|
Post by K8 on Dec 30, 2009 15:24:35 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by happyhacker on Dec 30, 2009 15:31:57 GMT 1
Yes I like this! Look how nice and relaxed the neck muscles are. Not slack but no bulging tension.
|
|
|
Post by jennyb on Dec 30, 2009 15:34:25 GMT 1
Julie - as I said, there is plenty of photos and video clips freely available on the internet of Edward Gal riding this horse, and others, in rollkur. In my mind, there is not a great deal of distinction between the two.
With a little search, you can also find footage of Totilas as a young horse with distinctly less impressive gaits. Rollkur is known for creating leg-movers, and IMHO Totilas is a classic example of a leg mover. Training horses in this manner most often results in premature lameness.
Did you know that rollkur is widely practised in the Netherlands (home of Anky and Sjef, surprise, surprise...), and I was recently told by an instructor and saddle fitter from the Netherlands that the average age of a dressage horse in that country is SEVEN, before they breakdown physically from the bad training and are put to sleep?
Regardless of whether this particular horse is happy and relaxed or not, he has been trained badly IMHO, and the current praise and adoration for him and his gaits and his winning scores frightens the hell out of me, because I can see what will happen with dressage now. Just when I thought the blue tongue video might well be turning things round and creating a storm against rollkur, here comes this "wonder horse" and it's all been forgotten. More circus will ensue....
The gaits are fundamentally flawed IMHO, and that should NOT be rewarded in high level dressage. Shame, as he does present an accurate and calm test otherwise. Arthur Kottas, ex-SRS, had a mic shoved in his face unexpectedly at a recent global dressage forum, and was asked what he thought of a picture of Totilas in extended trot. He replied that he looked like a Tennessee Walking Horse, and he couldn't even tell what pace it was supposed to be.
I'm going to stick my neck out here and say I think it's the responsibility of anyone who ever rides or in any way trains a horse, to educate themselves about the basic biomechanics of a horse and about functional anatomy, and to learn to recognise the purity of the gaits, for the sake of the horse. Gerd Heuschmann's book and DVD are a good start. The book is called Tug of War and the DVD is called If Horses Could Speak. Gerd is in the UK in September giving a series of clinics and lectures. I will be riding my young horse there, putting myself in front of a big audience and opening myself up for criticism! He will be six then and has had a long time off work with an injury this year, so by no means will be a finished article and might well be naughty, but I think a lot of Gerd and am willing to put myself into the lion's den to get his opinion on my horse, lol!
|
|
|
Post by happyhacker on Dec 30, 2009 15:47:26 GMT 1
Would love to see Gerd Heuschmann at work. Do you know if he is doing an clinics in the North West.
|
|
hammie
Advanced Poster
Posts: 448
|
Post by hammie on Dec 30, 2009 15:47:47 GMT 1
I preferred this that was linked on Heather's facebook group. The horse to me looks fairly relaxed is not sweating or frothing at the mouth, has a more relxed general demenour to me. There is an interview first and it is a routine to music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ftScq_bUsHave to agree, I much prefer this one too. I didn't like the first link actually, the horse looks forced and unnatural, this one looks relaxed and graceful
|
|
Silversons
Grand Prix Poster
Holgado II
Posts: 1,568
|
Post by Silversons on Dec 30, 2009 15:47:53 GMT 1
Jenny do you have details of the clinics and lectures???
|
|
|
Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Dec 30, 2009 15:47:59 GMT 1
Thats the author's name i couldn't remember thanks jennyb!! the book is brilliant and an eye opener to how horses move and their muscular-skeletal structure etc. Its easy to read and understand and doesn't blind you with too much science (if I can understand it most people can ). I wanted to mention in my earlier post that horses are expected to perform far too young and most of them haven't matured properly, mentally & physically. I really disagree with young horse classess. In many respects I am pleased for all the problems I have had with my youngster as it has made be realise that you can't rush them and they will last a lot longer if you take it easy with them, plus, all the problems I have had led me to IH ;D +'s all round.
