making honest hard decisions predicated upon protecting the horses. What has happened to their individual value of integrity.
“Integrity”
‘An uncompromising adherence to a code of moral, artistic, or other values: utter sincerity, honesty, & candor: avoidance of deception, expediency, artificiality, or shallowness of any kind’

Clearly showing this is also the fact that these organizations blatantly refuse to learn and/or acknowledge the number one muscle injury in horses, tetanic contractions. It is safe to say that at the World Equestrian Games in excess of 60% of the horses will be suffering from tetanic contractions in one or more regions of their bodies.

]]> By: Elizabeth Hanson http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-1273 Elizabeth Hanson Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:43:03 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-1273 Great article. I would like to take the conversation to the next step - the health and fitness of the rider. First of all I must say that I have never met a person who intentionally wanted to hurt their horse. (Yes - unfortunately there are some out there, but I don't think this is the bulk of the riders.) I believe these "mistakes" come more from a lack of understanding or an adherence to "how its supposed to look" than any thing else. We all need to get out there and educate as many people as possible so everyone can have magical experiences with their horses when both they and their horses are in balanced movement with another. My personal goal is to get as many riders as possible to understand how their body affects the movement of the horse. Only when the rider's body is in balance can the horse be in balance too. It's not gadgets and artificial aids that should get us there. I'm personally surprised by how many people who do not realize that their own fitness affects their ride. It is not only the horse that is the athlete. Riders are athletes too. We can't just sit there and expect the horse to do it all for us. My business is EQUESTRIAN PILATES and I work with equestrian athletes to help them understand how their movement dramatically affects the horse. I am surprised at how many out of shape equestrians are out there. It is ironic to me that we spend all of this time doing what's best for our horses and we don't look at the other half of the team. US. Horses are amazing animals - they don't want us to fall off - but when we bounce and move all over the place they have to accommodate these errors and they end up moving incorrectly to accommodate our mistakes. Often the end result is that our horses are sore and injured. And when you look at injuries in horses you can often correlate them to how the rider rides. For example, most people are right handed and sit into their right seat bone more than their left. It is not a coincidence that horses often have issues in their hip joints as a result of this uneven riding. And again, I don't think people ever do this on purpose - they just don't realize it is happening and therefore they don't have the ability to fix it. So what's the solution? I think it's education. Because when it's done correctly the feeling is amazing. And who doesn't want that?!? Let's all team together and build healthy partnerships with our horses! Great article. I would like to take the conversation to the next step – the health and fitness of the rider.

First of all I must say that I have never met a person who intentionally wanted to hurt their horse. (Yes – unfortunately there are some out there, but I don’t think this is the bulk of the riders.) I believe these “mistakes” come more from a lack of understanding or an adherence to “how its supposed to look” than any thing else.

We all need to get out there and educate as many people as possible so everyone can have magical experiences with their horses when both they and their horses are in balanced movement with another.

My personal goal is to get as many riders as possible to understand how their body affects the movement of the horse. Only when the rider’s body is in balance can the horse be in balance too. It’s not gadgets and artificial aids that should get us there.

I’m personally surprised by how many people who do not realize that their own fitness affects their ride. It is not only the horse that is the athlete. Riders are athletes too. We can’t just sit there and expect the horse to do it all for us.

My business is EQUESTRIAN PILATES and I work with equestrian athletes to help them understand how their movement dramatically affects the horse. I am surprised at how many out of shape equestrians are out there. It is ironic to me that we spend all of this time doing what’s best for our horses and we don’t look at the other half of the team. US. Horses are amazing animals – they don’t want us to fall off – but when we bounce and move all over the place they have to accommodate these errors and they end up moving incorrectly to accommodate our mistakes. Often the end result is that our horses are sore and injured.

And when you look at injuries in horses you can often correlate them to how the rider rides. For example, most people are right handed and sit into their right seat bone more than their left. It is not a coincidence that horses often have issues in their hip joints as a result of this uneven riding. And again, I don’t think people ever do this on purpose – they just don’t realize it is happening and therefore they don’t have the ability to fix it.

So what’s the solution? I think it’s education. Because when it’s done correctly the feeling is amazing. And who doesn’t want that?!?

Let’s all team together and build healthy partnerships with our horses!

