Having attended the FEI World Championships in Denmark earlier this year, it’s only natural to think about what we can learn from those competing at the elite end of the sport.

The FEI World Championships were simply amazing. The quality and the riding were just so fabulous (not to mention the beautiful horses) and to be part of it was not only rejuvenating, but a real eye opener. Considering what we can learn here in Australia from watching the sport at the highest international level can be productive.

1. More focus on correct basics

To become seriously competitive, riders need to be concentrated and dedicated to the simplistic basics of making a dressage horse from the beginning, especially with adjustability through the entire body. It’s not about the movements, it’s about the control and obedience in an expressive and willing way between the movements that also counts; it is this that allows the horse to perform the movements better! Practising half-passes every day won’t make the half-pass better; it is the ability to control the quality of the trot that will make the half-pass better.

When you get to this level, eyes on the ground are essential – and in fact even more so in the basics early on so that you stay on the highway, not the byway. We need to focus on the basics and not getting to Grand Prix before ticking the capability box – much like jumping and eventing.

2. “Throughness” is critical

The word “throughness” is something that we need to better learn and observe. It is something that is tangible and the most important part of any dressage performance, and it is often not paid the attention it demands.

Attention needs to be paid to making sure the horses are truly on the bit and over the back, using themselves to the best they can through riders that are in fact improving their horse’s balance.

3. Accurate lines

Throughness and better balance will in turn produce better movements and provide availability to ride accurate lines; at the top level such as a World Championships you see lines almost always ridden perfectly, yet here at times there are lines I see ridden where I am sure there should be an error of course given!

4. Brave judging

Part of ensuring the basics are correctly established is to make sure judges keep an eye on horses and pay thought to their readiness for the next level. Early on, they need to be pointing out the highlights – and equally the lesser areas – so the focus is on this. It’s great to see good marks for good work, but there also needs to be honest marks for the not-so-good work, otherwise it’s not helping the riders, trainers, horses nor the sport in Australia. Honest, educated scores for each individual movement are what the judges must do, and use the scale of marks. Brave marks both high and low are helpful to all in the sport.

At a World Championship, there is a lot of history behind the horses and riders who are competing. The judges are familiar with the majority of them and very familiar with the top horses. There is discussion about them over the years and there are expectations of the percentages they may score. It’s just how it is. They know what the usual percentage is and the judges are human and not biased, but rather gain confidence in giving marks to good riders who perform tests pretty similar each time. By the same token, with seven judges the average score is better rounded (plus there is also a three-judge supervisory panel that checks on any anomalies). The judges are a team, and all give their marks from the view they get from their positions. At that level it’s about the extra mark, positive or negative and especially on a coefficient mark, which means the difference between placings. For sure it’s easier to judge at this elite level as you can see an overall picture with ease and the throughness is there. It is more about the lines and the accuracy and first and foremost no mistakes.

The point is, it’s often more difficult for judges at events here in Australia. There is often only two per test, and they are often judging horses they’ve possibly never seen before. This is hard judging, and even harder when there is a big variation, including expressive horses where the basics may be not as good through to more average horses that are super well ridden. I know it’s not easy and realise the differences. It’s not the judges here, it’s the lack of judge education and experience.

A NEW WAVE

In Europe, dressage is a total business. Livelihoods depend on success. In turn this makes people realise that it’s all about genuine, honest early training to produce international horses. This drive to earn a living is important. Good breeders and trainers need good riders. There is a good living for good riding, so of course with this in mind there are business opportunities. Look at Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, as one of many. Of course, sponsorship and big competition creates a real want to win and to be a good rider. The whole knock-on effects are amazingly encouraging.

The equestrian federations of the European countries are big and progressive towards the big sport and create sponsorship opportunities and so the sport progresses. We have fabulous Australian riders. Look at the few that have moved to Europe – Jayden Brown, Kristy and Lyndal Oatley, Simone Pearce and Maree Tomkinson, to mention a few. They are good Aussie riders who can match it with the best and they are all super progressive, and what sets them apart is a desire to get better. We also have great riders still here in Australia.

I think that there is also a new wave of horses coming through to Grand Prix level here in Australia that will see these over 70% scores happen more often. The up-and-coming horses I am sure will soon be at FEI and it is exciting. We can all learn from watching the elite combinations at an event such as the World Championships, and let’s hope we can use these insights to get inspired and continue progressing the sport here at home. EQ

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:

Taking the Championships by Storm – Equestrian Life, November 2022