Thank you for sharing this. That was painful to watch, poor horse. I bet if she wasn’t such a ‘big name’, Van Rooij would’ve made a different decision. It’s disgusting how they let her abuse her horse in the ring and act like it’s fine. I just hope this naming and shaming works and the fei does not let this happen again, preferably suspend the judge and punish the rider (but we all know that won’t happen sadly). But thanks for using your platform for sharing these things, everyone needs to know who the bad apples are.
Why establish rules if they aren't being followed ? The system is more then broken ! Dressage is broken ! I am a retired professional trainer who was lucky enough having been taught by wonderful and competent teachers - some of them riding masters. Let me tell you, observing what's going on in dressage rings all over the world makes me furious ! It's not about classical teachings and the art of riding and training horses anymore. It's a business and it's all about money and success. 'Team partner horse' is merely reduced to a piece of equipment necessary to achieve fame and fortune. Toe flipping is all that counts and the rear doesn't know what the front is doing. Oops, that's right: the front doesn't see where the front is going anymore either because it's busy biting down on the chest. Elevation ? Collection ? Never heard of it.......... Disgusting !
Everything you've said here: 100% TRUE. I have mostly lost interest in capital D "Dressage" because it is so often a shameful display of cruelty, poor riding, and gimmicks. The beauty is gone. Where have we gone wrong? You said it: the horse is not valued - dare I say LOVED? The horse is a piece of equipment. Shame on everyone who thinks this is okay.
That was the best most elegant description I have heard yet. Thank you for so acyrately pointing out the real motivation for what we see happening. However, your opening statement was the most compelling because that is what we are seeing in the breakdown of society - lawlessness; and with that comes suffering. Thankfully there are some out there who still carry the torch of classical dressage. Carl Hester, Charlotte DuJardin and Laura Graves come to mind. They HAVE made an extraordinary impact. But we who know better MUST continue to expose what we see happening; OVERCOME evil with GOOD.
The trouble is: Riding correctly takes more time. Things that take more time cost more money and diminish the earnings. So ... shortcut it is (for a lot of people). That the horses are training too hard too early, the bits are not real, the results are more or less cheating ... who cares as long as the judges look away?
Unfortunately, that is only half the battle. We do HAVE to do all we can to expose these people. If for nothing else, it is the welfare of the horse. Just think about all the horses who have been forced to endure this type of training for decades. Additionally, guaranteed what we see in public is the kinder version of what is happening at home. Finally, they are passing this horrific treatment on to the next generation. That is the real tragedy. We MUST expose it - stop it. At some point, with places like Dressage Hub, the right person will come along with the guts, resources, and influence to stop this once and for all!
Yet if I rocked up in a bitless bridle, I’d be eliminated... It is well and truly broken. How can you sleep at night doing that to your horse’s mouth :(
I didn't do dressage (just rode English) so I don't know much about it but I almost never rode with a bit because my horse was so sensitive and good anyway. All I know is I would much rather lose a competition than ever hurt my horse!
Fr. I actually think about one day trying out to go on a bigger dressage competition bitless just to see the reactions lmao. Like idc if I would get kicked out as soon as the judges see the bridle, I would still ask to let me compete and score me as if I was riding with two bits. Just to see how it would turn out.
As long as there are money and prizes involved it will not change. Just look at the issues with Tennessee Walking horses and the whole "big lick" insanity. Laws passed but not enough people to enforce them and virtually no change happening while horses are in constant agony for profit and prizes. It's gross and disgusting how people will torture an animal so it "looks good" for the judges. And the judges are entirely complicit in this. Horrid, horrid crap.
It's because we, the people don't stand up. We all have voices and should make them heard. Just because most of us don't ride in the upper levels doesn't mean we don't know what we are looking at and that's it's abusive and wrong.
Great job naming it! It’s ridiculous. AND the bending of rules, especially rules that protect the horse, is a major reason why the sport gets such heavy criticism.
A few ideas jump to mind; -financial penalties to riders for repeated rule breaking -financial penalties to judges for failure to uphold rules -retroactive loss of points/prize/qualifying for riders when evidence is established.
If we , fellow dressage enthusiasts, see and hear about this,and the parties responsible for reinforcing the rules do not take action, than it is up to us to hold them accountable. We must make ourselves heard by speaking up at the event itself and also by writing to the Organizers etc. ,filing complaints, and not letting up. In this case the Rider as well as any Judge that was present, needs to be suspended.
Good for you for speaking out! I myself have been riding Dressage since 1990. I have become so disgusted with the direction I see the sport of Dressage headed! I don't understand how these horses are scoring in the high 70's and 80's. Somewhere (in the Rule Book) i read " an engagement of the hindquarters.a lightness of the forehand, in an uphill balance , a supple poll as the highest point , and the nose in front of the vertical ! Not what I see in competition
Speak up!! You are the perfect person to do so. There is no one above exception. Rules should be applied and followed - equally to all. Exactly the way the world is going. The bad is good, the bad is rewarded. The bad is not punished and is further rewarded by getting away with it!
