London International horse show

humblepie said:
Loved the many laps and celebrations by the driving teams. We did say if it was F1 they don't like the winner doing doughnuts.
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It actually looked rather tame compared to what I've seen in Bordeaux, where they also do many laps and do two by two "races" down the long side. I wonder if the arenas are the same size? I haven't seen "no hand" driving before though.
 
ester said:
they did races down the long side on Saturday and Sunday evenings, imagine 12 show jumpers managing that 😅

Olympia is the smallest arena they compete in I think
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They would need the ambulances on stand by for the show jumpers!

I'm always impressed what the drivers can fit four horses, through / around. I think I might struggle to get a ridden horse through in the correct order.
 
I'm just home from a weekend in London, Monday night performance at the show, after a day shopping.

I thought the shopping was OK.

The Grand Prix was excellent, as were the dogs jumping, the Shetlands (although I thought a couple of the riders were a little large, not for the welfare exactly on the ponies, but for the sight it was), the jockeys were better than I thought they would be, the on foot jumping was great.

I wasn't over excited about 2 chariots as it was so obviously staged and no real excitement but...

The Hungarian thing was awful!

never even looked at the darker horses, as the riders were covered in capes, I couldn't get beyond the grey horses. The front rider had a lovely seat, the second rider was unbalanced and tilted in his pelvis and his horse very unhappy, yawping at the bridle and knocked off balance. The poor horse obviously knew the ropes but was hampered. It was certainly not something I would care to see. Riders 3 and 4 (female) were nice but the actual performance was mediocre. I would agree that the RC Quadrille would have been more exciting. Other than a single flying change and the rider no 1 on the grey, the rest did a pony club type musical ride.

When the second set of riders came in, I hoped for better, with the high school movements. No! The horses looked forced and stressed. The ridden ones did a poor presentation of passage, swishing of tails. The in-hand ones were sad to watch. Tight reins and whippy encouragement from behind.

I cringed.

I videoed every other act, as it was my BF's first big show, but I could not bring myself to video the disrespect and stress those horses were put under. I thought we'd moved on as a horse community, but no. It was stressing horses for doing whatever they could get away with. I was so sad.

I lifted some photos today from FB. I will attempt to upload. This is what I saw. I was sad.

On a brighter note, it was a fab jump-off and I loved seeing John Whitaker. Loved the 50 year age gap in the top 4. Some fabulous horses.e183f1663d70353224b7e5049cf768bc.jpeg98d2a2c44e70bf799aff03afc039ca48.jpeg

How anyone enjoyed watching this, I do not know!

I saw stress and force.

I am surprised at the organisers.

This was not 'a moment on time' it was indicative of the performance.
 
Red-1 said:
Who is best to email about the Hungarian horses please?
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I’ve made a complaint to their Code of Conduct dept. Those photos are just vile, how did no one on the floor spot that and pull them up?

The driving has been a crap watch as well, just horses being screamed and shouted at.

I’m sick of watching so much of this sport now, we’re an embarrassment.
 
teapot said:
The Hungarian display being discussed on Reddit too
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I don't even know what Reddit is.

It was an embarrassment to me as I have spent two years introducing my BF to horses.

He is still a raw novice (albeit one who rides to the pub a lot, and enjoys a blast in the stubble LOL) and his observation to me was that the airs above ground horse had no option other than to leap, as it was tied down at the front and whipped at the back legs to make it jump. He says he couldn't see if the horse was whipped in the ring but he thinks it was hit in training so the threat was there. But then it was held so tight it couldn't jump every time.

I guess I've done a good job of teaching various techniques people use in training, and he is pretty astute anyway. It certainly wasn't a picture of harmony.

I'm from a background of training working horses and don't expect 'Disney' but that was just uncomfortable to watch. I certainly didn't appreciate paying to see it!!!

I was fully expecting, and indeed warned him, that the jockey jumping may be uncomfortable, but, on seeing it, I felt OK about it. Yes, there were some uncomfortable moments, but they were just that, moments, and I felt the whole experience of the jockey jumping was fair to the horses. After all, those horses were beautifully presented and trained and any incident was momentary, and nothing more than would be seen at shows up and down the country. He enjoyed the jockey jumping. Horses were ridden forward and happily. A few mishaps were the exception and the competition was fun.

I was left with the impression that the Hungarian horses live a less than happy life. If that is what goes on in public, I dread to think what their day to day life is like. I fear they are drilled in this manner. If tack and riding was done at shows up and down the country like this, they would be pulled for it. I believe it was below welfare standards we expect in this country.

I am surprised the 'act' wasn't pulled once it was seen. I presume all acts are vetted before inclusion, or seen at rehearsal? If not, I'd have pulled them after the first performance.

I asked what he'd (BF) have preferred to see if the act had been cancelled, and he said more dogs. I agree that they looked to be having a ball!
 
St Nicnaclaus said:
Simon Brooks-Ward. His secretary is nicolac@hpower.co.uk or pennyh@hpower.co.uk as Penny Henderson organises the equestrian events.
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I have emailed both, thank you.

I am no 'fluffy' but, sadly, this is the third email I have sent In to various organisations re unfair treatment of working animals used for the entertainment of the public.

One was a lame horse in a huge display.
One a lame reindeer used to pull a sleigh.
And now this, unfair treatment of a horse supposedly showcasing good training.
 
ester said:
horse-hound.visitlink.me

‘As mad as it looks, there’s a strategy to it’: the story behind unorthodox puissance hero Luichew, who stole the show in London

Meet the unorthodox duo of Andrew Hodgins and Shanaclough Luichew, who were puissance heroes at the London International Horse Show
horse-hound.visitlink.me horse-hound.visitlink.me
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I think I have a bit of a soft spot for these 2 as he reminds me so much of my horse who is equally sensitive, quirky, a very anxious horse and occasionally just completely batsh*t - but he has the biggest heart and would do anything for you when you have him on side. Of course I will never be half the rider Andrew is or jumping at that level, but every time he speaks about Luichew it's with such warmth and admiration for the horse despite his flaws, I'm glad he found his person.
 
I’ve also emailed Simon Brooks Ward’s secretaries and HPower. Anyone who wants change in this sport please do the same, it’s the only way things will ever be different. As consumers the power is with us.

If you would like a template:

I’m writing to express my disappointment at the treatment of the Hungarian horses during the display at London International this year.

Horses were showing clear signs of distress during the performance - one horse was very clearly lame, they were being forced into completely unacceptable head carriages (Rollkur), and flash nosebands were far too tight, much beyond the two finger rule. None of these things are FEI legal so why was it accepted as part of a display?

I am disappointed that no one in the organising committee did research or spotted this abuse on the days of the display, and unfortunately it has put me off going to the show in future unless something is done to address the situation. As one of the world’s best and biggest equestrian shows, you have a duty of care and conduct to be a leading example.

There are hundreds of people who feel the same as me - it is being discussed at length on multiple horse forums and Reddit.

Thank you for your time regarding this matter and I look forward to hearing from you.
 
ester said:
horse-hound.visitlink.me

‘As mad as it looks, there’s a strategy to it’: the story behind unorthodox puissance hero Luichew, who stole the show in London

Meet the unorthodox duo of Andrew Hodgins and Shanaclough Luichew, who were puissance heroes at the London International Horse Show
horse-hound.visitlink.me horse-hound.visitlink.me
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Yes just read this. And the comments are interesting. Most are behind him but some are awful. I wouldn't get on that horse so have nothing but admiration for him to have done so well.
 
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