Carreg Dressage


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	CLASSICAL DRESSAGE WHO CARES? I am writing in response to an article published in Horse and Hound, titled "Classical Dressage" Who Cares?The debate regarding the merits of classical versus modern dressage methods was initiated by the German dressage press, approximately 6 months ago, when articles criticizing some modern dressage training methods were published. The criticism was particularly directed towards the use of rollkur; the practice of working horses in extreme over-bending or "hyperflexion". Some of the photographs which accompanied this article showed the current Olympic Champion during warm up for competition, creating much comment.As a result the FEI called a meeting of trainers, riders and vets in Lausanne on February 1st 2006 to discuss the issues arising from the allegations made by the press. The meeting concluded that although potentially damaging in inexperienced hands these methods were acceptable in the hands of experts.There is no doubt that extreme methods are and will probably always be used behind closed doors. It is however shocking for these techniques to be officially condoned by the recognized regulatory body the FEI. The issue at hand is not what it is classical or not but rather is it ethical to use any means to achieve your goal, in this case a winning Grand Prix test. Many well known modern riders and trainers seem to justify what has now been officially described as hyperflexion of the neck as a necessary tool to produce the modern dressage athletes, whose power and athleticism they so admire.That the modern dressage horse is in many ways superior to the horses competing in the 50s and 60s is in no doubt but this has much more to do with the considerable skill of the continental breeders than any change in training.They do show extravagant paces but extravagance does not always equate with being correct. The extended trot of some GP horses is often more similar to what in the circus used to be called “Spanish trot”. The reason I mention the circus is not for the sake of provocation but because this is where this “new” and modern method of training comes from. In the mid 1800s the brilliant circus trainer Francois Baucher described in great detail a method he used occasionally which he called “ramener outré” which translates exactly as extreme over-bending or hyperflexion of the neck. He explained that its great advantage was that it gave complete control over the neck structure and provoked an extreme submission of the horse. He excused his techniques by explaining that as a circus rider he needed such methods to produce the evermore spectacular movements which kept his public entertained. Baucher suffered a tremendous amount of criticism from the German press and leading German trainers of the time. So, do we really need to train horses using methods where the horse is so over-bent that it cannot physically see beyond its front feet and in some cases not even that far. To most outsiders I would think this would be considered a form of abuse whether or not it is performed by expertsThe rules of the FEI require: "The harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse". The question to debate is not classical versus modern but whether we wish to allow the fashion for extravagant show paces to override any ethics in training. Is it still relevant to strive to maintain the previous standard of purity of pace and correct execution of all movements?Does the FEI intend to promote show business by any means or is it still going to try and maintain the art of riding. Harmony is not just for show it must be maintained throughout the whole training. It is interesting to note that Francois Baucher abandoned the methods he once used and in later life chose to concentrate on lightness and the purity of the paces. There has indeed been great progress in some aspects of modern training, in particular, a much better understanding of the functioning of the horse’s back and, yes, more power and elasticity, but the ethical stance which is at the core of classical training must be maintained if we are to keep the art of riding. Georges Dewez. CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO NEWS PAGE.