What a horrific display of horsemanship😡. This is cruel and why are the horses not being protected. What and awful person this rider is that she will subject her horse to this amount of pressure and discomfort!
First and foremost, continue to do your excellent work on exposure. It's almost impossible for the general horsey public to know all these things that are happening. First, any judge who allows any rider to compete while clearly violating FEI rules, should be eliminated from competition. Judges are clearly showing to have a bias opinion on certain " names " in the dressage world like Isabel Werth. Her lack of riding ability is clearly shown in her tests as is her obvious use of rollkur training. Now, as I understand it, those who use this abusive form of riding claim it " creates more flexion and increases stomach muscles ". Flexion of the " neck " should not be an issue since true bending comes from the point of the nose through the top of the tail. From the outside rein, working around the inside leg the bend should be through the entire body. If these riders think the neck needs flexion, they need to contact their horse chiropractor, do chiropractic exercises (on the ground) to strengthen sore muscles (probably due to yanking on the horses mouth and using rollkur) or go back and get some training on how to ride dressage. When you watch one of these characters, then watch someone like DuJardin or Hester, there is so clear a distinction there is no mistake which is true Dressage. Watch Charlotte in this video. th-cam.com/video/az1LfiXGcy0/w-d-xo.html Posted on Dressage Hub, comparing Werth & DuJardin, the only movement Charlotte's hands make is to flow with the movement of the horses neck and the half halts which are virtually invisible. Her legs are not a vice grip around the horses leg, constant pushing the horse or spurring unnecessarily. She uses a steady, soft leg and light spur. Yet her horse is nearly perfect! Werth holds no candle to her at all. But the problem seems to be " horse politics ". Once Werth was challenged by the likes of Charlotte & Hester, all of a sudden scores seemed to start flipping. There is no way, ever, Werth could be scored higher than either of those two. She can't sit the trot. There are moments you can see slight daylight under her seat which proves she has no connection to the horses hindquarters. She has ridden the rollkur method so long, she soley relies on the leg and rein to artificially create a dressage look and her need of security to stay on the horse. When she enters the ring the first this you see is her open left rein - rollkur. Also, notice Werths horse. He has a hollow back. Charlotte's horse is " thru " the back" and is round. I'm not sure who is worse; the announcers fawning over Werth or the judges score. All that being said ( whew ), judges should be sanctioned or removed for obvious unfair & inaccurate scoring of a test. Second- There should be a method by which other riders can lodge a protest for unfair scoring of a dressage test ( sort of like a jockey can lodge a protest at the end of a horse race for interference). Third - stewards should be checking every mouth for blue tongue and rollkur training methods. If riders exhibit either of these things, the steward should automatically reject their entrance to the ring. It should be documented with video footage which could be reviewed by a judge prior to the beginning of the class. Fourth - have a FEI official checking the grounds for misconduct by anyone from owners to grooms being abusive with equipment and or treatment of horses. Fifth, other riders and trainers, should be raising objections with judges and FEI officials. Sixth - Dressage riders, trainers, owners and just plain lovers of the sport should contact the FEI and email remarks to them. These are just some thoughts. But between all of us, maybe, we can affect changes to these horrible things.
Wow... at least they put a bedazzled CROWN on his brow band... 🤦🏼♀️ So sad for him... this needs to end. THANK YOU for speaking out. We need to protect these horses!
The only way to fix is to enforce the rules and repercussion for violating the rules. Also penalize the parties who look the other way and ignore their responsibilities to enforce the rules.
And to think that I know someone who was eliminated for using one of the KK snaffles back in the 90s when they hadn’t yet been approved for competition.... The situation has certainly changed poles.
This is why I don't care for any horse showing anymore. No matter what discipline, people cheat at the expense of the horse's well being and sadly get away with it. Dressage of all the disciplines is so suppose to be the most pure and fair way to train a horse. Yet I have heard for decades about the,cruel measures people will take to win. SICKENING
Once again, people get away with it because no speaks up. They are to afraid. Sadly, a sign of the times. No longer is there any personal morality. But worse is there is nobody to stand up for the truth.
Not To be disrespectful but that's wrong. We have to make our voices heard to affect change. You are the PERFECT person to speak out. For like people like yourself, it is utterly unfair to you as well as the horses.
@@janets6474 I agree with you in principle. For the last 35 years I have been standing up to makeout voices heard. I've been insulted and ridiculed. At 76 I just want to live peacefully with my lovely horses. Thank you for caring. It will take a revolution among riders. The best protest is to boycott shows where the judges are known to have a bias.
As long as LDR is legal (for short periods), I think dressage is broken. This is just another sad example of how horses are used and trained and forced to obey.
If methods like this is needed then obviously the rider is lacking education and needs to go back to the level they can manage without using cruel aids
Try enduring a device that turns your tongue blue for any length of time Maybe that should be the reward given to the rider and judges who take a pass on treating horses decently Dressage is SO ABNORMAL TO ASK OF ANY HORSE. BUT THEY DO IT.
