Dressage European Champs France

Para riders probably don't have the brute (and I use that word deliberately) strength to dominate and force an outline onto their horse.

Hence their riding via balance, partnership and technique instead, as riding should be.

Always admired the para riders greatly. Was at Blenheim about 10 years ago when they still did 'demos' in the main arena during lunchtime on the 2 dressage days and one lunchtime was a para rider (sorry can't remember her name). She got amazing work out of her horse partner up to some high level movements and did some dressage to music but had her legs amputated (I think) above the knee.

Her horse was a true partner and it was amazing to watch. Shame that so many spectators chose to go shopping instead. They missed something special.
 
At least he will never have to wonder how on earth to coordinate his legs again :(

This may not be quite the right thread for this but it's still pertinent, perhaps. I had a resting metabolic rate test done the other day. You sit for 15 minutes with a clip on your nose holding a flattened tube in your mouth and breath normally. The edge of the tube presses on your tongue or prevents it moving freely, and the ability to swallow with the mouth open is hugely impeded. Some people find the saliva just dribbling down their top, if they manage not to swallow. I found the urge to swallow was really strong and psychologically bothersome and since I was sitting there with nothing else to do I found myself wondering if this is how horses feel when they're in a similar position, with curb chain perhaps done up too snugly and the tongue trapped by the mouthpieces.
 
Burnttoast said:
At least he will never have to wonder how on earth to coordinate his legs again :(

This may not be quite the right thread for this but it's still pertinent, perhaps. I had a resting metabolic rate test done the other day. You sit for 15 minutes with a clip on your nose holding a flattened tube in your mouth and breath normally. The edge of the tube presses on your tongue or prevents it moving freely, and the ability to swallow with the mouth open is hugely impeded. Some people find the saliva just dribbling down their top, if they manage not to swallow. I found the urge to swallow was really strong and psychologically bothersome and since I was sitting there with nothing else to do I found myself wondering if this is how horses feel when they're in a similar position, with curb chain perhaps done up too snugly and the tongue trapped by the mouthpieces.
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Horrific.
 
It's tragic about Jovian. I didn't enjoy watching him (would have been fascinating to see what he would have been like under a different regime) and can't bear to watch Helgstrand anyway, to put a horse through such a major elective operation so soon after a championship seemed bizarre. No doubt there is a lot more to the story but at least now he can rest in peace.
 
j1ffy said:
It's tragic about Jovian. I didn't enjoy watching him (would have been fascinating to see what he would have been like under a different regime) and can't bear to watch Helgstrand anyway, to put a horse through such a major elective operation so soon after a championship seemed bizarre. No doubt there is a lot more to the story but at least now he can rest in peace.
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I also thought it was way too soon even after a "rest" but I suppose it was a convenient gap in the competition calendar 🙄

As sad as it is, given what his life is probably like with Helgstrand, not the worst thing that could have happened. To go under full medical supervision and hopefully painkillers.
 
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