Tension in Dressage

Oh I’m a flapper I’ll confess to that. Mostly it doesn’t make a jot of difference and it’s worse when I’m jumping as then both arms and legs start going, but I’d never advocate or approve of it. It’s something I need to train out of. Thankfully my legs are so ineffective F just ignores me 🤣
 
Brilliant thread (other than the toys out of the pram moments). There is so much really helpful and insightful comments from the "bullying gang".

I have only just started to do a bit of dressage, only doing intros ATM, as my boy is struggling to maintain any real balance in canter. It's coming, but definitely a work in progress. He shows his tension by not working behind and neighing. I know that we can get the working behind sorted, but not sure what to do about the neighing! Comments on the sheet, last time out, included - on centre line entry "loss of straightness when neighing". I am hoping that the more he goes out and about, the more relaxed he will be, and less neighing.

Thanks again for passing on some of this invaluable insights
 
EllenJay said:
Brilliant thread (other than the toys out of the pram moments). There is so much really helpful and insightful comments from the "bullying gang".

I have only just started to do a bit of dressage, only doing intros ATM, as my boy is struggling to maintain any real balance in canter. It's coming, but definitely a work in progress. He shows his tension by not working behind and neighing. I know that we can get the working behind sorted, but not sure what to do about the neighing! Comments on the sheet, last time out, included - on centre line entry "loss of straightness when neighing". I am hoping that the more he goes out and about, the more relaxed he will be, and less neighing.

Thanks again for passing on some of this invaluable insights
Click to expand...

EJ I think the neighing will solve itself when he gets more relaxed and generally focused on you in a show atmosphere. IME unless they are pair bonded and travelling with their pair to the show, calling during their work tends not to be a problem once they get established. My green one will neigh now and then if she's anxious but generally doesn't break rhythm or contact to do so, which makes it less of an issue. Keep on trucking, and don't worry about it at this stage would be my approach.
 
the commentator said they were arabian? look like friesan to me (the black ones) have decided i didnt like that display...dog agility now, more my cup of tea.......think i will have a coffee though...
 
OP I have read right through this thread and have absolutely not one jot of worthwhile opinion to share on the subject.

However, I really do hope you are OK and regret very much that some people who have responded to your thread with great enthusiasm for critique of almost every word you wrote, failed miserably to pick up on how much they were upsetting and distressing you. I think even if they did not agree with you it might have been far wiser and far more mature to have simply backed away from this thread when it became very evident how much their somewhat harsh and frankly irrelevant responses became and had very little to do with informative opinion on your original post.

I have a tough hide and don't give a flying feck what responses I get from posting my opinion here or elsewhere - however I do recognise when someone is obviously extremely distressed and upset by an apparent concerted effort to follow the pack and wade in - yet again :mad: Take care and I hope you have a very happy Christmas and new year and leave all this where it belongs - in la la internet land when absolutley nobody is what they seem and like to portray..
 
Last edited:
milliepops said:
... No one is what they seem... quite 🤔
Those of us who have been round the block on HHO know who to take at face value, and who to raise an eyebrow of suspicion to 😉
Click to expand...

Oh do grow up for heaven's sake...are you 10??? Your suggested 'intrigue' and pride in your longevity at H&H does not one thing to excuse your cruel and shameful behaviour shown on this thread to someone who is very obviously feeling vulnerable and in need of some slack from the more robust and hard headed posters on this forum. I dont care who the OP is now, was before on this forum, and might be next week....the bottom line is very obvious flags were showing that this was becoming distressful and making the OP fell very, very upset and depressed. Christ there are some real bitches in the real and internet pretend horse world for sure >:(
 
I nominate this thread as the most bonkers thread this year.
I actually feel a bit dazed after reading it as I can't relate what I've read to what the op say they have read, it like I've read something different to them. Shows how much the written word can be misinterpreted depending on your state of mind.
Found it interesting thou even for confirmed showjumper.
 
Last edited:
I hated Santi the last time he came (with a rather lame arab), I went three times that year and it didn't improve for watching.
I couldn't understand how sweated up and breathless the friesians were on Weds, and I was genuinely concerned for the one who both times struggled to lie down from the 'sit' position and get stuck in a rather contorted position, he also had padded fronts.

There was one part of the act that he did on dressage day they didn't do wednesday re. one horse standing on the other but still not a single one appreciated dogs jumping over it.

I do like the glut of gingers from the French and the Azerbajani's though who couldn't get there for weds.
 
MrsJingle said:
Oh do grow up for heaven's sake...are you 10??? Your suggested 'intrigue' and pride in your longevity at H&H does not one thing to excuse your cruel and shameful behaviour shown on this thread to someone who is very obviously feeling vulnerable and in need of some slack from the more robust and hard headed posters on this forum. I dont care who the OP is now, was before on this forum, and might be next week....the bottom line is very obvious flags were showing that this was becoming distressful and making the OP fell very, very upset and depressed. Christ there are some real bitches in the real and internet pretend horse world for sure :mad:
Click to expand...


And it was suggested many times by several people that she perhaps take a break if she was struggling/getting that upset, people are able to take responsibility for their own actions.
 
Aside from the madness, in case anyone has seen the recommendations for writing for a judge then absolutely do it, it is the MOST USEFUL thing I have done. I write every month for my RC, usually prelim and novice as I compete in intro and prelim and watching 15 different horses do the same test has really helped me understand what they are looking for and how to interpret the comments. The judges have always been so friendly and more than happy to answer questions and discuss their feedback (after the test has finished) and once they know you are interested they will talk you through what they like and why which is basically like having a free lesson!

FWIW I have met MP in person and she was nothing like she is being described on here, she was lovely, helpful, and very knowledgeable and I have progressed my horse using her advice. I have not met Ester in person but she has always been very helpful over PM. I think something odd is going on but just wanted to contribute as felt it was right to!
 
Totally agree emfen, I'm hoping to do some more while I have the time at some point. Though writing for rural riders (7 at once) was quite entertaining to say the least!
 
ester said:
Totally agree emfen, I'm hoping to do some more while I have the time at some point. Though writing for rural riders (7 at once) was quite entertaining to say the least!
Click to expand...

This is the problem I have now, I was writing before I started competing there (just to make sure I wouldnt make a total fool of myself if I went over) but now I want to compete in the tests I write for - I'm wondering about volunteering for other places but not sure that is the done thing?
 
emfen1305 said:
This is the problem I have now, I was writing before I started competing there (just to make sure I wouldnt make a total fool of myself if I went over) but now I want to compete in the tests I write for - I'm wondering about volunteering for other places but not sure that is the done thing?
Click to expand...

I can't think that volunteering to write anywhere would be anything but good.

I did some writing for a BD judge in training. That was interesting as the BD judge also judged, then the score sheets were compared. That was indeed like a free lesson.
 
Red-Nose said:
I can't think that volunteering to write anywhere would be anything but good.

I did some writing for a BD judge in training. That was interesting as the BD judge also judged, then the score sheets were compared. That was indeed like a free lesson.
Click to expand...

I think I'll look in the New Year, there are quite a few venues near me so it is worth dropping them a message. Ooh that sounds fun, I just really enjoy doing it, much more than I did stewarding for showing as you don't really get much out of the judges there!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top