“My therapist tells me that if I share my issues with you I will feel better, so here goes: Can anybody around here ride in anything other than a flash noseband that has been pulled so tight it leaves a depression in the horse’s nose when the noseband is released?”
I’ll leave these wise men to explain the overall importance of simplicity and hopefully you may glean how it relates to the aids we use in riding.
If you want to be truly competitive, lauded for your achievements at awards ceremonies and even have a shot at Olympic Gold now is the time to learn Rollkur.
Heard of François de la Gueriniére? Okay, that’s good.
If you are unaware of what is termed “Rollkur” or hyperflexion of the neck, it is time you knew what has been plaguing much of Dressage and has been the subject of controversy since its inception.
Horse Talk.co.nz published a new story which talks about a new study that was performed showing that horses not only choose normal poll flexion when given a choice while maneuvering, their physiological reaction to stressful stimulation is comparatively lower when compared to their reaction while in hyperflexion.
“Economic despair was brought to a new reality Wednesday, when NorCal Equine Rescue sponsored a free euthanasia clinic for horses.”
For those in the know, Philippe Karl is one of the modern Masters of Classical Dressage. For those who do not know, he will just seem a foreign concept. Perhaps it is time you learned more about this modern Master of the Equestrian Arts… Now you can read his article “Taking Over Equestrian Culture” online.
Perhaps fitting, yesterday was my birthday, and I was born in the year 1984… the same year that Reiner Klimke scored the Olympic Gold Medal aboard his Westfalian gelding, Ahlerich. Here is a tempting video, highlighting their victory lap at the Olympic Games.
And, in case you weren’t privy to the show live or watched it previously, or maybe you just want to watch it again… here is the winning video of Reiner Klimke riding Ahlerich to Gold at the 1984 Olympic Equestrian Games.
Ever have the curiosity about someone who not only pursues academically, but artistically, that of Classical Dressage? The haute ecole, equestrian art, etc? Bettina Drummond, an American, student of Nuno Oliveira… Here it is for you, hope you can understand French. Cest la vie!
How do we create change to affect horse owners and breeders, to impact them on a level that brings about responsible ownership, care, training, retirement of older horses, as well as the knowledgeable insight to breed quality horses vs. large quantities of horses. Can this be a change by only a handful of people?
For anyone not familiar with the french mastery of equestrian theater, The Theatre Equestre Zingaro is perhaps the epitome of horsemanship made into art and displayed in a public theater. It’s latest production, Battuta, appears to leave one wanting only for more horse theater!
What do I mean by stunts? Well, things like using so much pressure on the horse that he will eventually blow up, but as a professional having enough tact and skill to manage the blow up and keep it from being something dangerous. That is a great stunt that is really common, but when put in the hands of those without the tactful skills it turns into a mess.
Well, here I am thinking these are covering the bases, helping keep my horse’s backs from injury, but perhaps in my own happy congruence of ignorance I was causing more harm than help.
Good to see a horse so personable and who has such a relationship with his rider! I hope everyone is looking forward to the games as much as I am…
What we see in the competitive arena are collected movements that look like collection, act like collection, are called collection and scored as though they are collection, but there is that vital thing missing – the reality of collection.
I caught this one on my way out the door for the day, and it put a smile on my face. Simple, easy, enjoyable. Reminded me of starting my first horse, minus two blondes… Oh, and for those that think this is a dig at the hair pigment challenged… fyi, I’m a (natural) blonde myself.