First thing is putting a stop to the keep quiet culture in the industry. I know a “trainer” who has literally murdered a horse and is still riding out a very successful international career while the person who blew the whistle on said trainer was banned from multiple local barns. Bc whistleblowers are considered the problem. Not the abusers and rule breakers. We have to create an environment against that culture. Protect the whistleblowers and start banning the idiots who are actually killing our horses and our sport.
I rode Western, show, 45 years ago (yes! I'm old🤷♀️) there was bias, favoritism and "blindness" waaayyyy back 'in the day', is why 40 years ago I quit showing. To this day, the same unfairness is abound everywhere. This should be a fair competition, same rules apply to EVERYONE. At least I know that I played a "fair game", I abided by the rules and regulations. Win or lose, I know I was fair and just to the competition and my fellow competitors. I was always taught to follow the rules, admit when I'm wrong. I'm sorry to know the "rules only apply to some, not others" is still happening. Thank you. Y'all ride safe 💙 🐎
I ask your permission to translate this video into Russian and post it on Russian social media. The problem is that none of Russian equestrian resources has posted this information. We need something to change
This is a great start towards fixing corruption and abuse in competitive dressage. What a shame that an art form created for the better health and longevity of horses has become a circus in which horses are pushed to their physical limits and abused . It's past time to vocalize this abuse and put these riders and trainers in a spotlight. Call them out. Animal abusers...horse abusers. Shameful.
I don't agree with a several of your videos but this is a good one. It's definitely a conversation that needs to be had and this is clearly an issue that merited disqualification. Very frustrating. I wish I had answers, but I don't either :/
Thank you! You don't have to agree with all of my videos. They are there as a talking point. Many of them are positioned as click bait because in 2021 nobody will watch anything that doesn't trigger them. It's sports talk. It's a new concept in dressage but common in other sports.
Best thing I ever heard from a judge about a test was that my horse looked very happy. I rode for joy, partnership and correctness. I don't think that is part of the mainstream competitive world. Emphasize the word competitive and you have the bottom line of what's wrong.
I have zero respect for this rider. She is using abuse to this horse's mouth to make herself look good. It is the opposite in my opinion. She' needs to start at ground level to properly learn how to ride this & any horse without force. This is extremely disturbing to see & equally disturbing that these judges apparently see nothing wrong with the horse performing under force. Who are these people? Certainly NOT professionals. This is NOT the true partnership dance dressage is supposed to be. This rider & these judges are a total disgrace to the art of dressage. Absolutely pathetic.
This is terrible, it is clear the horse is in distress, someone must be paying by off judges. Shame on the "so called" rider to be abusing a horse so she can receive high marks. Makes me want to smack the judges.
The double bridle doesn't have to be eliminated if used correctly. How about not allowing manufacturers to make illegal bits.When you ride a horses mouth even in a snaffle can be uncomfortable. But the point in the levels of dressage is as you say as horse advances he becomes stronger. The riders who train for real dressage strictly use the double bridle, the curb part, as a means to AID in the half halt. But just a squeeze of fingers is all that is necessary.
apparement D H ne souhaite pas répondre à votre question précise et ne vous like pas ! accusations dans l hystérie oui mais aucune explication précise....
Hmmm, I'm a bit "meh" on this one. I don't really support the arbitrary bitting rules regarding length, diameter, ports etc., I think you need the best thing for each individual horse's anatomy and preferences, and that's on a case-by-case basis.
Why is there a curb requirement beginning with M? Why cant riders decide, starting with L, which bit they would like to use?? There are fantastic riders who can ride S dressage on a bridle, so it is possible! ... we should also consider this voluntariness for a more pleasant bit. Nobody should be compelled to ride a curb! This could be another step to more horsefriendly riding!
I agree with you! I realyy don't understand this. There are so many horses, that would be so much better in a snaffle, a bitless bridle, a curb only and so on. Just because they like it better! Many mouths are too small for a double bridle, but FEI wants to force it onto everybody
There isa lot of agreement in the comments. So question is. What do we do about it? Grumbling among ourselves solves nothing. Lets get constructive in our opposition to current dressage trends which are abusive to the horse.
I recently write a letter to the FEI on their comments/questions page. Here us what I wrote; " After making numerous comments on You Tube videos of horses in the upper levels, I felt compelled to write your organization. If you see something, say something! There has been an increase of issues with horses during a test. Prior to a test, in the warm up. Riders and trainers who use the rollkyr method are using a method which is abusive to horses. Then we have judges rewarding this behavior by giving these riders favorable scores when even the simplest horse layman can see the artificial nature of the horses back, neck, throughness, cadence and impulsion. These horses are NOT relaxed. There was one individual who was schooling at a show and the horses tongue was blue. We have Anky on videos teaching rollkur and what a wonderful training method it is. We have Isabel werth using this method as well. Her riding was atrocious as she bounced on the saddle never really having a connected seat. Yet judges are giving her the high marks. On fact there we'll might have been others who shoukd have come up higher in the standings. The video I saw was horrible. The changes were jerky. So much so it threw her forward. Her horse was flat, hollow backed, behind the vertical, and other things. She was scored higher than Charlitte DuJardin who rode an almost flawless test. While I have never heard Charlotte openly say anything, I submit to you she was robbed of ranking in that test. One can only come to one conclusion - judges are political or incompetent. It's time you reject this type of training. When a rider and horse are clearly distressed, judges should be excusing riders from the test. Then, follow up with owners, riders and trainers about the infraction. People at this level should be held to a higher standard. Judges should also take some time to walk through the barns and watch warm ups and training sessions. This is how you catch people in the acts of abuse. It's time your organization condone all types of abusive behavior on horses. It's time to stop it! For good! L By the way, I saw McClain Ward at a show in Lake Placid. He was in a small training paddock away from the crows. As the horse jumped the fence they smacked it on the belly with a rod. Supposedly, this keeps the horse from hitting the jump. This is also abuse. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. (His dad).
