Forced Helplessness

The following article is by Uwe Spenlen an International Judge entitled Forced Helplessness.

Unfortunately the global dressage scene today does not appear to be particularly promising.

The FEI's tendency towards indecisiveness in regards to important issues such as "Rollkur" ( which has after months of discussion been renamed to "Hyperflexion of the neck") does little to improve this situation.

Unfortunately this change of phrase does little to alleviate the symptoms of what remains a questionable method when assessed alongside the tried and proven methods of the Classical Scale of Equestrian Education, the International Training System.

This is not the first time that there has been an attempt at alternate training methods which aim to influence the horses behaviour through forced posture and unnatural movements. This sort of approach to riding has falsely gained credibility through the misappropriation and misuse of many classical phrases and concepts. The false application of these terms is an obvious and transparent attempt to mislead and misinform whilst usurping the credibility of the classical approach which it is attempting to mimic....