Uthopia, Valegro and many more (belated Fritzens thread)

FrodoBeutlin said:
The place is too gorgeous. too conducive to harmony and peace ;) ;) ;)
Click to expand...

And of course all the riders are excellent, and the horses beautifully trained. I can't imagine shennanigans would be very well tolerated.Then again, perhaps all the horses have been trained to ignore naughty horses/ out of control riders as well as dachshunds :)
 
Well they're top competition horses, even though most of them are extremely sharp you don't really see out-of-control-horses during the warm-up...!!! Neither in Fritzens nor anywhere else, really. Prize givings might be a slightly different story.
 
FrodoBeutlin said:
Well they're top competition horses, even though most of them are extremely sharp you don't really see out-of-control-horses during the warm-up...!!! Neither in Fritzens nor anywhere else, really. Prize givings might be a slightly different story.
Click to expand...

*nods pensively*
Whose horse was it got kicked quite badly in a prize giving several years ago? Was it Rembrandt?
 
Lovely photos, capture the movements and ambience perfectly, thank you.

Thats a rather tight flash noseband in the first pic tho... the horse with the swelling looks to be the effect of an overtight noseband as well, such a shame as surely they can't need them that tight, i know nothing about top class dressage horses but really don't like to see tack so tight and restricting.
 
LOL - you're too kind. But I agree re. quality of riding and horses: for such a relatively small show, I was really spoilt! So glad I went.
(I do regret not paying a visit to the Swarovski factory and outlet, though :( )

I really think that all true dressage enthusiasts should try and attend European shows every now and then - you can learn SO much just by watching & analysing, both the top-top-top riders and those competing at Small Tour level.

I don't think this is a sport where you can just hide in your own little 'bubble', however successful you might be in there - you really need to get out and watch & learn as much as you possibly can.
 
FrodoBeutlin said:
LOL - you're too kind. But I agree re. quality of riding and horses: for such a relatively small show, I was really spoilt! So glad I went.
(I do regret not paying a visit to the Swarovski factory and outlet, though :( )

I really think that all true dressage enthusiasts should try and attend European shows every now and then - you can learn SO much just by watching & analysing, both the top-top-top riders and those competing at Small Tour level.

I don't think this is a sport where you can just hide in your own little 'bubble', however successful you might be in there - you really need to get out and watch & learn as much as you possibly can.
Click to expand...

I think it's all too easy for riders to lose perspective; I've groomed and spectated at a several events since I've been back in the UK and there really is a mix in standards; you get the pros/serious amateurs who do consistently well and get consistent scores, and then you get some people who one feels really should get a few lessons under their belt before attempting that level. And even so, because the quality of riding and horses is so diverse, and class numbers are often tiny, it's possible for almost anyone to get a few 'good' results when in real terms, they're frankly a bit crap. Sadly this can all too often lead to astounding arrogance and I've heard of trainers having to show their pupils videos of themselves side by side with top riders to prove they're not all that! I bet that doesn't happen in Germany!
I LOVE watching dressage, and dressage at the top level is just exquisite. Bad dressage is torture.
 
Stunning photos once again FB! You must have an amazing collection by now, quite a record of all the current riders/horses and how they develop through the last few years!
 
Absolutely stunning photos like usual! Thank you very much for sharing. However this one, while a firm favorite has made me terribly homesick for mountains & Chile all day!

DSC_0054.jpg


No wonder the Europeans are into bling if Swaroski sponsor their comps! I'm not a bling person but I think I could be swayed by that rug! :)

Also, Carls noseband, is it all 'patent' or does it just have a fancy patent section?
 
Last edited:
PapaFrita said:
I think it's all too easy for riders to lose perspective; I've groomed and spectated at a several events since I've been back in the UK and there really is a mix in standards; you get the pros/serious amateurs who do consistently well and get consistent scores, and then you get some people who one feels really should get a few lessons under their belt before attempting that level. And even so, because the quality of riding and horses is so diverse, and class numbers are often tiny, it's possible for almost anyone to get a few 'good' results when in real terms, they're frankly a bit crap. Sadly this can all too often lead to astounding arrogance and I've heard of trainers having to show their pupils videos of themselves side by side with top riders to prove they're not all that! I bet that doesn't happen in Germany!
Click to expand...

I agree. I think the problem with the UK is that people really can have a very insular mentality. Just look at how few riders, comparatively speaking, go abroad to train. Ok this is only my anectodal experience, but the yards in Germany are full of Australians, Americans, lots of Europeans...and very few Brits. I consider myself a serious dressage amateur ('serious' meaning that I take my dressage very seriously....sadly no indication of my riding LOL) and I jumped at the chance of going to Germany to train - I just would not have been happy competing and doing well in my own little country. I felt it was an absolutely necessary step, and I am only competing at lowish levels!!

