Comments on: The Classical Riding Club – Syliva Loch

By: whitewolfe001

whitewolfe001 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:14:02 +0000

kind of off topic… I’m very happy that there is discussion going on about the state of competitive dressage.

But sadly, despite the fact that many of us wish to learn to ride in a classical way, it is really difficult to find instructors who subscribe to gentle methods!

There are plenty of trainers who talk the talk, but don’t know how to walk the walk. I’ve met many very nice trainers who mean well, but then proceed to instruct me with the same old push/pull/kick/whip/deathgrip-on-the-mouth ideas. And so I go back to working on my own because I know that kind of force is not neccessary and I want to develop a harmonious relationship with my horses.

Not all of us can have a Sylvia for a trainer.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:34:57 +0000

Is that “change” on the horizon!?
Sylvia: Thank you for representing the concerns of the public with your wisdom and eloquence. The many images of your horses in your books and videos speak to your expertise. I can think of no better standard for the FEI rules and all of us to humbly strive to meet. Thank you. Thank you.

By: Mary Gilkerson

Mary Gilkerson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:46:18 +0000

Huge round of applause and thanks to Sylvia Loch and the Classical Riding Club for continuing to advocate for the horse and the art of classical riding! Shame on the FEI. It should not have taken the blue tongue video to make them take action, although it remains to be seen if real appropriate action is taken.

By: Lisa Zinzow

Lisa Zinzow — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:30:28 +0000

Thank you, Sylvia! For this letter and for all you do to promote and teach a soft, harmonious, and physically beneficial way of riding our horses. I was originally attracted to dressage years ago when my trainer read statements from the USDF rulebook about the harmony that is sought. I only knew what I was taught and over the years I began to wonder where the softness and harmony where. First I thought it was just that I wasn’t succeeding at what I was being taught and it would come. A new and more sensitive horse, however, showed me that I had to find a different way immediately! (Not that I was being taught anything like rollkur and I didn’t even use a noseband much less a tight one. It just seemed like it was always pushing pushing pushing, more more more.) I’ve been seeking out people with a more classical, softer approach and having a wonderful journey. I’ve been growing more concerned about the sport and the judging. I don’t understand why such incorrect rides are getting such high scores. I have great respect for judges and recognize the difficulty of their job, so I don’t like to criticize. Yet such practices as rollkur would not be an issue if the results were not rewarded in competition. At any rate, the one good thing about this whole blue-tongue incident is that hopefully the FEI and other governing bodies in individual countries will finally be pressured into doing something about it by the outcry.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:09:34 +0000

Thank you Sylvia for being such a great advocate for our horses. Sometimes I am ashamed to be a member of the human race.

By: Tanya Atkins

Tanya Atkins — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:43:05 +0000

ditto
Thankyou Sylvia.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:55:11 +0000

Amen Sister Sylvia!! I am curious to see just exactly HOW seriously the FEI decides to take the reactions posted through social media, and how seriously they take this “investigation.” Three cheers for You Tube and Facebook.

By: Stina Herberg

Stina Herberg — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:45:52 +0000

good post, thanks!

By: Another Sally

Another Sally — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:47:23 +0000

Couldn’t agree more – the day I force my horse to a shape and way of going that is unnatural let alone painful someone please shoot me

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:00:37 +0000

hear, hear