The problem starts with collection, once you change the definition of behind the bit to mean collection then there's no end to inflicting abuse on a horse's face. The collection definition needs to reversed.
Start with following the money. Why aes the judges allowing illegal tack? Who is profiting from this rider in particular competing? Corruption is always a twisted web of buddy buddy, profit, and power. If you don't know the why, then you can't fix the issue.
She shouldn't be a trainer if her horse looks that way in the show ring, that poor horse has to go through her awful training everyday. It's cruel and not true dressage, shame on those judges for being so soft and looking the other way. You really have to be careful who's riding, some judges favors others and that's b.s. but, most competitive sports are about trophies and proving yourself. But, don't do it at the cost of an animal's comfort.
Zu meiner Zeit hätte ich bei den Richtern "antreten" müssen nach solch einem ritt mein reitlehrer hätte mich in der Prüfung abläuten lassen wenn ich solch eine Prüfung geritten hätte ein zungenstreckendes Pferd ein Reiter der sein Knie hochzieht nicht mit der flachen Wade treiben kann nur mit dem Sporen steif in Hüfte und Oberkörper gehört nicht in solch eine Dressur der darf erst einmal sitzübungen machen dürfen gut ab vor dem Pferd das es bei solch einem Reiten noch sich so toll präsentiert
Poor horse😢😭 Being ridden with great pain and violence😡🤬 That should be forbidden.As a rider, you don't want to win a competition in this way. Horrible rider😡
Two more thoughts... 1.The Big Lick is 100% unfair to the horses. The abuse and torture is wide-spread and no sign of slowing down. Only perfected to be undetectable and/or become even more cruel for the quest of wanting to "WIN"!! The horses lose everytime! 2. Brutal horse slaughter needs to be stopped. These poor beasts are being ruthlessly MURDERED. Thank you Y'all ride safe 💙 🐎
This stinks Why on earth wasn't she eliminated and suspended. A report should be sent to the FEI. Astrid Appels did an excellent assessment on Eurodressage and is known for her honest reporting Why isn't there MORE talk of this? Would Astrid be prepared to do a further report of this i wonder. She always answers if one mails her.
I want to save that beautiful animal and give him so many hugs and buy him a rubber Mullen or something bitless and love him forever, he deserves so much better... This made me cry, the horse looks so unhappy, this is unfair and disgusting! No true horseperson would do this to a horse just for empty accolades. The true reward is a happy healthy horse, in my irrelevant opinion. I hope someone stops this, for the sake of the animals involved...
Please get in touch with me, I would love to introduce you to a movement of creating a new organization sprouting up in Europe to ultimately replace the FEI.
Thank you for sharing this. That was painful to watch, poor horse. I bet if she wasn’t such a ‘big name’, Van Rooij would’ve made a different decision. It’s disgusting how they let her abuse her horse in the ring and act like it’s fine. I just hope this naming and shaming works and the fei does not let this happen again, preferably suspend the judge and punish the rider (but we all know that won’t happen sadly). But thanks for using your platform for sharing these things, everyone needs to know who the bad apples are.
Why establish rules if they aren't being followed ? The system is more then broken ! Dressage is broken ! I am a retired professional trainer who was lucky enough having been taught by wonderful and competent teachers - some of them riding masters. Let me tell you, observing what's going on in dressage rings all over the world makes me furious ! It's not about classical teachings and the art of riding and training horses anymore. It's a business and it's all about money and success. 'Team partner horse' is merely reduced to a piece of equipment necessary to achieve fame and fortune. Toe flipping is all that counts and the rear doesn't know what the front is doing. Oops, that's right: the front doesn't see where the front is going anymore either because it's busy biting down on the chest. Elevation ? Collection ? Never heard of it.......... Disgusting !
Yes!!!!!!!
With you all the way!
Everything you've said here: 100% TRUE. I have mostly lost interest in capital D "Dressage" because it is so often a shameful display of cruelty, poor riding, and gimmicks. The beauty is gone. Where have we gone wrong? You said it: the horse is not valued - dare I say LOVED? The horse is a piece of equipment. Shame on everyone who thinks this is okay.
That was the best most elegant description I have heard yet. Thank you for so acyrately pointing out the real motivation for what we see happening. However, your opening statement was the most compelling because that is what we are seeing in the breakdown of society - lawlessness; and with that comes suffering. Thankfully there are some out there who still carry the torch of classical dressage. Carl Hester, Charlotte DuJardin and Laura Graves come to mind. They HAVE made an extraordinary impact. But we who know better MUST continue to expose what we see happening; OVERCOME evil with GOOD.
