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Post by holi on Dec 22, 2005 11:39:19 GMT 1
Surely this highlights the difference between classical and competetive dressage. I know which I support and must admit that I have seen rider/horse combinations at top competitions that make me cringe. It was noticeable that a lot of the horses doing the Kur were swishing their tails throughout and (is it me) but so many people seem to confuse ear positions where horses are showing tension and yet they think it is attention and softness. I did know someone who worked for Vicky Thompson and she said that all the horses were worked most of the time in draw reins and I have seen it myself with the Assoulines and yet they say they follow classical lines. Basically money speaks more than horses.
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Post by Yann on Dec 22, 2005 12:20:34 GMT 1
It was on another message board, posted by someone who competes at quite a high level. Even if it is true there will always be plenty of exceptions.
Echo what you said about showjumpers though, I dread to think of the lives some of those horses must lead, especially the stallions.
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natalia
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,103
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Post by natalia on Dec 22, 2005 12:34:00 GMT 1
This is tricky but I have noticed the differences in judging even at local levels in the past year of so. I have been getting in to my dressage and have found a trainer to suit me, one that works on the basis of long and low is better. I previosuly to this had a trainer whom I felt encouraged my horse to over bend a little and work very tucked in. I was getting consistant scores using the previous training methods, but didn't like having such a coiled up horse and so changed. Working long and low has been much better for my horse, he works better now and I feel much more ralaxation and natutural swing, and the overall picture feels and i hope looks 100% better. However, even the judging at local prelim and novice level has been somewhat odd, my scores have fluctuated between really really good (65%-70%) and really really bad (52% being the worst so far!) depending on the judge. when I have had the lower scores, often coments have been about my horse being to relaxed etc. When I have had eyes on the ground at all tests and the standard of my riding has been prettty much consistant and so has my horse way of going, in these tests he has felt a little tense if anything. But obvioulsy this is a far cry from Anky's level! I agree that until you have ridden like this at her level you can't really comment and it is for the most part personal choice as to working in methods. All I'm trying to say is that even at low level dressage. theres 101 different tarining methods and what works for one won't work for another, and until you get in to it you don't often realise the diffrerences! Using previous methods of lots of collection and IMO my horse feeling to tense, scores have averaged around 60%. I know now which way I prefer, and will take the rough with the smooth marks. I think working your horse through RK isn't harmful as such, but think Anky has got it right by saying you need to vary the possition. If you worked a horse in overbent for 2 hours , you would have a very stiff horse, but but stretching and collecting, your horse will be more supple. I would be facinated to watch a complete warm up by Anky, right from the start, even better would be the chance to watch several different riders warm up before tests all the way through and see methods used. I personally don't really like Anky's riding style, I don't think she's a very soft rider and like someone else has said, think Isabell Werth is much better. She always seems to be very forced and her movements are like orders, I get the feeling that she wouldn't get on with all horses by riding like this. I have watched the video and don't see that much of a problem with it. She is asking for a sucession of quite intensive movements and it would require full concentration from her horse. Also we don't see the whole time shes rinding for so can't really say if she's overdoing it.
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Post by holi on Dec 22, 2005 18:56:54 GMT 1
My friend gave up judging at the lower levels as she felt it was too difficult to award marks correctly. She trains horses slowly and 'classically' but had to judge what was in front of her which caused a dilemma as although she prefered some horses relaxed long and low which she knew was the basis of good training, it is a test and she has to give higher marks to more established outlines even though she knew they might have been acheived by 'cutting corners'. She now trains mainly non-competative people as she likes them to go out perhaps a few times a year when they are really ready to wow the judges rather than those competing every weekend. If clients chose to compete more often she gives them small goals to acheive even if its just a better centre line or that the rider breathes throughout! I just love the way she teaches although some are frustrated by her 'lack of speed'.
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