"The FEI released the three diagrams that illustrate the permitted positions of the horse's head and neck during pre- and post- competition training. The new Annex (XIII), which has now been completed, was created by the Working Group that produced a revised FEI Stewards Manual on warm-up techniques for Dressage."
See: http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2010/05/11/fei-publishes-diagrams-stewards-manual-warm-techniques
What I do like about this:
AntwortenLöschenNow it is described and visualized what we are (supposed to be) talking about. What may be "allowed" and prohibited. This is a major tool to dispute extremities. And it is (just) a start....
What I do not like about this:
AntwortenLöschenThere is no nuance in the description, explanation and pictures. Without any further knowledge and practical experience with training and riding a dressage horse on the highest level, you can't do anything with it... I fear.
Can be expected from a common steward, that he can judge what he think he sees...?
And then...:
Quote: "Deliberate extreme flexions of the neck involving either high, low or lateral head carriages, should only be performed for very short periods"
For me, this is beyond the borders of the working field. You forbid it, or you don't !
You´re right, Atjan.
AntwortenLöschenThe risk of offering only those 3 pictures, without any detailed description or explanation is very high.
AntwortenLöschenPeople only may watch at the form, length and curve of the neck. More important in this are the measurements with the back, loins and the hind quarters. Their power and strength, their position. And the matter if the back is swinging or pushed away. All related to each other !
Compare the drawings:
All three pictures indicate a hind quarter which is carrying and collecting, with a correct kipping. Related to the showed necks, all drawings are acceptable to me, from a very wide practical training perspective ! BUT...
Nr 3 is a ideal stretching moment, and has nothing to do with LDR/ultraflex/rollkur (the artist thought so too.... mind the position of the incoming hind leg, in comparison with the other two..)
Nr. 1 may be an inviting moment to achieve Nr.3. But look at the message of the artist again: the heels of the rider are pushed down.... this might indicates a physical compensation of his blocking hand! Not absolutely negative, but again only one single moment to achieve Nr. 3 ! But for me this is not a continuing training position.
Nr. 2 is in the danger zone. The artist thinks the same. Note the position of the incoming hind leg, in comparison with Nr. 1 and Nr.3 ! And note the position of the rider's hand: withdrawn! For me this picture indicates a pulling hand!
A situation which simply may occur in daily practice one single moment, but which is not a good example for a allowed way of continuous warming up riding.
And for all pictures counts: imagine that the horses are not collected. And even have their main weight on the fore hand. And are pushing back and loins away. But still with these "FEI-allowed" neck length and curve...
Then the image would not be so nice and correct....
And the danger remains the same: if the spectator only looks at the form, length and position of the neck, (s)he may think that it is "FEI-approved" now....
But can we expect from a common steward, that (s)he can judge this... And explain this, so that he can stand against it in the training arena...? Even when it concerns a -let's say- international champ?
No... all this is just a start, but for me this really needs a lot of nuance and explanation!
No comments ???
AntwortenLöschenI think you've said best what anyone might say, hit the nail on the head, so to speak.
AntwortenLöschenA picture may be worth a thousand words, but explanation still is needed. Releasing only these diagrams assumes that people know an awful lot about equine anatomy and bio-mechanics, and riding itself.
It may be a start, but I think it is disappointing.
I can't see any difference from before till now! The stuarts where told years ago that the must get hold of the riders practicing "Rollkur" in the warmup ring and they didn't!
AntwortenLöschenIn my opinion the real scandal is that the judges play the ball to the stuarts!
Rolkur in the hands of an expert classical rider may have its place, but there are very, very few riders who can claim that status. Those who try to emulate their success without the many, many years of learning required bring misery to horses. Until judges stop rewarding those who practice extreme rolkur, it will not ever stop. People will point to the high profile abusers and say 'they do it and win, why should I not do it?'
AntwortenLöschenStewards have not been able to stop the abuse in the warm up ring. They are shouted down by aggressive, high profile riders and trainers and the FEI has not stood behind them. What difference does new guidelines make when even the old rules could not be enforced? When warm ups are closed to the public, who knows what goes on? As of yet, there is no watchdog with a strong enough bite to make a difference.
Romy
Continuing to dump resposibility for policing the warm up doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. It hasn't worked to date, what makes us think it will work in the future? Having illustrations is a step I suppose, but doesn't seem to go far enough to solve the problem. How many stewards are there at large shows in Europe? Here we have one steward for all the warm ups, et al. It is impossible for one person to be watching every horse as closely as indicated here. I'm with Romy, so far, there's not enough teeth in this to make a difference.
AntwortenLöschenJan
I fully agree!
AntwortenLöschenAnd... like I wrote earlier: can one expect from a "simple" steward that (s)he will be able to notify this, to judge this, to dispute this, and to act against it? Possibly against the most experienced ("famous") dressage riders in the world?
Exactly Atjan, in my opinion the system to announce the judges must change. Not the organizers of the shows should be allowed to invite the judges but the FEI should name them for each show. The judges wouldn't be forced anymore to please the show organizers, could be more independent and, if he punishes "cruel" methods he mustn't fear not to be invited or to be mobbed.
AntwortenLöschenI'm sure there are enough judges out there who want to do something but can't.
Yes, in principal that would be a correct system, definitely for CDI's.
AntwortenLöschenThe only risky item which remains then....:
the FEI-office should be more independent of commercial and political influences! Otherwise only judges who fit in the FEI-policy (what ever it may be...) will be appointed to judge. And this would effect the independent judging immensely.
Well, look to the FIFA, it works there why shouldn't it work for the FEI. No soccer club or organizer of a soccer match invites or announces the referee, just the FIFA does.
AntwortenLöschen