However, even only looking on here, on this forum - so few people actually make that step. It's "top-dog syndrome", people do well at whatever level they are competing, grow in confidence, and NEVER go out of their comfort zone.

I personally would never choose a trainer who has not spent some time abroad, and am very suspicious of self-professed "trainers" who don't even show an interest in what happens outside their bubble. It's so essential to question yourself as a rider and challenge yourself!!
 
Fabulous pictures! What a beautiful setting as well. Really nice to see some 'relaxed' pics of the horses just chilling in their stables as well.....valegro seems happy enough to meet his adoring fans!

The picture of the test with the dog made me chuckle!!
 
Felicity_09 said:
No wonder the Europeans are into bling if Swaroski sponsor their comps! I'm not a bling person but I think I could be swayed by that rug! :)
Click to expand...

They're not just sponsors here - the yard in Fritzens where the competition was held is Mrs Swarovski's own yard and house! That's why they have a Swarovski chandelier in the indoor and everything, from rosettes to winner's rugs, is encrusted in crystals :eek:

When I was based at Valentina's yard, years ago, and she went to Fritzens to compete, she said that every single competitor received a complimentary Swarovski browband upon arrival (this was back in the day when bling browbands were not as common as they are now...)

Aaah that must come under "the perks of the job"!!!!!!!
 
FrodoBeutlin said:
I agree. I think the problem with the UK is that people really can have a very insular mentality. Just look at how few riders, comparatively speaking, go abroad to train. Ok this is only my anectodal experience, but the yards in Germany are full of Australians, Americans, lots of Europeans...and very few Brits. I consider myself a serious dressage amateur ('serious' meaning that I take my dressage very seriously....sadly no indication of my riding LOL) and I jumped at the chance of going to Germany to train - I just would not have been happy competing and doing well in my own little country. I felt it was an absolutely necessary step, and I am only competing at lowish levels!!

However, even only looking on here, on this forum - so few people actually make that step. It's "top-dog syndrome", people do well at whatever level they are competing, grow in confidence, and NEVER go out of their comfort zone.

I personally would never choose a trainer who has not spent some time abroad, and am very suspicious of self-professed "trainers" who don't even show an interest in what happens outside their bubble. It's so essential to question yourself as a rider and challenge yourself!!
Click to expand...

It's not just the UK and not just dressage; I know of someone in Argentina given the chance to ride for a top German SJer and they didn't want to go because they would be expected to muck out!! Astounding!!! A couple of others DID go, managed to get their head round the whole mucking out scenario and did very well. I think they're planning on going back.
Agree with everything else you say :)
 
I think the brits are travelling to the continent more and more. All the decent dressage riders I can think of train either in Germany or the Netherlands.
If you look at most of the Young Rider blogs they all disappear abroad throughout the year or for a period of time.
For the serious amateur if you work full time I think it is probably seriously tough to go and train abroad both financially and time wise when there are some very good trainers in this country.
 
Yes I am talking about the serious amateur! I don't believe in the 'money' excuse, you can always work as a groom to pay for your training. And a lot of jobs will let you take one year out or something like that.

I really think the main reason is fear of leaving your comfort zone...where you are top dog.
 
just looked at the others in the thread, i love it when the riders are affectionate with the horses, not all top riders are in the public eye. When Mary king cantered past at burghley and gave her horse a massive pat and said 'good boy we can do this' I nearly cried lol
 
FrodoBeutlin said:
Yes I am talking about the serious amateur! I don't believe in the 'money' excuse, you can always work as a groom to pay for your training. And a lot of jobs will let you take one year out or something like that.

I really think the main reason is fear of leaving your comfort zone...where you are top dog.
Click to expand...

I think that's rather unfair to be honest, as it's just not that easy for some people - no matter how serious an amateur you would like to be. If it was me in that position (and whilst I would consider myself a reasonably serious amateur, I'm not 'that' serious - or that good - so it will never happen ;) ) I have a reasonably well paid job that funds my hobby, along with my mortgage, family, etc, etc. I'm afraid that (no disrespect to anyone) a groom's wage while I trained abroad for a year would not keep all of that ticking along, and I would end up coming home to a repossession notice from the mortgage company, and a husband, 2 Jack Russells and 2 horses with their cases packed, sitting on the doorstep! I would also come back to no job at all, as there is no way on this earth that my employer would let me have a year (or even 6 months) off :eek:

Stunning pics of fabulous horses in a beautiful setting - thanks for sharing :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top