THE HORSE MAGAZINE

Travelling Around Europe…
with your horse!
Story and photos - Roger Fitzhardinge

There are numerous lucky Australians who get to visit Europe and the famed dressage stables over there, but there are far fewer who get to take their own horse! When Roger Fitzhardinge was asked to loan his horse, Berkeley Castle (alias Brian) to the Australian Team for the Paralympics in Athens, he quickly worked out that it would be dumb not to seize the opportunity to make the short journey to Germany and Holland train, and also visit the famous Global Dressage Forum…
Loading my horse Brian, on a Martinair 747 at Sydney Airport one rainy September evening made me stop and realise the enormity of the world and how amazing life really is.
To head off, half way around the globe, with one 17 hand, 680 kg, grey gelding, to attend the Paralympics and then to stay in Europe and train for 6 weeks - what a mix! Excitement, fear of the unknown, the challenge - was this ludicrous and outrageous?
All of the above. It was happening, and we were off, Hong Kong, Dubai, Amsterdam, Munster, Athens with three other Paralympic horses and assorted freight filling every millimetre.
The logistics of getting a horse safe-and-sound through a 50-hour journey across the world is challenge enough. To look after him for the three weeks in Athens for his Paralympian rider Anne Skinner was another challenge, and happily, a successful one.
Then it was time to leave the security of the team and fly alone to Germany to train. Once again the logistics are a worry. Leaving Athens with Brian, the now 640 kg grey on one plane, my tack box on another flight and me on another was nightmare potential. The wondrous sight of Brian and the Tack box together, and in one piece, was a perfect start and we were met and duly taken by road to Martina Hannöver and Jorn Sternberg's property just north of Hamburg.
Having not ridden Brian for a few weeks was going to be interesting but he was great and stepped straight back into work with me as if there had been no break. He has an amazing ability to accept change and he has a great personality and heart.
The feed was quite different, as was the routine and the weather which went from 30 plus in Athens to 10 at Martina's. The feeds are small and high protein with hay that is like grass hay.
Brian was walked in the morning under saddle for about 30 minutes, usually in the indoor and if the weather was good there was a track around some small paddocks.
In the afternoon it was a lesson with Martina or her Bereiter, always in the indoor arena.

The lessons are often broken up helping other riders who were working Martina's horses at the same time or a phone call or another client but everyone gets on with the task at hand and simply to be in the midst of such good riders, horses and training inspires you to focus and to concentrate at all times. Unfortunately the other help was always in German of course, and with my limited German this did take the edge off my ability to really closely follow others.
Martina is very strong on position and having an independent seat and always having a long leg and an upper body that looks to the direction you are going, with a still and low hand. These rider corrections are continuous in all movements. With the horse the task is to always keep him forward. Not hurried but sharp to the leg. In regards to the frame always have the horse loose at the poll, whether the horse was deep or up, he was to stay soft and straight.
I spent many many hours watching training as I didn't have a full day's riding and this was an invaluable experience. Martina works with an amazing variety of very talented horses from 3 years to aged Grand Prix schoolmasters and all in between. Several were by the famous Rubinstein, the black Grand Prix stallion who gave Martina her great start into the dressage circle of German winners.
Martina was in the midst of competing during my stay and so my lessons with her were few and I am afraid in the two weeks I only managed six but I did get to see plenty of training. The horses are always walked for at least 10 minutes with a quarter sheet and then off it comes as well as riders jackets (it was already really cold!) and then into trot. Long lines and big circles and always checking the horses are forward with sudden bursts of very forward work, then into cruise with the intention of “ready to spring again at any moment.”
Suppling work is done with transitions to collection and then forward and always a few steps in rhythm and then out again, especially in canter. In the trot, the main exercise is half pass and varying degrees of steepness depending on the stage of training and great emphasis on the use of the outside rein to bring the horse across. In canter again the collected strides but always with a big forward stride that stays in rhythm. The travers for a few steps collecting again and the working pirouettes.
All horses are always warmed up with absolute basic work and if there are any problems here, they will be addressed and maybe no lateral work or advanced work done at all in that session. It is only when the horse's basic balance and overall feeling is through, that the exercises are constructed and then check the rhythm and balance again and if this is not through, do not proceed until it is again established.
