by Terry3025 » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:20 pm
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Oh boy! This topic has been discussed hundreds of times! It has to be the number one topic on #ed_op#A href="http://www.ultimatedressage.com"#ed_cl#www.ultimatedressage.com#ed_op#/A#ed_cl# as there are so many people that agree to this method and others who claim that it's abuse. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#In any sport or way of life, you can train any way that you please. I personally do not think that it's abuse as the horses seem happy and not in pain and are almost always at the top of every class. However, I think it is *wrong* when people on the sidelines watching Anky and the many other top riders ride rolkur try it at home. This is because what they see is the rider keeping the horses head at its chest...but in reality and Sjef and Anky have said time and time before, you're not just using your hands. You have to have the hind end stepping underneath the horse. If you don't have the hind end then you have the false frame and have lost any forward motion. They have also mentioned from a Dressage Today magazine a few years ago, that they do not ride in this position for long periods of time. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Anyways, I always try to have a open mind about new techniques. People will always argue and discuss issues like this. I've read discussions about trainers/riders not using long and low because they thought it produced tension or whatever you please. This is the same with side reins. Those who know how to use them properly can get great results, but others who think they know everything about it, end up doing more harm than good. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I think that Anky is a great horsewoman and has truly lucked out on having the talented horses and just all that natural talent that we all wish we had! But I have to admit, I am getting a little tired of seeing their name in first place all the time. It would be nice to see a different person up there!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
"Competitive riding should be classical riding at its best." -Charles de Kunffy
"God forbid that I should go to any heaven in which there are no horses." -R. B. Cunningham Graham