CREATING A CLASSICAL MINDSET
Keeping a classical mindset in today’s society is not an easy concept. We are constantly bombarded by viewpoints depicting the most for your dollar in the shortest as soon as possible. This could not be more detrimental for the horse. The purpose of classical dressage is not to promote the need to for doing the FEI tests as fast as possible, even though that is a dream for most riders. The goal should be on developing the horse as fast and as solid as the horse can handle it without undue stress and forceful training methods that offer quick fixes at the sake of the horse.
This is hard to do when in the competition ring. There is only room at the top for one horse and rider. This puts a lot of stress on the riders striving to be the best in the ring and unfortunately, it is the horse that starts to suffer.
First of all, dressage was originally designed for mot any type of horse, regardless of conformation, to be developed through the systemic training program which inevitably produces sound horses. At the classical peak riders were quiet and soft, while the horses were happy and relaxed, enjoying the dance between horse and rider. The gymnastic exercises are designed to create sleek, athletic looking horses that are do not have an overabundance of muscling. Horses needed to have longevity and stamina, therefor horses with too much muscling tired faster and had more trouble doing the gymnastics.
But then something different happened. Horses were no longer needed, just wanted among those who have the passion for riding and those who have money. Money changes everything. Horses with aesthetic beauty and incredible animation are cleaning up in the competitive ring. Trainers are being forced to push faster and start their horses in second or even third level, bypassing all of the lower levels. Horses are being pushed for the incredible score of ten for each and every movement. Just as gymkhana horse are ‘hyped’ up before a ride, dressage horses are also being ‘hyped’ in order to achieve more expression, even if it is starting to cause resistance. Animation and muscle tension are becoming the fashion in the dressage arena. Riders need to go back to the drawing board, slow done and get the job done right. After all, there’re is nothing more beautiful to watch than a happy horse carrying his rider in a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere one hundred percent of the time.
Ask yourself, why are you riding your horse?
This is hard to do when in the competition ring. There is only room at the top for one horse and rider. This puts a lot of stress on the riders striving to be the best in the ring and unfortunately, it is the horse that starts to suffer.
First of all, dressage was originally designed for mot any type of horse, regardless of conformation, to be developed through the systemic training program which inevitably produces sound horses. At the classical peak riders were quiet and soft, while the horses were happy and relaxed, enjoying the dance between horse and rider. The gymnastic exercises are designed to create sleek, athletic looking horses that are do not have an overabundance of muscling. Horses needed to have longevity and stamina, therefor horses with too much muscling tired faster and had more trouble doing the gymnastics.
But then something different happened. Horses were no longer needed, just wanted among those who have the passion for riding and those who have money. Money changes everything. Horses with aesthetic beauty and incredible animation are cleaning up in the competitive ring. Trainers are being forced to push faster and start their horses in second or even third level, bypassing all of the lower levels. Horses are being pushed for the incredible score of ten for each and every movement. Just as gymkhana horse are ‘hyped’ up before a ride, dressage horses are also being ‘hyped’ in order to achieve more expression, even if it is starting to cause resistance. Animation and muscle tension are becoming the fashion in the dressage arena. Riders need to go back to the drawing board, slow done and get the job done right. After all, there’re is nothing more beautiful to watch than a happy horse carrying his rider in a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere one hundred percent of the time.
Ask yourself, why are you riding your horse?