Most horses only got out of their boxes once a day and the stables are all indoors with most having no look to the outside. There were a lot of colts and stallions and they were all well behaved. Very rarely did they go outside and never in a yard or paddock. Horses stay in work all year around and it is a very organised programme and the horses seem to accept this routine and steadily gain strength and balance over the years of concentrated and dedicated work.
The Dressage barn is a definite structured work place and neither fun nor light hearted, but if it is dressage that you want to learn, here in Germany, then this is how it is. It was a definite learning experience and one I will always remember.
Then it was pack-up-and-move again by truck, 12 hours south to 20 minutes east of Antwerp in Belgium where I was to spend nearly four weeks with Dutch Olympic rider Arjen Teeuwissen. This was to be a very memorable time and an interesting comparison to Germany and Australia to say the least!
The stable complex and indoor arena was nothing short of exceptional, under one roof and circular. The 20 stables, wash bays, saddle up bays, solariums, tack and laundry facilities, were on the outer circumference then a wide cobbled walkway all the way around, then gardens and water features and then a circular sitting/coffee room, elevated above the ground level with windows all around looking out to the stables. It is truly beautiful and very functional. What was wonderful was that in the garden was a huge old table and all the staff would sit at lunch and eat together and discuss and laugh off their daily happenings.
The barn was like a huge horse house and people and horses ate and worked totally together. There were candelabras adorned with apples and I wonder who the apples went to! It was an amazing atmosphere and always spotless. Modest but full of artistic flair and character. This contented and happy work place filtered to all who came. Coffee was always on tap, as were talented horses and good training and care.
The routine here was different and the horses were fed 5 times during the day. They all went on the walker in the morning early and then were worked mostly before lunch. Some solely by Arjen and some warmed up by other riders and then with Arjen. At the same time Frank was always there with eyes on the ground to give constant feed back as to the way the horse was going. Again in the afternoon they were out and groomed after another stroll on the walker and then some were hand grazed or walked. Several paddocks were constantly in rotation so they mostly too had freedom.

The horses varied from 4 years old upwards and from pre competition to International Grand Prix and of course there was the star, Gestion Goliath who was back in full swing after a short break recovering from a minor strain that was untimely in the campaign to get to Athens. As with any elite athlete, management of minor injuries is of the utmost importance and always closely monitored here with great vet and physio support.
It is in the work that there were some differences and to start, there is always a good walk. An amazing firm limestone road goes around the property and the Castle situated in the middle of the estate. To start each session, there was a 15-minute walk around the castle through amazing Oak trees and rhododendrons. Then it was onto the arena, rugs and jackets off. It was always preferred to use the outdoor arena as a better feeling of room and air and forward was established but there were times that the weather was so bad that the indoor was used - but even if it was cold and drizzling, work was outdoors.
The warm up was always calm and determined, to get the horses in front of the leg and this was done in trot. Of course with the more established horses it was always in the roundness required for that horse but always the forward first. The rider's leg must always be still and not pushing against the horse's sides - as any touch was to gain a reaction and so the forward response was absolutely from the lightest touch from the leg and once the response occurred, then leg away again until another change was required.
The voice was used for the downward transitions so as to not get the horses to fade and be behind the leg. The reins are the principle aid to slow down and the leg to go forward and so these two opposing aids are best kept separate.
Transitions within the paces were often, as were transitions from one pace to another and the horse had to always be forward thinking for himself. Woe betide the rider with wobbling legs that touched without initiating a response. Untidy legs were not tolerated at all and you had to be aware of this and make sure that you were not getting the horse dull to a leg that was nagging.
The neck was ridden into a shape that was of benefit to the horse's development and with many that had good well-set on necks this was invariably into a deep and round outline. Arjen explained that care was always needed when beginning this work as there was a huge correlation between the deep, and the forward desire, and that they always go hand in hand and that eyes on the ground to check this were so important.
As a Physiotherapist and loving the anatomy and kinesiology associated with balance and movement, of course the frame has always interested me. There is no question that the neck position has a huge influence over balance, and in allowing a horse to let go and use his back correctly. This lets him use his body to move his legs, not move his legs to move his body!!
The deep frame is the best way to get the abdominal muscles to contract and in turn produce a strong back that is up and able to carry the rider and also this rounded back allows the hind leg to move freely and step well under the body. It is a very logical progression and from the deep frame, a loose neck and then a more engaged hind leg is the way to produce an amazing athletic horse. I have never seen such loose and enthusiastic horses. They are all free, and always in good spirits and never is there tension or force used. I was amazed at the way they let go and, especially in the canter, to see the improvement in the activity and expression and ability of the horses to get off the ground, was incredible.
