Suitability

One of the aspects that makes a successful dressage rider is the desire to achieve near perfection, knowing that it is a difficult journey, fraught with setbacks, and requires determination, persistence as well as education and experience.  By definition, we are not “quitters”, therefore it takes years of experience for such a person to know when it is right to quit.  I have been reflecting on this subject for some days now as we have come to the conclusion, after much effort, reflection and discussion that Da Capo is not a suitable horse for our ambitions in dressage.  The good news is that he shows some potential as a jumper, and has caught the eye of a young rider who wishes to make the effort to develop him in a different direction than we would take.  So, we are happy that he will be able to pursue a path that he might be more suitable for, that we can move on to search for a horse that likes the discipline of dressage.

This situation has prompted me to think about the subject of suitability.  I am not referring to the often discussed issue of experienced horse for beginning rider, or expressive gaits or natural jumping ability.  I am referring rather to the horse/rider combination, and their mental compatibility.   Their desire to do the same thing.

I will take for an example the situation with myself and Da Capo.  What attracted me to him in the first place was the dressage characteristics:  a bloodline proven to produce top dressage horses (Donnerhall/Pik Bube), large expressive gaits, a free shoulder movement, strong active hindquarters, and a conformation (though it needed developing as he was living in a pasture) that looked promising.  And since I am not thinking serious competition, his size was nice because it fit me and my size.  Also, I was optimistic since he went under saddle easily, accepted the rider without bucking and was very comfortable to ride.   He was also easy to manage on the ground, and very friendly with people.

So what finally made us find him unsuitable?  Something as simple as “attitude”.  As he became more fit and stronger, he became a bit resistant.  Without  changing his routine at all, just the same consistent work to develop his muscles and strength through lunging, rather than becoming calmer and more confident, he became more resistant.   It soon became clear that there were things he liked to do, and things he could do, but not willingly.

From the tine spent working with Da Capo it became clear that he was an elastic talented horse.  It also reminded me  that in the end the horse has an opinion also about what he wants to do.  After persisting with the riding I realized that he could be “forced” to work, and eventually would submit, but it was not pleasant for me or him.  And in the end, forced work does not produce the kind of results I am looking for when I train a horse.  Therefore, I chose not to try to force him, but to try to seek a situation for him where both he and his rider can enjoy their time together.    I know there will be a willing partner for me  and I plan to go out and look for him.   As a good friend of mine reminded me, “when one door closes, another opens”.     So I am maintaining my “hopes and expectations”, they will just develop on a different path.    This is the part that I think the “seriously driven” rider finds the hardest, accepting that they cannot make everything work, and sometimes have to just  “quit” and move on.   This requires both experience and maturity, and putting the ego aside.   DONE!!

Interview with German Master Rider/Trainer, Ralf Hannover

Sitting down at dinner with Ralf Hannöver is the best way (if not only way) to interrupt his hectic schedule of training, teaching, showing, trying prospective young horses, and like all successful business people today, getting him away from his cell phone.  But, over a good meal and a nice glass of wine, we were finally able to talk about his life with horses.

As a young boy, as with so many young professional riders in Germany, he grew up on a breeding farm where he, along with his brothers and sisters rode ponies and horses for as long as they can remember.  His father was his mentor, developing his riding and showing skills for many years.  Ralf was a successful young competitor and eventually became German Junior Jumping Champion.  As he continued to ride, train and compete, Ralf made the decision to pursue horses professionally and began his training as a Bereiter.  Originally scheduled to train under Holger Schmezer, due to a previous commitment on the part of Herr Schmezer, Ralf was trained instead by Herbert Rehbein.  He was eventually to spend 6 1/2 years working under Rehbein’s guidance.  I asked Ralf what is was like to have worked with one of the greats in the dressage world.  He responded by saying “it was one of the best times of my life.  Herr Rehbein never held back on what he knew” and gave him countless opportunities to sit on many excellent fully trained horses.  It was through these experiences he was able to feel the correctly trained movements, the use of the aids and the horses responses.  He felt privileged to have had those years and realizes it was an opportunity limited to a few.  He stressed that Herr  Rehbein’s style of teaching was not to stand and instruct your every move, but rather to supervise your work, making corrections as needed and to allow you to experience the training of horses through the levels to Grand Prix.  Quoting from the biography of Herbert Rehbein by Karin Drewes “Ralf Hannöver was the overall best student trainer for Rehbein” (Translation from German).  Having had the opportunity to work with Ralf myself, I can see that he has applied a similar technique to his own students.

After receiving his Berieter Diploma, Ralf worked under Herr Rehbein for three years, as is normal in the German system, before beginning his work towards his Meister Prufung (Master’s License).  I asked what this entailed and he explained the test is in 4 parts:

1. Riding and Teaching (Practical)
2. Theory (Advanced)
3. Economics (Business Aspects)
4. Pedagogy (Rules, Relationships, etc)

He attended the classes, did all his preparation and his final exam in Warendorf and Münster.

