British grand prix dressage rider and coach Anna Ross discusses brideless dressage, the stretch debate and two unhappy farewells
Ten years in the past, the pattern was clear: quick reins gained gold medals. Immediately, we will trip grand prix in a snaffle, we’re trialling a stretch motion at grand prix and the primary bridleless dressage competitors has generated huge dialogue. Whether or not this stuff signify progress is far debated – however the path of journey has undoubtedly modified.
Point out bridleless or bitless dressage, and you’ve got an effective way to explode the web. Some see it as the subsequent step in enhancing horse welfare; others consider it has no place within the sport.
There’s additionally a viewpoint that the double bridle is just not a harsher piece of kit, however a extra refined one – able to lighter, extra nuanced communication in educated palms.
Grand prix rider Sam Whyley is among the many sceptics.
“I’m fighting the concept this can be a step ahead and with the feedback suggesting it’s the path we should always all take,” he says. “Are we going to get to some extent the place we will’t trip in breeches anymore, as a result of a great rider shouldn’t want garments to assist hold their steadiness?”
He goes on: “I like the sensation of a horse working accurately and supplely by way of its physique, participating the hindquarters to take weight off the naturally weaker forehand. The higher I’m as a coach, the more healthy, happier, sounder life my horse will lead – one thing inspired all through the ascending ranges, as I work in direction of the toughest take a look at of all, the grand prix.
“What I’m seeing from the movies of the bridleless competitors doesn’t embody this. I’m seeing horses shifting hollowly, their backs like a canoe that the rider sits in relatively than on; horses on the forehand, unable to raise their shoulders; pirouettes with no bend and even the fallacious bend – examples of what, replicated persistently, will result in forelimb accidents or sore backs.”
However welfare isn’t decided by bitting. I’ve seen horses ridden harshly in bitless bridles and superbly in double bridles. A bit is a software, and can be utilized properly or badly. If a horse is genuinely softer and extra assured with out one, we shouldn’t dismiss that as “anti-tradition”, however nor ought to we fake each horse is routinely higher bitless.
Absolutely the pertinent query is: what tools permits this horse, as a person, to carry out with the best confidence, rest and concord?
Stretching at grand prix?
The identical precept applies to the proposed stretch motion. A horse that may lengthen its neck, search the contact and swing by way of its again is a pleasure to observe – it exhibits real throughness and belief, and might be probably the most revealing actions within the take a look at.
But it has proved contentious. The much-decorated US Olympian Robert Dover has known as it an “insult” to our stakeholders and too boring for spectators. But when spectators have watched a grand prix take a look at that far with out falling asleep, I feel we will assume they’re fairly thinking about dressage.
From a judging viewpoint, the stretch lets us reward the qualities we are saying we worth: rest, concord and proper coaching. At a time of accelerating public scrutiny, that issues.
A relaxed expression, a quiet mouth, a swinging tail and a keen perspective say way over the bridle a horse wears. The effectiveness of any tack relies upon far much less on the tools than on the palms holding the reins. If these debates encourage us to concentrate on these outcomes relatively than defending custom or chasing developments, the game will likely be higher for it.
Unhappy farewells
We misplaced a useful guiding hand not too long ago. Horses and riders alike misplaced a pal within the late Stephen Clarke.
You at all times felt Stephen was in your aspect: trip properly and also you sensed it genuinely made him glad; trip poorly and also you by no means resented his mark; you merely felt you’d let him down. Not as a result of he was harsh, however since you knew he wished everybody’s greatest.
He judged with honesty and integrity, however at all times with kindness.
Stephen Clarke laughing with Isabell Werth on the 2014 World Equestrian Video games. Credit score Alamy
Nearer to residence, we stated goodbye to a different nice man: Andrew Goodwin Davies, father of grand prix rider Sally Bell, whose quiet heat and knowledge touched so many.
We frequently discuss of individuals “passing” – and the easiest move on their information, kindness and values. These left turn into custodians of that legacy. In that sense, they by no means actually depart us.
● The place do you stand on bitless dressage? And may grand prix reward a stretch motion? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and county, for the possibility to have your ideas printed in a future problem of Horse & Hound journal
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