There were always periods of bringing the horses up and this was achieved by sitting them more and allowing the confident balance gained from the deep frame to grow into a raised neck. The basic roundness, straightness and forward desire was worked on in every session without fail and then from this grows the lateral work and the FEI work. The ability to get a horse through is the hardest thing and then the rest is easy and the horse too finds it all easier once the throughness in the neck and the whole body is gained.
To say that the horses at Arjen's were happy athletes is, a bit of an 'in' saying, but they truly were and that is on and off the dressage arena.
The horses at Arjen's were also lunged in running reins to show round and soft elastic strides, but always thinking forward. They were taken once a week for a ride through the forests adjoining the property and they were jumped either under saddle or on the lunge over small fences and over trotting grids.
There was no chance of boring work and every horse was catered for on its own merits and worked accordingly.
The most important point is CONSISTANCY !!
Never was there any moment when the attention to the consistency of the aids is not adhered to, and so the horses were never confused. Every day the same aids, the same principles and never are they forced to be ready for this comp or that comp and are allowed to gain the strength and the confidence at their own rates.
It was an amazing experience and a time that has shown me the need for patience and consistency to make sure the foundations are established at all times. Never think, 'today we are going to do passage or flying changes or rein back', it just happens when the feeling is correct and the horse is ready to give it to you, through a feeling of wanting to have a go, strength, confidence and balance.
Arjen was easy to follow, logical and patient and, above all, a person who took control of the entire well being of his athletic partners from feeding through to Grand Prix.
So it was on to another totally different experience - the famous Global Dressage Forum, which was again organised by The Academy (of Joep and Tineke Bartels) in conjunction with The Dressage Trainers Club and was under the patronage of the FEI. As the title infers, Global, the forum is International, and where ideas on particular issues can be exchanged.
The concept is certainly perfect. The Trainers Club and the FEI sound important and when you were amongst those at the Forum there was no doubt you were amongst the elite. It was also hellishly expensive.
Australia was represented by Mary Seefried and I was lucky enough to be in a position to take advantage of the experience and what an experience it was!
I am not sure how the information from this Forum is spread to the sport in general*. Probably the drip filtration method. Most topics were not of the kind to be taken on board and spread globally as new and interesting dressage information.
As for discussion, it seemed that no International or Olympic Judge was going to step out of line and raise contentious issues. You certainly would not have heard anything about the Olympic judges' spread of marks on the same movements at Aachen or Athens. It was all a happy family discussing the new concept of the “happy athlete!” This is where invitations to judge at international competitions are handed out, so who in their right mind was going to be outspoken? We are all “happy judges” and there are no problems facing our sport…
No rider or trainer invited to talk at the Forum, amongst these elite judges and FEI officials who determine their international status, was going to step out of line and take those, who determine their future, to task! Happy judges, happy trainers, happy riders. What bliss!
The first day saw an interesting and pertinent presentation by Michael Stone who lives in Ireland and who works for the FEI in Switzerland as Sports Director. He spoke of the work the FEI is doing with the intention of looking at the Equestrian sports through Non-European eyes.

Carlos Lopes presented an interesting history of the Lusitano breed and the recent development in dressage in Portugal. The historic background of where and why dressage originated, brought the whole sport back to grass roots. The realisation of this Olympic discipline, beginning from the horse being bred and evolving from a need to go to battle was truly inspiring and provoked thought for classical training and its origins. The rider's need was to have a horse engaged, strong, light in hand and above all responsive and sharp or lives would be in jeopardy. Hence the elevated frames and the great degree of collection that is seen in all the old drawings.
It was interesting to see how the Lusitano horse still has all these qualities but not so much the talent for extended paces. Martina Hannöver, now involved in the young horse project for the breed, gave a short display and explained the breed's strengths.
There was some discussion regarding changing the breed for the modern dressage needs and this was immediately dispelled as the breed has a closed stud book. Still there are lines within the pure breed that have a better talent for modern dressage. The demonstration of Baroque Portuguese Equitation was quite fantastic and the grey Lusitano stallion was a delight - really what dressage, in general, is all about.