]]> By: Georgina http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-732 Georgina Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:03:53 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-732 I have Gerd's book, it s horrific to see the damage inflicted on these poor horses, they try so hard for us & its terrible cruelty to force these un-natural outlines. We recently visited Spain and purchased 2 young spanish horses, the 3 year old had been broken and ridden in the most lovely way & he has the most fantastic mouth and attitude of any horse we have owned. It was lovely to see the classical masters at work with their animals and not a draw rein or gadget in site !!! More articles, more people riding and learning in a more natural way - I am sure it will turn around soon. Keep up the good work I have Gerd’s book, it s horrific to see the damage inflicted on these poor horses, they try so hard for us & its terrible cruelty to force these un-natural outlines.
We recently visited Spain and purchased 2 young spanish horses, the 3 year old had been broken and ridden in the most lovely way & he has the most fantastic mouth and attitude of any horse we have owned. It was lovely to see the classical masters at work with their animals and not a draw rein or gadget in site !!!
More articles, more people riding and learning in a more natural way – I am sure it will turn around soon.
Keep up the good work

]]> By: Terrie http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-642 Terrie Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:15:37 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-642 Unfortunately time and money seem to still be the issue for competition. I am not so sure that will change quickly, which is sad for the horses and for our sport (or passion). The less time it takes to get a horse to GP and competing and winning the better. It's become more of a business and the horses are just tools way too often. For those of us that have carefully followed classical principle in training our beloved horses, sitting on the sidelines and not showing because we know we'll not stand a chance of winning, having this now come out into the open is highly refreshing. I often wondered, and once asked my trainer, if the judges would even recognize good and correct riding if they saw it in a test, let alone be brave enough to reward it? I won't comment on his answer. When all this hoopla over rollkur began I made a decision to start showing even though I actually hate competitions. I honestly feel it's high time classical riding be shown for all to watch, especially at the smaller local shows. We have to give back to our love of the horse by inspiring our young riders to follow a better way, don't we? Yes, thank you to Gerd and Joni!! Unfortunately time and money seem to still be the issue for competition. I am not so sure that will change quickly, which is sad for the horses and for our sport (or passion). The less time it takes to get a horse to GP and competing and winning the better. It’s become more of a business and the horses are just tools way too often.

For those of us that have carefully followed classical principle in training our beloved horses, sitting on the sidelines and not showing because we know we’ll not stand a chance of winning, having this now come out into the open is highly refreshing.

I often wondered, and once asked my trainer, if the judges would even recognize good and correct riding if they saw it in a test, let alone be brave enough to reward it? I won’t comment on his answer.

When all this hoopla over rollkur began I made a decision to start showing even though I actually hate competitions. I honestly feel it’s high time classical riding be shown for all to watch, especially at the smaller local shows.

We have to give back to our love of the horse by inspiring our young riders to follow a better way, don’t we?

Yes, thank you to Gerd and Joni!!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-565 Sarah Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:30:20 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-565 What an excellent and valuable contribution. I wonder how we can join together more effectively, it sometimes feels as though the barriers to change are insurmountable. I am sorry to hear you have been negatively challenged Joni, the negative energy holding certain idea's and principles in place is a powerful force field indeed, however, it is not as powerful as the truth and spirit of the horse, which carries with it centuries of historical humility and grace. I feel something remarkable is taking place. We are in the process of bringing light and life to a new way of thinking, this will temporarily magnify resistance before change takes place, if you consider that this change is not happening quickly enough for you, go and stand next to a horse for ten minutes and resonate with their authentic presence in the huge scheme of things, the world is always turning. What an excellent and valuable contribution. I wonder how we can join together more effectively, it sometimes feels as though the barriers to change are insurmountable. I am sorry to hear you have been negatively challenged Joni, the negative energy holding certain idea’s and principles in place is a powerful force field indeed, however, it is not as powerful as the truth and spirit of the horse, which carries with it centuries of historical humility and grace. I feel something remarkable is taking place. We are in the process of bringing light and life to a new way of thinking, this will temporarily magnify resistance before change takes place, if you consider that this change is not happening quickly enough for you, go and stand next to a horse for ten minutes and resonate with their authentic presence in the huge scheme of things, the world is always turning.

]]> By: Dorothy http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-516 Dorothy Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:46:54 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-516 how about if everyone in the UK makes a commitment (New Year's resolution!) to find and support a CRC competition or other event? this would give the Club real momentum, Please support those who are working towards a real alternative! how about if everyone in the UK makes a commitment (New Year’s resolution!) to find and support a CRC competition or other event? this would give the Club real momentum, Please support those who are working towards a real alternative!

