PrintIt takes discussion and disagreement to make changes for the better, and there were plenty of both at the seventh annual Global Dressage Forum at the Academy Bartels in Hooge Mierde, the Netherlands.
As usual, the GDF covered a wide range of topics relating to dressage. This year’s discussions included training methods, scientific results on learned helplessness, the marketing of the sport and the judging at the European Dressage Championships.
As in 2006, a lively exchange of ideas and opinions took place, and more of the 350 riders, trainers, judges, journalists and dressage fans attending the forum from 24 countries could participate in the discussions, held Oct. 29-30.
Germany’s Franke Sloothaak, the 1994 World Champion in show jumping and Finland’s Kyra Kyrklund, the 1991 FEI World Cup Dressage Final winner, led the first training session. Kyrklund rode competitively in show jumping and dressage as a young rider before focusing on dressage.
Both riders made strict statements against horses and riders specializing too early.
“The more different things one has done with horses, the bigger is one’s tool box, which is at one’s disposal,” said Kyrklund. “I’m aware that the time is short for the young riders to be successful as pony riders, juniors or young riders. Nevertheless, one should take care about a good basic education of the rider and to think about the future, not just look for medals at a young age.”
Sloothaak showed the dressage work of a show jumper with his grand prix horse Legurio. To relax and strengthen the Holsteiner gelding’s back muscles, Sloothaak rode him forward and downward with his hindquarters stepping well underneath him, but not with a short, hyperflexed neck.
Sloothaak explained that he uses dressage exercises to teach his horses to be more responsive to the aids, something that’s important for jumpers. Although the show jumper wasn’t built for dressage, Sloothaak was able to ride him through and in perfect harmony.
Kyrklund outlined how show jumpers—riders as well as horses—can profit from dressage training and also that dressage riders and horses can benefit from riding over small fences.
She said that the guidelines for training and educating a horse have not changed since Xenophon wrote them down more than 2,000 years ago. The dressage requirements as used today in the sport were developed for the training of an all-purpose military mount. Quick reactions to the rider’s aids, suppleness and the ability to collect were all crucial criteria for safe riding cross-country and over fences.
“This supports the balance of the horse and rider and toughens spooky horses,” she said.
Always Go Forward
Jean Bemelmans’ training session was an absolute highlight of this year’s GDF. The Spanish team coach and former German champion worked with two Spanish riders, Jordi Domingo and Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz, with two very different horses, The 10-year-old, Dutch Warmblood stallion Prestige (by Ferro) and the 9-year-old, Spanish stallion Fuego XII (by Utrerano).
As usual, the GDF covered a wide range of topics relating to dressage. This year’s discussions included training methods, scientific results on learned helplessness, the marketing of the sport and the judging at the European Dressage Championships.
As in 2006, a lively exchange of ideas and opinions took place, and more of the 350 riders, trainers, judges, journalists and dressage fans attending the forum from 24 countries could participate in the discussions, held Oct. 29-30.
Germany’s Franke Sloothaak, the 1994 World Champion in show jumping and Finland’s Kyra Kyrklund, the 1991 FEI World Cup Dressage Final winner, led the first training session. Kyrklund rode competitively in show jumping and dressage as a young rider before focusing on dressage.
Both riders made strict statements against horses and riders specializing too early.
“The more different things one has done with horses, the bigger is one’s tool box, which is at one’s disposal,” said Kyrklund. “I’m aware that the time is short for the young riders to be successful as pony riders, juniors or young riders. Nevertheless, one should take care about a good basic education of the rider and to think about the future, not just look for medals at a young age.”
Sloothaak showed the dressage work of a show jumper with his grand prix horse Legurio. To relax and strengthen the Holsteiner gelding’s back muscles, Sloothaak rode him forward and downward with his hindquarters stepping well underneath him, but not with a short, hyperflexed neck.
Sloothaak explained that he uses dressage exercises to teach his horses to be more responsive to the aids, something that’s important for jumpers. Although the show jumper wasn’t built for dressage, Sloothaak was able to ride him through and in perfect harmony.
Kyrklund outlined how show jumpers—riders as well as horses—can profit from dressage training and also that dressage riders and horses can benefit from riding over small fences.
She said that the guidelines for training and educating a horse have not changed since Xenophon wrote them down more than 2,000 years ago. The dressage requirements as used today in the sport were developed for the training of an all-purpose military mount. Quick reactions to the rider’s aids, suppleness and the ability to collect were all crucial criteria for safe riding cross-country and over fences.
“This supports the balance of the horse and rider and toughens spooky horses,” she said.
Always Go Forward
Jean Bemelmans’ training session was an absolute highlight of this year’s GDF. The Spanish team coach and former German champion worked with two Spanish riders, Jordi Domingo and Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz, with two very different horses, The 10-year-old, Dutch Warmblood stallion Prestige (by Ferro) and the 9-year-old, Spanish stallion Fuego XII (by Utrerano).