Naming and shaming is definitely one way to go 👍🏻
The ONLY way to fix this is to prove that correct dressage works.
Valegro was a great example.
The trouble is: Riding correctly takes more time. Things that take more time cost more money and diminish the earnings. So ... shortcut it is (for a lot of people). That the horses are training too hard too early, the bits are not real, the results are more or less cheating ... who cares as long as the judges look away?
Charlotte DuJardin and Carl Hester.
Because.....Rollkur is banned in the UK.
We hate it and those who use it
@@janets6474 True.
Unfortunately, that is only half the battle. We do HAVE to do all we can to expose these people. If for nothing else, it is the welfare of the horse. Just think about all the horses who have been forced to endure this type of training for decades. Additionally, guaranteed what we see in public is the kinder version of what is happening at home. Finally, they are passing this horrific treatment on to the next generation. That is the real tragedy. We MUST expose it - stop it. At some point, with places like Dressage Hub, the right person will come along with the guts, resources, and influence to stop this once and for all!
Yet if I rocked up in a bitless bridle, I’d be eliminated...
It is well and truly broken. How can you sleep at night doing that to your horse’s mouth :(
RIGHT! It is absolutely BIZARRE and SO sad for the horses... this needs to be stopped.
I didn't do dressage (just rode English) so I don't know much about it but I almost never rode with a bit because my horse was so sensitive and good anyway. All I know is I would much rather lose a competition than ever hurt my horse!
Fr. I actually think about one day trying out to go on a bigger dressage competition bitless just to see the reactions lmao. Like idc if I would get kicked out as soon as the judges see the bridle, I would still ask to let me compete and score me as if I was riding with two bits. Just to see how it would turn out.
As long as there are money and prizes involved it will not change. Just look at the issues with Tennessee Walking horses and the whole "big lick" insanity. Laws passed but not enough people to enforce them and virtually no change happening while horses are in constant agony for profit and prizes. It's gross and disgusting how people will torture an animal so it "looks good" for the judges. And the judges are entirely complicit in this. Horrid, horrid crap.
It's because we, the people don't stand up. We all have voices and should make them heard. Just because most of us don't ride in the upper levels doesn't mean we don't know what we are looking at and that's it's abusive and wrong.
Thank you Dressage Hub for continuing to shed light on these problems.
Great job naming it! It’s ridiculous. AND the bending of rules, especially rules that protect the horse, is a major reason why the sport gets such heavy criticism.
A few ideas jump to mind;
-financial penalties to riders for repeated rule breaking
-financial penalties to judges for failure to uphold rules
-retroactive loss of points/prize/qualifying for riders when evidence is established.
Hey .... great idea!! Nothing hurts more than than the pocketbook!
@@janets6474 I’m a stone called bitch when it comes to animal welfare, either get on the humane train or I have no sympathy.
If we , fellow dressage enthusiasts, see and hear about this,and the parties responsible for reinforcing the rules do not take action, than it is up to us to hold them accountable. We must make ourselves heard by speaking up at the event itself and also by writing to the Organizers etc. ,filing complaints, and not letting up. In this case the Rider as well as any Judge that was present, needs to be suspended.
Absolutely agree!!!
Good for you for speaking out! I myself have been riding Dressage since 1990. I have become so disgusted with the direction I see the sport of Dressage headed! I don't understand how these horses are scoring in the high 70's and 80's. Somewhere (in the Rule Book) i read " an engagement of the hindquarters.a lightness of the forehand, in an uphill balance , a supple poll as the highest point , and the nose in front of the vertical ! Not what I see in competition
Speak up!! You are the perfect person to do so. There is no one above exception. Rules should be applied and followed - equally to all. Exactly the way the world is going. The bad is good, the bad is rewarded. The bad is not punished and is further rewarded by getting away with it!
What a horrific display of horsemanship😡. This is cruel and why are the horses not being protected. What and awful person this rider is that she will subject her horse to this amount of pressure and discomfort!
absolutely awful!! thank you for bringing things like this to everyone's attention. things need to change.
First and foremost, continue to do your excellent work on exposure. It's almost impossible for the general horsey public to know all these things that are happening.
