WHAT is going on in the Olympic Warm-up Ring??!!

Barbara F · Grand Prix

WHAT is going on in the Olympic Warm-up Ring??!!

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Aren't we ever going to get rid of this obnoxious practice?
Probably not, the riders probably feel so powerful and in control as they strangle their horses.

barnfrog · Advanced

There is a new face book blog for No-rollkur...sign the petition. But AC horses mouth was open with a crossed jaw for tne entire ride...and it got 80%. Shame on the judges imho

spirithorse · Advanced

Also I read the there were a couple of riders that rode rolkur around the arena before entering.....
EGADS......horse abuse being allowed by FEI, the IOC, and the RSPCA

Figarocubed · Advanced

From what (admittedly little) I've been able to see of the Olympics, in general the horses and riders are much, much better than what was exhibited four years ago. AC and PK, AFAIK, were the worst offenders, curling their horses like snails.

I did see a feed of AC's ride and was dumbfounded that it earned such a high score. Unpleasant-looking ride.

Still, I'll be the glass half full optimist and point out there's been improvement. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Look what a bit of video can uncover.
http://www.barnmice.com/video/london-olympics-hyperflexion-of-the-neck

spirithorse · Advanced

FEI is now trying to cover up the can of worms it created. Removing posts from its FB page and telling flat out lies in the media.

Marlene · Advanced

If we were watching some Country Fair, or Intermediate Wannabee's, or just garden variety Dressage Hopefuls, I'd say, great, at least we are much better than four years ago. But these are world class professionals. Not only to they know better, they can do better, and set an example for everyone else. So Zero-Tolerance on Hyperflexion except the briefest accidental moment e.g. they unfortunately caught a picture of the elderly Japanese rider, who normally rides wonderfully, but his horse spooked. Not fair to point to that and criticize.

And if you haven't checked out this amazing 70 year old Dressage Competitor from Japan, here's an interview with him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUrhbaNouqU

-- Edited by Marlene on Thursday 16th of August 2012 03:18:58 PM

Figarocubed · Advanced

Thank you, Marlene, for this positive video! I love that guy! Dressage is for all riders, any age. Folks, why not accentuate what's GOOD about our sport instead of tearing it down?

Done right it keeps both horses and riders young, healthy and strong!

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Thanks for that video, Marlene! I also want to pipe in that there are lots of barns where the riding and training is lovely.

Also, one more thing I want to mention. I do get a bit concerned, because it seems to me that the dressage world divides the top riders into the good guys and the bad guys, depending on whether they train with rollkur. I have to say that I have witnessed plenty of nasty riding that doesn't involve rollkur at all. In other words, I worry that if that's the only - or main- criteria the world is using to identify abusive riding, then we are missing a lot that is going on right in front of our noses.