Interesting article by FEI judge Christoph Hess

[Heather]

Someone on CD posted a very interesting article by FEI judge Christoph Hess.

http://equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/dressage/dressage_future_052110/index.aspx

Just hope his other judge compatriots read, and heed.

[ChrissieW]

  Thank you for posting, interesting reading and I could hug the man for his closing paragraphs about remembering the horse is a horse 

[epona]

WONDERFUL!! 

[Taliessin]

 

This should be printed on huge posters and prominently displayed in every dressage yard.

 

[SueC]

One horse that is near to the ideal is the European champion Totilas with his rider Edward Gal

I see.

[treez]

Really good article 

[EmmaB]

Really good article, he's obviously very passionate about the horses welfare...
definitely saw a few blind digs in certain people's direction 
Just have one thought though, why would he suggest walk pirouettes only be asked at GP  Is it because some believe you shouldn't work a horse at walk too much at lower levels in case you ruin the 4 beat?? 

[cirocco]

 

 

[Heather]

I can only think he meant that, Em. I think that he means that collecting the walk too soon, can ruin the 4 beat gait, but why he thinks it should be as late as GP, I really do not know! This is largely the reasons that the Germans don't do lateral work in walk, and yet, I have cured two horses with bad lateral walks, by using lateral work in walk!!

[Wendy]

Considering the classical Training Scale, judges have to draw their attention to the fact that dressage is a gymnastic process and not pure trick training. The natural movements of the horse are supposed to be improved through dressage training.

I like this bit.