DRESSAGE FANATICS!!!

Comment

Comment by Jan Jollymour on August 12, 2009 at 9:50pm

OK, Ann, I've done enough Law proofing to last until tomorrow night! You've given me a bunch of possible topics, but as I spent the day teaching, I will start with my recollections from today.

I think overall one of the most prevalent problems I see is correct understanding and feel of "connection", which is a little bigger issue than "contact". In order for connection (from the hind legs to the rider's hand/seat) to be established there must be acceptance of contact from both rider and horse, but acceptance of contact is only part of the picture. The horse must consent to step actively towards that contact, and the rider must agree to consistently and sympathetically maintain that contact, regardless of what else happens. Until the rider is able to and willing to maintain that contact connection cannot and will not occur, regardless of enormous driving aids.

The other thing which stands out when I'm teaching and when I'm judging is a lack of understanding of balance. We, as riders, interfere hugely with our horses' abilities to balance, and on a continuous basis. If I could outlaw anything it would a "leading", or "opening" rein! I am constantly confronted with horses who "don't steer", coupled with riders who insist on twisting their horses' necks at nearly right angles to their bodies, and the complaint that the horses just won't turn. How about CAN'T turn, and certainly cannot find or maintain balance while this demand for "bend" is maintained. We, as riders, have a duty to learn about equine structure and mechanics, and what is and is not possible, before we put our feet in the stirrups!

Anyway, enough bitching from me! It sounds like I had a hard day, which is definitely not the case. I had really dedicated and hard-working riders, who did their best to implement new and confusing instructions, but who invariably improved their riding and their horses. I enjoyed them all, and commend their work ethics.

Next time I'll share one of the funny stories, and there are lots (I starred in some of them, and some include friends and clients). We have to remember to laugh in this sport, or we're in danger of taking ourselves entirely too seriously!

Comment by Jan Jollymour on August 12, 2009 at 8:24pm

Hi, Karen:

Here's the excerpt from the current EC Rulebook as regards dressage tests:

ARTICLE E 4.5 SADDLES
1. A plain English black or brown saddle with stirrups is compulsory at
Walk/Trot through Fourth Level.
2. Dressage saddles are required in FEI classes. The saddle must be close
to the horse and have long, near-vertical flaps.
3. An English type saddle may be assembled with or without a tree but
cannot have a horn, swell, gallerie, or open gullet.
4. Australian, Baroque, Endurance, McClellan, Spanish, Stock or Western
saddles are not permitted nor are modified versions of these saddles.
5. Leather or fabric/synthetic saddles are permitted.
6. Saddle covers are not allowed at any level.

A Passier with a medium tree will fit about 90% of horses. Most horses do not need a wide tree, and a saddle which is too wide is just as negative for the horse as one which is too narrow. Unfortunately, you cannot depend on tack store staff to have any idea what works for you and your horses. What size are you? That drives the "seat" size - not the size of YOUR seat, the length of your femur. People with longer legs need bigger saddles, and vice versa. I ride in a 16.5" custom made dressage saddle, as I have very short legs (I'm kind of short all over). I have one with a wide tree, which fits some of our horses (but not most), and another with a medium tree which fits more of them.

I would not want to try to ride intense dressage work in a treeless saddle, it would be a little like running marathons in sandals, comfy with you start but you'd be losing them by the end! However, there's nothing in the rules which says you can't - so it's really a personal decision.

If you are in the market for a saddle I have two friends selling (a) a 17" Passier with a fairly narrow tree (although it works on our Arab/QH gelding, and (b) a 17.5" Schleese CHB, which actually is reasonable on a variety of horses. Both saddles are in the Lower Mainland, so if you would like to try them I could get them here for the Labour Day weekend. Just let me know.

Depending on what you want to spend, a custom dressage saddle runs about $4,300 inclusive of top of the line features. I am home this weekend, and next week, if you'd like to drop by and look at saddles...I'm in the Enderby phone book.

Ann - I'm running out of time, and won't get to your query today, but hopefully tomorrow (I have to proof my daughter's Law 12 submissions tonight, and that's going to take AGES).

Comment by Karen on August 12, 2009 at 1:46pm

Thanks Ann - I have two stocky quarter horses and one quarter-horse arab cross with a little narrower shoulder. I have been using my instructors saddle which is a Passier and it has fit all three horses. I get confused when I start reading ads when they state a medium tree and a wide tree .... I have been shown how to fit a saddle but not that experienced with it. I have been trying out a 'treeless' saddle on loan and find that it was not quite right - a little wide in the pommel.

On your other note - I was told that the treeless saddle I have been trying is legal in the show ring....but I am sure Jan will have better clarification of that question.

Comment by Jan Jollymour on August 12, 2009 at 9:18am

Hi, ladies!

I'm off to teach a clinic today and tomorrow, but may have time late this p.m. to get to the last two posts. I have to check the Rulebook, but in Canada you must use a dressage-type saddle (there's nothing about trees) for FEI level dressage and an "English" (jumping, A/P, or dressage, not "Australian" or "McLellan", or some of the endurance types) saddle for lower levels. I can get you the precise wording later when I have more time. Buying a used dressage saddle is always a good idea!

Ann: I'd be happy to respond to your post below as soon as I have time to breathe - hauling hay all day yesterday and fitting in rides between, etc...!

Thanks, J

Comment by Ann Hatfield on August 12, 2009 at 12:37am

Karen, Are you familiar with fitting saddles? And what sort of back has your horse?Let the group know and people will take the advice from there. And I would like to piggy-back onto your question with one of my own: are treeless-dressage saddle allowed in any levels of competition?

Comment by Karen on August 11, 2009 at 5:19pm

Old rider - very new to Dressage - need help in sorting out how to go about buying a used dressage saddle - what questions do I ask, what do I look for.
Thanks in advance for any helpful input.....

Comment by Ann Hatfield on August 10, 2009 at 8:51pm

Jan j:
Would you be kind enough to post some reminiscences? Tell us about some of your trips, some of the judging you have done, odd things or touching things that have happened, perhaps how you see students/competititors struggle with certain movements over and over, changes you see in the sport since you began; that sort of thing.

Comment by Jane Savoie on August 10, 2009 at 8:09am

Remember that only the folks on my newsletter list get the Freedom from Fear program at a REDUCED cost, and they also get the FREE ebook 101 Tips to Ride your Horse on the Bit. In that book, I reveal things that few people explain in a way you can understand and use! If you're not already signed up for the newsletter, go to www.janesavoie.com

Comment by Catherine on August 7, 2009 at 4:18pm

your welcome! I love meeting other dressage enthusiasts like myself. Thanks for joining!

Comment by angelea @ HorseGirlTV on August 7, 2009 at 12:35pm

thanks for creating this group. :)

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last