The entire dressage world looked with much anticipation to the FEI Round Table Conference on the Rollkur held at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne on 9 February 2010. Already little before 5 PM, the official FEI press release arrived in mailboxes world-wide with the big, bold headline "Rollkur Controversy Resolved!" Could it actually be that the FEI has taken the path of clarity and decision?
What an optimistic stand and quick solution for a debate that has been raging for more than five years. In 2006 a similar pseudo-work group was assembled following an international dispute which arose mainly between Holland and Germany after the publication of the "Dressage Perverse" article in the August edition of the German equestrian magazine St. Georg.
At the 2006 FEI workshop experts from all fields -- dressage trainers, PhD scientists in biomechanics and veterinarians -- were asked to bring to the fore evidence of the damage rollkur does to a horse. Dutch vet Rene van Weeren showed x-rays of the healthy neck of Salinero, Anky's double Olympic gold medal winning dressage horse which has been trained in the rollkur, not to forget by professional hands. The workshop was a travesty which only let to a linguistic redefinition of the term "rollkur." "hyperflexion" as the latter term would carry less negative connotations and could be "better understood".
In 2006 hyperflexion of the neck was defined as, "a technique of working/training to provide a degree of longitudinal flexion of the mid-region of the neck. Hyperflexion cannot be self-maintained by the horse for an extended period of time."
Fast forward to 2010. Footage of Patrik Kittel training his Grand Prix horse Scandic in the rollkur for an extended period of time with the horse's tongue briefly hanging limp and blue out of the mouth, had masses of people rearing as they recognized an aggressive riding style in the video clip against the welfare of the horse. A barrage of emails was sent to the FEI in request of action. The Round Table Conference was the FEI's answer.
And what is the results: redefinition of the redefinition. Only progress in the linguistic field has been made. What a pity dressage is an active sport, not one of words. Hyperflexion no longer covers the cargo. This FEI term has become more quickly out of fashion than crocs. Let's call it "Long Deep and Round" (LDR) and the problem might be solved... for another few years.
At the Round Table Conference hyperflexion or rollkur is defined as flexion of the horse’s neck "achieved through aggressive force." This almost seems like an official acknowledgement that rollkur riders have been flexing their horse's neck with aggressive force between 2006 and 2010. Felix culpa. Apparently the LDR method is more mild to the horse as it "achieves flexion without undue force." And the FEI is proud to state it has solved the controversy by banning Rollkur but concluding that LDR "is acceptable."
In other words, hyperflexed horses are allowed in the warm up ring, as long as no aggression is displayed by the riders. But what is aggressive force? Yanking and pulling or tightening the noseband that the horse can hardly breathe? Or what about the time frame in which a horse's neck is flexed deep and round or held tight and up? How long can the horse be in such a frame before it becomes harmful? Are extreme sweating, swooshing tails, hollow backs or excessive salivation signs of a horse that is being stressed by an "aggressive" rider? None of these issues have been clarified at the conference and more importantly, these forms of abuse are done by riders in both the classical and rollkur training system and are hardly ever flagged by stewards!!
In 2006 the FEI mentioned in its report that "a more detailed definition of what is to be considered as abuse is required, e.g. stress factors, pain or discomfort." Furthermore, at the time the FEI stressed that the "education of stewards to identify possible abuse and misuse of this technique" was necessary. Where we do stand five years later?
The Kür at the CDI-W Melbourne was taken out in a comprehensive performance by Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster scoring a fantastic 73% Rachael said after her test that she "was so happy with Alabaster tonight, he settled into the test very well and she couldn't expect more from him."
Nathalie Zu Saeyn-Wittgenstein Pregnant
Danish Princess Nathalie Zu Saeyn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg is six months pregnant. Princess Nathalie competed at the CDI Dortmund this weekend and the 2010 World Cup Finals in 's Hertogenbosch next week will be her last competition before the delivery.
Bellagio Sold to Haid-Bondergaard
Bellagio, one of Sweden's most promising young dressage horses and licensed stallions, has been sold to the Haid-Bondergaard family. The 4-year old Dutch warmblood bred stallion will move to the stables of Swedish Grand Prix rider Charlotte Haid and her Danish husband Rasmus Bondergaard.
