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?
Twenty Stallions Approved After Final Phase of 2010 BWP Stallion Licensing
Twenty stallions were approved after the final, third phase of the 2010 Belgian Warmblood Stallion Licensing. The third phase was hosted at Equestrian Centre De Warre in Neeroeteren, Belgium, and included besides an in-hand presentation and free-jumping an additional under saddle presentation of the young colts. They were first ridden by their own riders and afterwards tested by guest riders.
Swedish Young Rider S-H. Bergstrom Kallstrom Suspended for Positive Medication Test
Swedish young rider champion Sara Henrietta Bergstrom Kallstrom has been suspended by the Swedish Equestrian Federation following a positive medication test on her horse Garcia at a national dressage show. Bergstrom Kallstrom's 14-year old Swedish warmblood mare Garcia (by Bernstein x Brisad) tested positive to the banned substance Flunixin at the CDN Djursholm 18 - 20 September 2009.
CDI Sunshine: Carvalho and Rubi on a Roll
Portuguese Grand Prix rider Goncalo Carvalho is on a roll during the second week of competition at the Sunshine Tour CDI in Spain. Aboard Christine Jacoberger's Lusitano stallion Rubi (by Batial x Xaquiro), Carvalho obtained his WEG qualification scores in the Grand Prix and the dynamic duo went on to win the Kur to Music with 73.70%. Riding to brand new music arranged by Claudia Muller and based on sound tracks by The Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta and Beyonce, Carvalho and Rubi left British Olympian Maria Eilberg on Two Sox behind them.
Leslie Morse's Tip Top Underwent Colic Surgery
Leslie Morse's Grand Prix horse Tip Top had to undergo emergency colic surgery on Friday 12 March 2010. The Swedish warmblood stallion (by Master) suffered from an acute colic attack in his stall at the Dressage Affaire CDI in Del Mar, CA, and was rushed to the equine clinic only two miles from the show. The operation went well and Tip Top is on the road to recovery.
Don Romantic, 2010 Danish Stallion of the Year
Poul Graugaard announced that the Danish Warmblood Stallion of the Year 2010 is the 11 year old Blue Hors Don Romantic by Blue Hors Don Schufro / Blue Hors Romancier / Mago xx, bred by Jens Aage Buhl and owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen’s Blue Hors ApS.
Soreldo, Danish Warmblood Licensing Champion
Out of a total of 20 young colts approved for the stallion performances testing, the Danish Warmblood licensing committee selected a group of 7 premium colts; 4 dressage colts and 3 jumping colts. In the dressage ring the Dutch born Soreldo stood out as a noble and elegant colt with powerful movements.
Twenty Colts Approved at Danish Stallion Licensing
After having evaluated the 54 young colts on hard surface, in the lunge line and loose, or in free jumping, the licensing committee have announced 20 colts forward to the final licensing Sunday. They consist of 11 dressage colts and 9 colts of jumping bloodlines; 10 of the colts are Danish bred and 10 have been imported.
CDI Del Mar: Peters Wins With Ravel
Steffen Peters and the Dutch warmblood gelding Ravel (by Contango x Democraat) won the Grand Prix at the Dressage Affaire CDI in Del Mar. He scored 77.660% and scored almost a full 10% more than second placed Adrienne Lyle on Wizard. Guenter Seidel and UII placed third.
Smith Appointed Canadian Assistant Chef d'Equipe
Gina Smith, of Brockville, ON, has been appointed the assistant Chef d’équipe for Canada’s dressage team heading to the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The games will run from September 25–October 10, 2010.
Greatest Oldies: Aktion, King of the Kur
Since the invention of the dressage World Cup in the mid 1980s there has been a couple of crowd-pleasers among the horses. One of them was undoubtedly the grey stallion Aktion who was an unforgettable appearance on the international scene for over a decade and the uncrowned king of the kur in a record number of World Cup finals. He made his Hungarian rider famous and was the torch-bearer for Hungarian dressage.
Italian Silvia Rizzo Obtains WEG Qualification Score
Italian Grand Prix rider Silvia Rizzo obtained her two 64% qualification scores for the 2010 World Equestrian Games at the first week of competition at the Sunshine Tour CDI in Spain. The 2010 Sunshine Tour just started in its second show week after postponing the Sunday tests to Monday after extreme weather conditions last weekend.
Brits Dominate First Week of Sunshine Tour CDI
The British contingent has swept the board during the first week of the Spanish Sunshine Tour sealing victories in almost all classes across big tour, small tour, young riders and the owners’ classes. The competition, which takes place at Vejer de la Frontera in Spain, consists of three consecutive CDIs from 1 – 21 March 2010.
Update on Courtney King's Condition
As posted by Kimberly van Kampen on the Hampton Green Farms' website: Courtney remains in the ICU at St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach, resting comfortably. She is still unresponsive, but everyday there is more positive news about her condition. Her MRI earlier this week ruled out any additional injuries or post-injury complications, which was fantastic news!
CDI Braunschweig: Schmidt and Donnelly Win
Hubertus Schmidt and the very elegant chestnut gelding Donnelly have won the Grand Prix at the CDI Braunschweig in Germany. With a score of 72.383% they bested an international field of 22 riders. Jonny Hilberath and Amusant, Sissy Max-Theurer's horse which Jonny has been riding for a year now, placed second.
Last Chance for Complete Overview of CSW Collection
The date of the second edition of the Classical Sales Warendorf is fast approaching. The 'Auction with a Philosophy' is scheduled for March 25 at 7pm at the Wietelshof, on the outskirts of Warendorf. The last chance to see the complete collection is on Sunday March 21, at 11am.
Hayley Beresford Relocates to Switzerland
Australian Olympian Hayley Beresford is saying goodbye to Isabell Werth's stable and will relocate to Switzerland, to become the head trainer at Otto Hofer's dressage academy in Grabs. Beresford will only be taking her Olympic mount, Eduardo Fischer's Relampago do Retiro, with her.
2010 Lusitano Collection Achieves New Record Price
A four-year-old newly-trained Interagro Lusitano stallion brought a record price of $145,000 recently at The 2010 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction held at The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. With a record attendance of 250 people, the third consecutive U.S. auction attracted a prestigious crowd of notable trainers, breeders, professional riders and amateur practitioners.
Minutes of the 2010 IDRC General Assembly
The International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) helds its annual General Assembly at the 2010 CDI-W Neumunster in Germany on 21 February 2010. At the 2010 General Assembly Kyra Kyrklund was appointed vice-president and Wayne Channon secretary general (which entails being Chief Executive Officer of the IDRC).
FEI Begins Consultation Process on NSAIDs
On the occasion of its Executive Board (EB) meeting held at the FEI Headquarters on 9 March, the FEI announced further steps in relation to the debate on in-competition use of a limited number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) under strictly prescribed limits and set the relevant timeline.
Vilhelmson & Milczarek Added to World Cup Finals' Line Up
The line-up for the World Cup Final has been revised. The USA and Canadian Federa'tions have confirmed that, due to health issues for either horses or riders, there will be no representatives from the North American League, so the two available slots will now be taken by reserve riders Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven and Katarzyna Milczarek who previously applied for any available extra starting places.
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