First, any judge who allows any rider to compete while clearly violating FEI rules, should be eliminated from competition. Judges are clearly showing to have a bias opinion on certain " names " in the dressage world like Isabel Werth. Her lack of riding ability is clearly shown in her tests as is her obvious use of rollkur training. Now, as I understand it, those who use this abusive form of riding claim it " creates more flexion and increases stomach muscles ". Flexion of the
" neck " should not be an issue since true bending comes from the point of the nose through the top of the tail. From the outside rein, working around the inside leg the bend should be through the entire body. If these riders think the neck needs flexion, they need to contact their horse chiropractor, do chiropractic exercises (on the ground) to strengthen sore muscles (probably due to yanking on the horses mouth and using rollkur) or go back and get some training on how to ride dressage. When you watch one of these characters, then watch someone like DuJardin or Hester, there is so clear a distinction there is no mistake which is true Dressage. Watch Charlotte in this video. th-cam.com/video/az1LfiXGcy0/w-d-xo.html
Posted on Dressage Hub, comparing Werth & DuJardin, the only movement Charlotte's hands make is to flow with the movement of the horses neck and the half halts which are virtually invisible. Her legs are not a vice grip around the horses leg, constant pushing the horse or spurring unnecessarily. She uses a steady, soft leg and light spur. Yet her horse is nearly perfect! Werth holds no candle to her at all. But the problem seems to be " horse politics ". Once Werth was challenged by the likes of Charlotte & Hester, all of a sudden scores seemed to start flipping. There is no way, ever, Werth could be scored higher than either of those two. She can't sit the trot. There are moments you can see slight daylight under her seat which proves she has no connection to the horses hindquarters. She has ridden the rollkur method so long, she soley relies on the leg and rein to artificially create a dressage look and her need of security to stay on the horse. When she enters the ring the first this you see is her open left rein - rollkur. Also, notice Werths horse. He has a hollow back. Charlotte's horse is " thru " the back" and is round. I'm not sure who is worse; the announcers fawning over Werth or the judges score. All that being said ( whew ), judges should be sanctioned or removed for obvious unfair & inaccurate scoring of a test.
Second- There should be a method by which other riders can lodge a protest for unfair scoring of a dressage test ( sort of like a jockey can lodge a protest at the end of a horse race for interference).
Third - stewards should be checking every mouth for blue tongue and rollkur training methods. If riders exhibit either of these things, the steward should automatically reject their entrance to the ring. It should be documented with video footage which could be reviewed by a judge prior to the beginning of the class.
Fourth - have a FEI official checking the grounds for misconduct by anyone from owners to grooms being abusive with equipment and or treatment of horses.
Fifth, other riders and trainers, should be raising objections with judges and FEI officials.
Sixth - Dressage riders, trainers, owners and just plain lovers of the sport should contact the FEI and email remarks to them.
These are just some thoughts. But between all of us, maybe, we can affect changes to these horrible things.
Wow... at least they put a bedazzled CROWN on his brow band... 🤦🏼♀️
So sad for him... this needs to end. THANK YOU for speaking out. We need to protect these horses!
The only way to fix is to enforce the rules and repercussion for violating the rules. Also penalize the parties who look the other way and ignore their responsibilities to enforce the rules.
Well said!
And to think that I know someone who was eliminated for using one of the KK snaffles back in the 90s when they hadn’t yet been approved for competition.... The situation has certainly changed poles.
This is why I don't care for any horse showing anymore. No matter what discipline, people cheat at the expense of the horse's well being and sadly get away with it. Dressage of all the disciplines is so suppose to be the most pure and fair way to train a horse. Yet I have heard for decades about the,cruel measures people will take to win. SICKENING
Once again, people get away with it because no speaks up. They are to afraid. Sadly, a sign of the times. No longer is there any personal morality. But worse is there is nobody to stand up for the truth.
There should be an „IGA“ independent governance advisor at any CDI nominated by the FEI to whom those cases have to be addressed !
Best idea.
Not just one person but a panel. Maybe, cam be nominated and voted on by the FEI membership.
That's why I don't compete any longer.
Not To be disrespectful but that's wrong. We have to make our voices heard to affect change. You are the PERFECT person to speak out. For like people like yourself, it is utterly unfair to you as well as the horses.
@@janets6474 I agree with you in principle. For the last 35 years I have been standing up to makeout voices heard. I've been insulted and ridiculed. At 76 I just want to live peacefully with my lovely horses. Thank you for caring. It will take a revolution among riders. The best protest is to boycott shows where the judges are known to have a bias.
@@ellindaum6852 can't disagree with that approach. Anything effective especially that which hits the ol pocket book!
As long as LDR is legal (for short periods), I think dressage is broken. This is just another sad example of how horses are used and trained and forced to obey.
If methods like this is needed then obviously the rider is lacking education and needs to go back to the level they can manage without using cruel aids
Try enduring a device that turns your tongue blue for any length of time
Maybe that should be the reward given to the rider and judges who take a pass on treating horses decently
Dressage is SO ABNORMAL TO ASK OF ANY HORSE.
BUT THEY DO IT.
First thing is putting a stop to the keep quiet culture in the industry. I know a “trainer” who has literally murdered a horse and is still riding out a very successful international career while the person who blew the whistle on said trainer was banned from multiple local barns. Bc whistleblowers are considered the problem. Not the abusers and rule breakers. We have to create an environment against that culture. Protect the whistleblowers and start banning the idiots who are actually killing our horses and our sport.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for having the courage to bring up these issues💪
Thank you for making this video💛
Was the bit found before or after the ride? Too bad we can't find out who the judges were to name them and call them out.
Let's start naming the judges who ignore the rules. Who was this judge?
It's shown in the video
Yes!!!
I rode Western, show, 45 years ago (yes! I'm old🤷♀️) there was bias, favoritism and "blindness" waaayyyy back 'in the day', is why 40 years ago I quit showing.
To this day, the same unfairness is abound everywhere.