CDI Dortmund: Rath Wins Meggle Cup Finals
The 25-year old Matthias Alexander Rath dethroned the Olympic Dressage Champions of the 1990s and 2000s, Isabell Werth and Anky an Grunsven, by winning the 2010 Meggle Cup Finals Grand Prix Special at the CDI Dortmund. Aboard the 15-year old Oldenburg gelding Sterntaler, Rath scored 75.541% and stayed ...
Bossco, Price Highlight 2010 Danish Spring Auction
Katholt's Bossco became the price highlight of the Danish Warmblood Spring Auction, held every year at the Stallion Licensing in Herning. Auctioneer Casper Cassøe had a total of 26 horses under the hammer, and 54% of the horses changed ownership during the auction. The average price for the horses sold was 21,935 € and all together they generated a turnover of 307,100 €.
CDI Wellington: Trussell Makes her Mark
At the CDI Wellington WEF Dressage Classic Canada's Belinda Trussell and Anton, owned by Robyn Eames, won the Grand Prix with a personal best score of 70.638%. Todd Flettrich (USA) and Otto, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, were second with a 68.723%.
What's Happening in the Dressage World?
News on Richard Davison, Marrigje van Baalen,
Krack C, Sisther de Jeu, Estelle Wettstein, Cover Story, the Marbach Riding Horse Auction, Jurgen Wirth's Souveran, the British "Dressage Extravaganza", Nicola McGivern's Walera, Lyndal Oatley, Claire Gallimore, judging at the Sunshine Tour and Markel renewing its sponsorship of the U.S. Young Horse Program.
Van Grunsven Won Most Prize Money in 2009
Besides being the 37th most earning Dutch sport athlete, Anky van Grunsven also won the most prize money at competitions in 2009. The Dutch/FEI magazine Horse International calculated the total earnings of dressage riders through prize money at shows.
KWPN Licensed Stallion Facet Passed Away
The American owned Dutch warmblood licensed stallion Facet was humanely euthanized today for colic related reasons. The chestnut stallion, who became the 1990 KWPN licensing champion, was 22-years old.
CDI Sunshine Tour: Week Three in Full Swing
The third and final week of competition at the Sunshine Tour CDI in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, is in full swing. Maria Eilberg once more captured the trophy in the owners' class, whereas Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro are being the unbeatable pair in the Prix St Georges.
Rider Wanted for Private Yard in Southern England
Imogen Byers of Ashton Farm is looking for a motivated and talented rider to train and compete her young horses. The candidate must be able to start young horses and train talented youngsters in a classical method with feeling and consistency. S/he should be able to work in a team.
Webcasting of 2010 Tullstorp Stallion Show ft. Briar
The 2010 stallion show at Jan Brink's Tullstorp Stables will be broadcast live on the internet. The show will be streamed online and has the presentation of Briar 899 as highlight of the day. Briar competed at 8 World Cup Finals, won the CDIO Aachen, got bronze at the 2005 European Championships and was 7 times Swedish National Champion.
New FEI Rule: Only 25 Ponies Allowed in Individual Test at European Pony Championships
A new FEI pony rule has become effective as of 1 January 2010 which states that only 25 FEI pony combinations will be allowed to move on to the individual test at future European Pony Championships. The FEI issued this rule change after an official inquiry with NF's and central persons in the pony sport. The aim is to reduce the number of competition days at the European Pony Championships.
Hester and Dujardin Victorious on Second Week of Sunshine Tour
British riders have continued their winning ways in the second week of the Spanish Sunshine Tour, at Vejer de la Frontera in Spain 9-14 March. Under the now sunny skies, British competitors bested previous scores and set the tone for what’s sure to be an exciting third and final week..
CDI Sau Paulo: Clementino Wins Grand Prix Kur
Brazilian Rogerio Clementino won the Grand Prix Kur at the CDI Sao Paulo, Brazil, March 12 - 14, 2010. Clementino and Portugal won the freestyle with 67.400%. Luiza Tavares won the Grand Prix on her father's Lusitano bred Samba (Inca x Habíl). This combination scored 64.809%.
Bill Noble: "Every Man's Story is Important, Unique"
Several dressage trainers are known world wide because they were first successful international competitors before they actually took up their current coaching careers. But there are also very good trainers whose fame never reached the big public because they missed a great career on the international stage as a rider.
Dressage Judging Explained to the Media at the 2010 World Cup Finals
In the framework of the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, the FEI is pleased to invite journalists to a seminar during which Official International judge Wim Ernes will introduce the participants to the intricacies of judging an international Dressage competition at the highest level.
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