|
|
|
Post by jennyb on Dec 30, 2009 15:57:51 GMT 1
I agree with you re young horse classes nantesse! They make me cringe. I bet a lot of people will be looking at my six year old and thinking he isn't very advanced, but hey, I hope he'll last me another twenty years or so if I take it steady! Gerd H is mainly doing clinics at the Unicorn Trust in Stow on the Wold. I don't have a link with details at the moment but I'll post it if I can find one
|
|
|
Post by jennyb on Dec 30, 2009 16:00:31 GMT 1
Found this: Dr Gerd Heuschmann will be visiting the UK from the 6th – 10th September 2010. The timetable will be as follows: September 2010 6th – Evening Lecture 5pm – 8pm 7th – Clinic Day 10am – 5pm 8th – Clinic Day 10am – 5pm 9th – Clinic Day 10am – 5pm 10th - Half clinc day and Afternoon Lecture 10am – 6pm The lectures and clinics will take place in a venue on the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire Border. The final day is likely to take place in Oxford. The evening lectures have limited seating capacity – please contact the address below if you would like to reserve a ticket. There are riding spaces available on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th – again please contact the address below for more info. There are spectator tickets available for all these days. ‘Dr Heuschmann will present a lecture regarding the biomechanics of the horse. The background of the classical riding principals is based on this biomechanical knowledge. "The Horse's Anatomy Determines Its Way of Training" is a lecture, which explains the classical riding principals (written, for example, in the "Richtlinen der Deutschen Reiterlichen Vereinigung" (FN) / Guidelines of the German Federation) from a biomechanical point of view. Based on this we investigate advantages as well as disadvantages of training philosophies.’ Dr Heuschmann will also be taking a 4 day clinic where he will teach and help riders with their training. For more information please email equinethos@hotmail.com Not sure if there are any rider places left or not. In all honesty I am bricking myself a bit about riding at such a big clinic, but never mind, I'm sure it will be worth it and I can get some useful tips for Gazdag!
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Dec 30, 2009 16:11:00 GMT 1
Arthur Kottas, ex-SRS, had a mic shoved in his face unexpectedly at a recent global dressage forum, and was asked what he thought of a picture of Totilas in extended trot. He replied that he looked like a Tennessee Walking Horse, and he couldn't even tell what pace it was supposed to be. Now the first thing that came into my mind when I saw extended trot was a cyclist! A penny farthing cyclist too for some reason. My feeling is surely something beautiful and 'right' will appeal to everyones eyes... if it needs an 'expert eye' to appreciate beauty then imo something is wrong somewhere. Video and photos especially are difficult as you don't get the whole picture but I've watched a few of Totilas now as well as other GP horses and I still see something un natural I'm afraid. I will say that the more times I've watched that particular clip of Totilas the less I'm noticing the oddness I saw initially so I may be 'getting my eye in'?? Or I just may be getting used to the picture.
|
|
|
Post by gnasherboy on Dec 30, 2009 16:19:00 GMT 1
Well i for one loved it! Totilas is a beautiful and superb young horse and looks like he trying hard for his talented and sympathetic rider. Truly breathtaking to watch.
|
|
|
Post by peppertop on Dec 30, 2009 16:40:29 GMT 1
Dr. Gerd Heuschman is also at the TTT trust near Surrey on the 9th and 10th Oct. You can find details on here www.ttttrust.com/programme.asp They also have Arthur Kottas and Charles de Kunnfy doing clinics throughout the year. I am on the trainers scheme there and it is a great place. This is a bit about them Welcome to the Training The Teachers of Tomorrow (TTT) The TTT is an educational foundation, dedicated to the careers of trainers and riders. Throughout the year there is an extensive and comprehensive programme of clinics, lecture/demonstrations and seminars, which take place at East Whipley Farm. The Trust was set up by Tom and Jennifer Sewell at their Farm in Surrey in 1987. They saw talented youngsters who were struggling to build careers whilst making ends meet, but who did not have access to the top-class training they deserved. Tom and Jennifer decided to create a forum for the education of those truly dedicated equestrians, to improve their knowledge, their riding and their teaching skills, all with the best interests of the horse as a guiding principle. The TTT has a Training Ladder which is made up of the following building blocks: Workshops and Seminars, Senior Instructor Clinics and Assessments, International Clinics, Lecture/Demonstrations, and a specific Trainers’ Scheme. We encourage all our members to participate as much as possible in every aspect of the programme, as it is our aim to create an education experience that goes beyond pure “riding lessons”. Membership of the Trust is not confined to Instructors and Judges. It is open to all who are eager to expand their knowledge and skills and to further their understanding of the correct training of horse and rider as practiced by the great Masters of Equitation. The TTT has both Riding and Non-Riding Members and all receive the same welcome. See Membership for details - All our events are also open to non-Members as spectators.
|
|
|
Post by troop on Dec 30, 2009 16:53:00 GMT 1
i absolutely love anja beran xx
|
|
|
Post by K8 on Dec 30, 2009 16:59:20 GMT 1
i got anja's new DVD for christmas.. very excited to watch!
|
|
|
Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 30, 2009 16:59:36 GMT 1
Arthur Kottas, ex-SRS, had a mic shoved in his face unexpectedly at a recent global dressage forum, and was asked what he thought of a picture of Totilas in extended trot. He replied that he looked like a Tennessee Walking Horse, and he couldn't even tell what pace it was supposed to be. Well I could not agree more I actually had to look up the horse's breeding as I thought it looked just that At least I now know I was in good company
|
|