This should be a fair competition, same rules apply to EVERYONE.
At least I know that I played a "fair game", I abided by the rules and regulations. Win or lose, I know I was fair and just to the competition and my fellow competitors.
I was always taught to follow the rules, admit when I'm wrong.
I'm sorry to know the "rules only apply to some, not others" is still happening.
Thank you.
Y'all ride safe 💙 🐎
Thank you for your channel
I ask your permission to translate this video into Russian and post it on Russian social media. The problem is that none of Russian equestrian resources has posted this information. We need something to change
Yes. Please do. Let me know if I can help.
This is a great start towards fixing corruption and abuse in competitive dressage. What a shame that an art form created for the better health and longevity of horses has become a circus in which horses are pushed to their physical limits and abused . It's past time to vocalize this abuse and put these riders and trainers in a spotlight. Call them out. Animal abusers...horse abusers. Shameful.
I don't agree with a several of your videos but this is a good one. It's definitely a conversation that needs to be had and this is clearly an issue that merited disqualification. Very frustrating. I wish I had answers, but I don't either :/
Thank you! You don't have to agree with all of my videos. They are there as a talking point. Many of them are positioned as click bait because in 2021 nobody will watch anything that doesn't trigger them. It's sports talk. It's a new concept in dressage but common in other sports.
Best thing I ever heard from a judge about a test was that my horse looked very happy. I rode for joy, partnership and correctness. I don't think that is part of the mainstream competitive world. Emphasize the word competitive and you have the bottom line of what's wrong.
I have zero respect for this rider. She is using abuse to this horse's mouth to make herself look good. It is the opposite in my opinion. She' needs to start at ground level to properly learn how to ride this & any horse without force. This is extremely disturbing to see & equally disturbing that these judges apparently see nothing wrong with the horse performing under force. Who are these people? Certainly NOT professionals. This is NOT the true partnership dance dressage is supposed to be. This rider & these judges are a total disgrace to the art of dressage. Absolutely pathetic.
Why not?
Is illegal legal in dressage?
This is terrible, it is clear the horse is in distress, someone must be paying by off judges. Shame on the "so called" rider to be abusing a horse so she can receive high marks. Makes me want to smack the judges.
So sad ro see dressage become a populariry contest. Should elimate double bridle period- train right and longer ro achieve the same results.
The double bridle doesn't have to be eliminated if used correctly. How about not allowing manufacturers to make illegal bits.When you ride a horses mouth even in a snaffle can be uncomfortable. But the point in the levels of dressage is as you say as horse advances he becomes stronger. The riders who train for real dressage strictly use the double bridle, the curb part, as a means to AID in the half halt. But just a squeeze of fingers is all that is necessary.
what kind of bit is that ? I would like to know so I can stay away from that or to prevent people using it on any of my horses
apparement D H ne souhaite pas répondre à votre question précise et ne vous like pas ! accusations dans l hystérie oui mais aucune explication précise....
Or speak up if you see anyone using it.
Hmmm, I'm a bit "meh" on this one. I don't really support the arbitrary bitting rules regarding length, diameter, ports etc., I think you need the best thing for each individual horse's anatomy and preferences, and that's on a case-by-case basis.
Horses need to be protected!!! If people can't follow the rules they don't play!!!
Simple!!!
Poor horse
very uncomfortable viewing
When a horses tongue is out it is showing distress ie discomfort or pain or too much mental pressure it is trying to tell this by the tongue action.
Why is there a curb requirement beginning with M? Why cant riders decide, starting with L, which bit they would like to use?? There are fantastic riders who can ride S dressage on a bridle, so it is possible! ... we should also consider this voluntariness for a more pleasant bit. Nobody should be compelled to ride a curb! This could be another step to more horsefriendly riding!
I agree with you! I realyy don't understand this. There are so many horses, that would be so much better in a snaffle, a bitless bridle, a curb only and so on. Just because they like it better! Many mouths are too small for a double bridle, but FEI wants to force it onto everybody
There isa lot of agreement in the comments. So question is. What do we do about it? Grumbling among ourselves solves nothing.
Lets get constructive in our opposition to current dressage trends which are abusive to the horse.
I recently write a letter to the FEI on their comments/questions page. Here us what I wrote;
" After making numerous comments on You Tube videos of horses in the upper levels, I felt compelled to write your organization. If you see something, say something! There has been an increase of issues with horses during a test. Prior to a test, in the warm up. Riders and trainers who use the rollkyr method are using a method which is abusive to horses. Then we have judges rewarding this behavior by giving these riders favorable scores when even the simplest horse layman can see the artificial nature of the horses back, neck, throughness, cadence and impulsion. These horses are NOT relaxed. There was one individual who was schooling at a show and the horses tongue was blue. We have Anky on videos teaching rollkur and what a wonderful training method it is. We have Isabel werth using this method as well. Her riding was atrocious as she bounced on the saddle never really having a connected seat. Yet judges are giving her the high marks. On fact there we'll might have been others who shoukd have come up higher in the standings. The video I saw was horrible. The changes were jerky. So much so it threw her forward. Her horse was flat, hollow backed, behind the vertical, and other things. She was scored higher than Charlitte DuJardin who rode an almost flawless test. While I have never heard Charlotte openly say anything, I submit to you she was robbed of ranking in that test. One can only come to one conclusion - judges are political or incompetent. It's time you reject this type of training. When a rider and horse are clearly distressed, judges should be excusing riders from the test. Then, follow up with owners, riders and trainers about the infraction. People at this level should be held to a higher standard. Judges should also take some time to walk through the barns and watch warm ups and training sessions. This is how you catch people in the acts of abuse. It's time your organization condone all types of abusive behavior on horses.
