Dresssge warm ups/trainers/headsets

[Muddywellies]

I’m coming across this more and more these days. I don’t understand it?? Surely when riding in a fairly compact space with numerous other horses, we need to be fully aware of our surroundings, not wired up to a trainer giving a pretty intense lesson ??

 

[milliepops]

Been a bone of contention for years. I think it's becoming more common because the headsets are easier to buy now. Theres a thread on the BD forum about it at the moment. Basically seems to be split between people who can afford to have their trainer there and the rest of us mugs trying to ride around them 🙄

It really can make things difficult. I can see the appeal for some but my experience has generally been that the headset wearers are in another world following trainer's instructions and not observing arena etiquette

 

[Muddywellies]

That’s exactly the problem. They are totally focussed on their trainer and nothing else. At a recent competition one particular rider really was causing absolute mayhem for everyone - it was so interesting to watch. She was like a tornado whirling round the arena leaving a trail of destruction and was totally oblivious, whilst her trainer was constantly muttering instructions into his speaker. I think it’s time their use was considered by BD as 1/ people find it incredibly frustrating particularly those on young/sensitive horses and 2/ is there a possible safety concern if the rider has no awareness of others around them ?

 

[Shay]

Playing devil's advocate here - doesn't the trainer bear some responsibility for being aware of other horses? If they direct their rider to turn or change pace straight into another horse they are surely responsible too?

 

[Red-1]

Playing devil's advocate here - doesn't the trainer bear some responsibility for being aware of other horses? If they direct their rider to turn or change pace straight into another horse they are surely responsible too?

NO, I see it as the rider's responsibility is absolute. I also think headsets and instruction in general should not be allowed in the collecting ring. At least with headsets you don't have to dodge a gaggle of trainers in the middle, but I think the collecting ring should come under competition rules - no headsets or trainers giving instruction.

 

[ihatework]

Playing devil's advocate here - doesn't the trainer bear some responsibility for being aware of other horses? If they direct their rider to turn or change pace straight into another horse they are surely responsible too?

Yes I think trainers have a responsibility. If their pupil is riding like a twonk then they should tell them through the headset.

Unfortunately a lot of ‘trainers’ I see in these situations just see it as an ego trip.

 

[milliepops]

I agree with Red, the rider is the only one in direct control of the horse and therefore should bear the responsibility for correct use of the warm up & not causing carnage.

If you get 2 or 3 people with trainers and headsets basically having a full on lesson, it's nigh on impossible to work around them because none of them give way. I doubt that BD would ever take any action on this though, it does all boil down to personal responsibility and there aren't usually stewards to enforce warm up rules at normal shows.
If trainer says half pass right or whatever, the rider should wait until there's enough space not just start immediately. Then it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[AUB]

My trainer always uses a headset when teaching, both at home and at competitions, as she likes to spare her voice + not disturb others and I actually find that it works really well. I don't find it distracting and I can still pay attention to my surroundings.

I think people riding with their head up their a** would do so with or without headset.

 

[Muddywellies]

But why do people need such an intense session with their trainer at a competition? By all means give a few tips during warm up but some people really do have a full on lesson before a comp. The ‘tornado’ I mentioned above had a ‘lesson’ for over an hour before her test and no one else really had a chance as she totally took over the arena. Her trainer is very well known and is successful as both a rider and trainer but he is extremely focussed on winning so other people trying to use the arena wouldn’t have mattered one jot to him. So he drilled her constantly for an hour. I saw the same thing this weekend - different rider, trainer and venue, cantering round and round and round and round almost knocking people out of the way whilst wired up to a trainer. What on earth needs teaching/practicing immediately before a test? Surely it’s too late at that point? I do wonder if BD will bring in rules about this as it’s becoming more and more of a problem. People seem to have more disposable income so can afford to bring trainers along, and better technology is available. The clue is in the title - ‘warm up’.

 

[milliepops]

I do agree that it can be awfully difficult to work around some riders who are obviously having quite a lot of instruction via their headset. However, plenty of pro riders are also "formidable" in the warm up. Most of my venues are in Gloucestershire, site of dressage royalty and now we are at the level where the international/GP riders are sharing the warm up I have to say there are some that just make me wish I wasn't there. Holding a line at the expense of everyone else is quite rude IMO! Doesn't help when you're riding a 14hh pony,. I really struggle to create a space for us sometimes, and they are just riding by themselves without a headset in sight.

I wouldn't give a toss who had what, or who anyone was, if it didn't end up disadvantaging other people.

 

[Mule]

I do agree that it can be awfully difficult to work around some riders who are obviously having quite a lot of instruction via their headset. However, plenty of pro riders are also "formidable" in the warm up. Most of my venues are in Gloucestershire, site of dressage royalty and now we are at the level where the international/GP riders are sharing the warm up I have to say there are some that just make me wish I wasn't there. Holding a line at the expense of everyone else is quite rude IMO! Doesn't help when you're riding a 14hh pony,. I really struggle to create a space for us sometimes, and they are just riding by themselves without a headset in sight.

I wouldn't give a toss who had what, or who anyone was, if it didn't end up disadvantaging other people.

A lot of dressage horses are bloody huge too. I wouldn't fancy having them bearing down on me in a warm-up