]]> By: Roll Call of Riders against Roll Kur http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-509 Roll Call of Riders against Roll Kur Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:58:55 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-509 The Classical Riding Club has been working against the hyperflexion of the horse in all riding disciplines (but particularly in dressage) for the past 14 years. It was why we started the Club - with an initial Petition agains the use of drawreins... it wasn't called rollkur then. There is all the difference between hyperflexion as shown in Joni's excellent article and working the horse soft, low and deep with the nose not pulled back. I am not trying to sell my books on here but my Dressage In Lightness published in 2000 addresses all this and more. As regards our system of judging dressage and using marksheets that make it almost impossible to ride as some of these competitors are doing (if they did they would come bottom!)yes, we are working hard towards this end. I would welcome a public debate with Joni and Gerd so that we can all be seen to be united on this front. It worries me that too many classical trainers seem to claim 'classical and correct' as their own. Good, light riding has been around for centuries. We must get together to show this before we can condemn the bad. Sylvia Loch The Classical Riding Club has been working against the hyperflexion of the horse in all riding disciplines (but particularly in dressage) for the past 14 years. It was why we started the Club – with an initial Petition agains the use of drawreins… it wasn’t called rollkur then. There is all the difference between hyperflexion as shown in Joni’s excellent article and working the horse soft, low and deep with the nose not pulled back.
I am not trying to sell my books on here but my Dressage In Lightness published in 2000 addresses all this and more.
As regards our system of judging dressage and using marksheets that make it almost impossible to ride as some of these competitors are doing (if they did they would come bottom!)yes, we are working hard towards this end.
I would welcome a public debate with Joni and Gerd so that we can all be seen to be united on this front. It worries me that too many classical trainers seem to claim ‘classical and correct’ as their own. Good, light riding has been around for centuries. We must get together to show this before we can condemn the bad. Sylvia Loch

]]> By: Dorothy http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-508 Dorothy Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:12:16 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-508 Kris, there is an organisation in the UK which does just what you suggest, it is Sylvia Loch's Classical Riding Club, which puts on competitions in which you can ride bitless or any bit of your choice (excepting gags) and you get bonus points for riding in a simple snaffle with a cavesson noseband and no whip or spurs! Horses are judged on their way of going relevant to their breed and type, and more emphasis is put on rider effectiveness. The sadness is that it is poorly supported, and competitions are few and far between - I tried really hard to get these tests run by my local dressage group, and had virtually no entries. Kris, there is an organisation in the UK which does just what you suggest, it is Sylvia Loch’s Classical Riding Club, which puts on competitions in which you can ride bitless or any bit of your choice (excepting gags) and you get bonus points for riding in a simple snaffle with a cavesson noseband and no whip or spurs! Horses are judged on their way of going relevant to their breed and type, and more emphasis is put on rider effectiveness.
The sadness is that it is poorly supported, and competitions are few and far between – I tried really hard to get these tests run by my local dressage group, and had virtually no entries.

]]> By: kris anderson http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-496 kris anderson Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:03:48 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-496 I think there are a lot of riders and trainers out there who are going to be very, very ashamed of what they did to their horses, if/when they ever discover how easy it is to get a horse to cooperate without using so much pressure. Maybe one of the first steps should be to revise FEI rules to better reflect current advances in training, or better yet, start new organizations that would offer plain snaffle or bitless/whipless/spurless competitions? It's always possible that once people noticed how much fun it is to ride and train horses in the abscence of severe aversives, and how calm and happy the horses are, that more would be willing to give up the grandstanding to participate in horse friendly competitions? The time may be right.... Kris I think there are a lot of riders and trainers out there who are going to be very, very ashamed of what they did to their horses, if/when they ever discover how easy it is to get a horse to cooperate without using so much pressure.

Maybe one of the first steps should be to revise FEI rules to better reflect current advances in training, or better yet, start new organizations that would offer plain snaffle or bitless/whipless/spurless competitions?

It’s always possible that once people noticed how much fun it is to ride and train horses in the abscence of severe aversives, and how calm and happy the horses are, that more would be willing to give up the grandstanding to participate in horse friendly competitions?

The time may be right….

Kris

]]> By: Sharon Foley http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/putting-%e2%80%9cclassical%e2%80%9d-back-into-competition-dressage/comment-page-1#comment-493 Sharon Foley Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:08:49 +0000 http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/?p=530#comment-493 Keep talking, keep making noise. You are reaching more people who care than you can know. Keep talking, keep making noise. You are reaching more people who care than you can know.

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