It's time to stop it! For good! L
By the way, I saw McClain Ward at a show in Lake Placid. He was in a small training paddock away from the crows. As the horse jumped the fence they smacked it on the belly with a rod. Supposedly, this keeps the horse from hitting the jump. This is also abuse. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. (His dad).
😳 Oh , it's Mister X ! You can't eliminate Mister X !
Isn't it a welfare issue too?
You're entirely right!
It's abuse!
The problem starts with collection, once you change the definition of behind the bit to mean collection then there's no end to inflicting abuse on a horse's face. The collection definition needs to reversed.
Я из России и не настолько знаю английский. Может кто-то объяснить о чем здесь говорят?
Присоединяюсь. По картинкам суть понятна конечно, но речь тоже интересует))
I love riding dressage, but people like this throwing a big shade over the whole community.
So agree with you… and now she went to the Olympics!!!🤬
Wow, here in Denmark we get eliminated if we forget to take the boots off before entering the ring!
I just had another thought. Leaving posts on social media for both riders and judges including FEI.
Наконец-то кто-то высказался..
Start with following the money. Why aes the judges allowing illegal tack? Who is profiting from this rider in particular competing? Corruption is always a twisted web of buddy buddy, profit, and power. If you don't know the why, then you can't fix the issue.
She shouldn't be a trainer if her horse looks that way in the show ring, that poor horse has to go through her awful training everyday. It's cruel and not true dressage, shame on those judges for being so soft and looking the other way. You really have to be careful who's riding, some judges favors others and that's b.s. but, most competitive sports are about trophies and proving yourself. But, don't do it at the cost of an animal's comfort.
Doesn’t anyone follow the rules set by FEI??? Abuse, pain, rolkur…why is it allowed???
Zu meiner Zeit hätte ich bei den Richtern "antreten" müssen nach solch einem ritt mein reitlehrer hätte mich in der Prüfung abläuten lassen wenn ich solch eine Prüfung geritten hätte ein zungenstreckendes Pferd ein Reiter der sein Knie hochzieht nicht mit der flachen Wade treiben kann nur mit dem Sporen steif in Hüfte und Oberkörper gehört nicht in solch eine Dressur der darf erst einmal sitzübungen machen dürfen gut ab vor dem Pferd das es bei solch einem Reiten noch sich so toll präsentiert
Poor horse😢😭 Being ridden with great pain and violence😡🤬 That should be forbidden.As a rider, you don't want to win a competition in this way. Horrible rider😡
This is disgusting 😤
Two more thoughts... 1.The Big Lick is 100% unfair to the horses. The abuse and torture is wide-spread and no sign of slowing down. Only perfected to be undetectable and/or become even more cruel for the quest of wanting to "WIN"!! The horses lose everytime!
2. Brutal horse slaughter needs to be stopped. These poor beasts are being ruthlessly MURDERED.
Thank you
Y'all ride safe 💙 🐎
This stinks Why on earth wasn't she eliminated and suspended. A report should be sent to the FEI. Astrid Appels did an excellent assessment on Eurodressage and is known for her honest reporting Why isn't there MORE talk of this? Would Astrid be prepared to do a further report of this i wonder. She always answers if one mails her.
Astrid actually had this buried in another article.
Bloody disgusting that she was not eliminated.... That poor horses mouth!!!!
Very painful to watch. Dressage is approaching the TWH Big Lick Celebration level of abuse.
I want to save that beautiful animal and give him so many hugs and buy him a rubber Mullen or something bitless and love him forever, he deserves so much better...
This made me cry, the horse looks so unhappy, this is unfair and disgusting!
No true horseperson would do this to a horse just for empty accolades.
The true reward is a happy healthy horse, in my irrelevant opinion.
I hope someone stops this, for the sake of the animals involved...
Ban FEI!
Wanna see videos from today at the Olympics, didn't see I live but saw a video after and it was pretty bad again...
Why is it that I’m always hearing about the Russians cheating? It’s obvious the Inessa doesn’t truly care about mount. It’s so sad.
Let's fix it by not watching, hence not supporting, FEi dressage. Stop the money flow and they will change.
Depressing! Could ruin dressage!
This goes beyond dressage and into the realm of animal welfare!! Totally unacceptable!!
Please get in touch with me, I would love to introduce you to a movement of creating a new organization sprouting up in Europe to ultimately replace the FEI.
Please share! Many would be interested!
Whatever works. It's time for action!
Disgusting cruelty
Bec careful or dressage will go the way of wester pleasure.