After 6 1/2 years at Grönwohldhof with Herbert and Karin Rehbein, Ralf took the job as dressage trainer at Vorwerk, where he remained for another 4 1/2 years.  There he trained, among many others, Rubenstein and Rohdiamant.  Reflecting back  on that period, he told me that Rubenstein was possibly his favorite horse to train.  He remembers him as being a kind, trusting and intelligent stallion, exceptionally willing and extremely trainable.

After a number of years training for others, Ralf decided to go into business for himself and today operates his own training and sales business in Gehrde, Germany.  There he has numerous horses in training from amazing 3-year old youngsters  to fully trained Grand Prix horses.  He has a variety of international students as well as German riders.  He currently conducts clinics throughout Germany, as well as regular trips to Switzerland, Sweden and the United States.

Finally, I asked Ralf about the difference between the horses of the years past, and the modern breeding of today.  I wanted the opinion of someone who has sat on so many horses, from every pedigree imaginable and who could provide a truly educated and experienced response.  He responded “of course the quality has improved.  In former years the horses were not so willing and often required the skills of the professional rider to put them to work.  Today, the horses are more elastic, more athletic, with a better attitude, more willing to work”.  When I asked what characteristic was most important to him as a trainer, he responded without hesitation “the horse must be rideable”.    From my experience with Ralf, if the horse is rideable, he can take care of the rest.

For anyone interested, Ralf has both young and trained horses of outstanding quality for sale at his facility in Gehrde.  He is also available for clinics worldwide.  If you would like to contact Ralf, sent me a message for information.

Problem Solving – Introduction

I have been preparing a series of posts with respect to “problem solving“.  I am not referring to the common usage of the term, i.e., behavioral problems such as rearing, bolting, biting, etc.  Instead I wish to tackle issues that arise during the training process such as stiffness, crookedness, lack of or inability to maintain balance, refusals at jumps, crossing of legs on turns and circles, winging and paddling…….the list goes on.

My approach to these discussions will be to select an issue, demonstrate using photos or videos, and explore possible causes, as well as suggest possible solutions.

We all realize that often we have some underlying problems which go undetected by the rider (and often from the ground person) but eventually show themselves in overt ways such as head shaking, tongue problems, gait irregularities, an unevenness in the contact, etc.  Often by observiing others, we discover something within ourselves.  This is my intention regarding these posts…….to bring awareness to training issues, and offer insights which can lead to solutions.

My first post will concentrate on the “simple” issue of circles and turns.  I say “simple” with tongue in cheek because the ability to make a perfect circle would eliminate the need for several of the remaining posts.  As we all know, everything is interconnected but  by examination and discussion of the parts, we produce a better whole.  The hard part is isolating one issue from another.  However, I will try to do just that.

I hope you will stay with me throughout this journey, and please offer any comments or suggestions you might have.  I would like very much for this to be a discussion, that is to say, interactive, as we ALL encounter training problems, and often one person alone can overlook something important to another.

The Blood Rule – Once again the FEI shows lack of spine.

Eurodressage has reported today that the FEI General Assembly meeting in Rio de Janeiro this week has taken the decision, after a request from the Dressage Committee, to withdraw the proposed addition to Art. 430.7.6, “evidence of blood in the arena” to allow the Veterinary Committee to study the issue from a horse welfare perspective.

Arguments have been made that since international team competitions no longer have a alternate rider, that the elimination of one rider would effectively eliminate the entire team, meaning of course the team could not medal. This is certainly a legitimate concern considering the time that goes into training to the international levels, the costs now of high quality horses, and of course the expenses involved in preparing for, traveling to and competing in shows at that level.

However, I have to wonder how often competitors at that level actually show blood in competition if they have properly trained horses, and are prepared for the competitions in which they are participating? It would really be an exception for a horse to bleed without any apparent cause, but if so, it would likely indicate a pathology, and for the welfare of the horse, he should of course stop working (competing).

If we think of the average rider to whom this rule would also apply, I believe this is where the most important benefits would occur. Most riders are so concerned about the welfare of their horses, they would be horrified to find they have cause their horses to bleed. However, many “confident” individuals, who “train” through force and brutality at home, often find that without such “tools”, the horse will not give a somewhat reliable perfomance. There, we can see evidence of blood at competitions. In both cases, a bleeding horse at a competition usually indicates something is not correct at home, and institution of a “no blood” rule might have some impact on those individuals, though I am not convinced.

Overall, I believe rather than trying to implement a rule that is as full of loopholes and the tax code, the FEI should come down on one side of the issue or the other: Blood accepted… or No Blood. Of course there will always be innocent riders and trainers who might occassionally be targeted unjustifiably, but I think the benefit and well being of the horse is worth that risk.