This week's Horse and Hound front cover

[little_critter]

I thought this was interesting to watch.

Lovely straight changes.

 

[ycbm]

It's a lovely picture and I really admire the dedication and expertise it takes to get to the top.

I appreciate seeing a contrary point of view to ensure we all think about what we are saying.

I agree with the second half of your sentence.
.

 

[ponynutz]

Well, an adult human can consent to becoming a professional athlete. Children and animals can’t.

(Don’t get me started on the minimum age at the Olympics …..)

Do appreciate that! And I do think the pain of getting them out there while they have no idea what’s happening can’t be nice for them.

But equally you could apply that same sentiment then to the entire sport? (I’m not saying we shouldn’t but is the entire sport unethical by that logic? Kind of just playing devil’s advocate here!)

 

[teapot]

It's Glamourdale - he constantly looks pissed off/on edge which doesn't help imho

 

[equinerebel]

Do appreciate that! And I do think the pain of getting them out there while they have no idea what’s happening can’t be nice for them.

But equally you could apply that same sentiment then to the entire sport? (I’m not saying we shouldn’t but is the entire sport unethical by that logic? Kind of just playing devil’s advocate here!)

Absolutely a valid point and one I’m torn on. I do believe horses can truly love what they are asked of, so I’m conflicted.

 

[tristars]

we have somewhere the video tape of great dressage horses, i just loved corlandus, [margitte otto crepin] , power surge, swinging and his face! magnificent beast!

it was reported anna grethe jensen was offered 1 million for marzog but declined the offer

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It's Glamourdale - he constantly looks pissed off/on edge which doesn't help imho

Which surely makes you have to wonder why he constantly looks that way? I empathise with his neck conformation and that making him look worse than he is in some instances, but horses don’t routinely look unhappy for no reason..

 

[Cortez]

It's Glamourdale - he constantly looks pissed off/on edge which doesn't help imho

I've never seen this horse competing in the flesh, but wasn't there just an entire thread very recently about how perennially tense he was? Some horses, like people, are just naturally highly strung, neurotic and on edge. For me the question would be why someone decided to try and train this particular horse for the sport. Wouldn't be my first choice to aim for high level competition for sure.....

And then of course there's the whole question of why judges are rewarding performances that are as unpleasant to watch as this appears to be. FWIW (and this is by no means excusing anything) the cover picture wouldn't be the worst by a very long shot.

 

[teapot]

I've never seen this horse competing in the flesh, but wasn't there just an entire thread very recently about how perennially tense he was? Some horses, like people, are just naturally highly strung, neurotic and on edge. For me the question would be why someone decided to try and train this particular horse for the sport. Wouldn't be my first choice to aim for high level competition for sure.....

And then of course there's the whole question of why judges are rewarding performances that are as unpleasant to watch as this appears to be. FWIW (and this is by no means excusing anything) the cover picture wouldn't be the worst by a very long shot.

I think Everdale may be the hotter one thinking about it One of them has to be trotted up by the male owner as Lottie doesn't have a chance, which says something in itself.

 

[ester]

See I've always thought he looks better than everdale overall (everdale is who the previous thread was about)