On the topic of today's dressage

[CanteringCarrot]

I was going to post this in the Lottie and Everdale thread, but I think that this article deserves a thread of its own.

I've followed Anja Beran for many years, and I think she has some very good points and observations with explanations in this article. It was a good read.

In the Lottie and Everdale thread I know that the passage has come up, and Anja makes some good comments about that too.

2024 Burgtagung: Anja Beran - "Schooling The Eye"

With 20 short seminars on Saturday and 10 on Sunday, the Burgtagung was action packed. On Saturday afternoon I was in a quandary: Uta Gräf’s lecture "Time factors in horse training" and Anja Beran’s "Eye schooling" lecture ran simultaneously and both seemed super interesting to attend.

eurodressage.com

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Going to add this one about Anja and Uta Gräf. Both articles are well worth a read.

I've done two clinics with Uta on my last horse, and also conversed with her husband (Stefan Schneider) on Iberians and working equitation.

One thing I liked about Uta was that she talked to me about how she's changed over the years and how she keeps horses differently (in a herd for example). Some of it was due to the blending of her and Stefan's styles/ideas. I liked that she was open to different ways of management and finding the best thing for the horse.

2024 Burgtagung: Fair and Delightful Dressage Training with Uta Gräf and Anja Beran

More than a decade ago German trainer and Grand Prix rider Uta Gräf took care of a little dressage revolution when she was launched on the international scene with her shiny black Holsteiner stallion Le Noir (by Leandro x Caletto I). Her strikingly wild platinum blonde hair and big smile are her...

eurodressage.com

 

[Elno]

That was a lovely read, indeed. Glad to see there are people still loving and caring for their horses and not just see them as machines.

Unfortunately I have lost all faith in dressage recently. So much that I'm not even sure I ever again want to participate in dressage training sessions anymore like I very much used to because just the thought of it makes my stomach turn, nor do I want to participate in clinics or watch the dressage elite abuse their horses while the FEI just stands there and does absolutely nothing or even worse, give them high scores for visibly very unhappy horses. The last blow was IW's tone deaf attempts to explain why she rode a horse like shit in a clinic and her defence of Helgstrand.

 

[eahotson]

I was going to post this in the Lottie and Everdale thread, but I think that this article deserves a thread of its own.

I've followed Anja Beran for many years, and I think she has some very good points and observations with explanations in this article. It was a good read.

In the Lottie and Everdale thread I know that the passage has come up, and Anja makes some good comments about that too.

2024 Burgtagung: Anja Beran - "Schooling The Eye"

With 20 short seminars on Saturday and 10 on Sunday, the Burgtagung was action packed. On Saturday afternoon I was in a quandary: Uta Gräf’s lecture "Time factors in horse training" and Anja Beran’s "Eye schooling" lecture ran simultaneously and both seemed super interesting to attend.

eurodressage.com

I am still working through it all but what she says makes sense to me.

 

[Cortez]

Anja Beran is one of the few shining lights in a very dark dressage world, I’m so glad she is getting some exposure. It is all about getting people to see the difference and showing it by examples of what has become the so, so corrupted “norm”. I hope there is some headway and momentum.

 

[shortstuff99]

These are great articles! I agree especially about how many top scored piaffes are not piaffes, everyone always looks at me like I'm bonkers when I don't agree!

 

[Wizpop]

Going to add this one about Anja and Uta Gräf. Both articles are well worth a read.

I've done two clinics with Uta on my last horse, and also conversed with her husband (Stefan Schneider) on Iberians and working equitation.

One thing I liked about Uta was that she talked to me about how she's changed over the years and how she keeps horses differently (in a herd for example). Some of it was due to the blending of her and Stefan's styles/ideas. I liked that she was open to different ways of management and finding the best thing for the horse.

2024 Burgtagung: Fair and Delightful Dressage Training with Uta Gräf and Anja Beran

More than a decade ago German trainer and Grand Prix rider Uta Gräf took care of a little dressage revolution when she was launched on the international scene with her shiny black Holsteiner stallion Le Noir (by Leandro x Caletto I). Her strikingly wild platinum blonde hair and big smile are her...

eurodressage.com

Does anyone know what that bit is that Uta is riding in?

 

[reynold]

OP thank you for posting. Very interesting and, as above, at least there are a few voices still speaking up for the horse.

 

[Tarragon]

https://www.philippe-karl.com/
I am a complete novice in comparison, but I have been trying to start my youngster with the help of someone who follows Philippe Karl. I think that there are still people training to very high standards who are putting the horse first.

 

[Wizpop]

Also a total novice by comparison, but have admired Anja Beran and her training for years. It would be such a wonderful thing indeed if she became more popular. There are so many of us who long to see this kind of training and for it to become the ‘ norm’.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Does anyone know what that bit is that Uta is riding in?

I've seen that bit before but cannot recall who makes it. I just searched and can't find it. I know I've seen them, but just can't remember! It's bothering me now!

Edit: I think it is the Acavallo Sensitive bit.

 

[Wizpop]

I've seen that bit before but cannot recall who makes it. I just searched and can't find it. I know I've seen them, but just can't remember! It's bothering me now!

Edit: I think it is the Acavallo Sensitive bit.

Thank you! Was curious- looking it up,it seems to be a bit of a marmite bit but some horses love it as we can see.

 

[splashgirl45]

What a refreshing read those posts are, she is saying what I have thought for years. I could never see why some combinations scored so highly in movements that I felt were incorrect, I have ridden a GP horse with the owner telling me which buttons to press so have had a little feel of GP riding but only ever did prelim and novice on my own horse but think I’ve got a good eye for what is correct. Let’s hope the judges start to look at things in a different way now the sh-t has hit the fan ..

 

[daffy44]

I loved both those articles, for those who are interested Uta Graf's book "Effortless Dressage Program" is also brilliant, its one of my favourites.