John Long the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Equestrian Federation Inc gave an extremely extensive overview of every single thing the federation does and how, from this, came the rise of the dressage team's profile and so much better results internationally. The question was then asked whether the horses representing the USA at the Olympics were American bred, American trained and were the riders all training in the States and was the coach from the American system! It was unfortunate to see and hear again that the higher levels in the sport in the States also exudes elitism, lots of money, and the need for considerable European help.
The final presentation for the day was from Ulrich Kasselmann, manager of the world's most expensive horse auction. P.S.I. (Performance Sales International.) This presentation showed a group of obviously well chosen auction horses ranging from the unbacked, to horses of about Medium level. It was good to see such wonderful horses and again it was emphasised the amazing prices paid for the good stock. In the Auctions to 2003, 1,103 dressage and showjumping horses have sold for 128,390,174 euro! Once more a reminder - if another one were needed - of the sport's elitist status.
The second day was to totally revolve around the new wording in the rules, from Mariette Withages. The words being “THE HAPPY ATHLETE.”
The most outstanding presentation was from Dirk Willem Rosie, a breeding expert who is the head of the communication and information of the Royal Dutch Studbook (KWPN) joined by Dr Eric van Breda, a Dutch Medical Physiologist who specializes in comparative human and equine training and exercise physiology. Rosie spoke of how in dressage the horse in itself is the instrument, likened to the Stradivarius. A great violinist may get a good tune from an ordinary violin but it's hard work while an average violinist may get a great tune from the Stradivarius. Give the Stradivarius to the best violinist and the sound is perfect and easy. So it is with breeding horses. The aim is to produce uphill, well-conformed horses, with easy and good natural paces that are made to do dressage. Their job is easy and then with this ease, the horses are happy in their work. The Happy Athlete!
Van Breda made comment that the Happy Athlete term had brought much discussion and as yet there is certainly no scientific way to say if the horse is happy or not. There has been discussion on the release of beta-endorphins when a horse is relaxed and “happy” but as he explained beta-endorphins are actually a masking hormone released against pain and hence are a stress marker not a happy marker.
This was a truly fantastic lecture and it was amazing that more time was not allotted to this informative witty and logical presenter - in fact he was hurried to close! His input was one that needed more discussion and his research was well founded and worthy of more worldwide recognition. Perhaps 'the stressed-out horse' doesn't have such a magic PR ring as 'the happy horse'.
Kyra Kyrkland gave an overview of her experiences and training methods. It was interesting and fun but perhaps a little too lighthearted for us to appreciate the depth of her expertise. Sweden's Jan Brink showed a video of his establishment and it was a fantastic barn and training facility but emphasised once again, the wealth behind the elite riders and trainers.
He also rode the stallion Bjorsells Briar who finished 7th at the Athens Olympic games. Kyra gave a lesson to Jan and showed the judges the great strengths of the horse, piaffe, passage, pirouettes and why not, we have a captive audience. Again it was all very nice but lacked any element of the basic guts of training and of course any discussion of that controversial topic 'frame' was avoided. In front of this elite audience, who is going to be controversial and who wants to show the reality of some training methods?
Rudolf Zeilinger's session was more or less the same deal and all very interesting, but again he was simply showing the movements as judges want to see them. This was not so interesting and again offered no real insight into training methods.
A very interesting session was devised by Mariette Withages. She chose two minutes of video footage from the Athens Olympics of six horses: Salinero, Rusty, Beauvalais, Kennedy, Wensuala Suerte and Brentina. Then there were three pairs of adjudicators.
Judges Mariette Withages and Stephen Clarke; Scientists, Eric van Breda and Dirk Willem Rosie and then the trainers Kyra Kyrkland and David Hunt.
After showing the video the three pairs were asked to give their placings concentrating solely on which was the happiest horse in his work. It was unanimous that Salinero was the winner. There was some discussion in regards to the other placings and so the one and a half days concluded. There was of course no discussion of the fact that Anky is unable to halt and salute with Salinero in Grand Prix, or that the horse tends to refuse to go into corners, or despite being scraped just before it goes into the ring, is covered in sweat half way through the test, even on relatively cool days. None of that.
English trainer, David Hunt was very profound in his comments. He hoped that this “Happy Athlete” slogan was going to be kept in perspective and that not all judging was now to be whether a horse looked happy or not. Is a gymnast happy at the moment he is performing a triple somersault or a routine on the pommel horse?
Is the dressage horse, trying his heart out to get a 10 for a piaffe or pirouette happy at that moment? Has the horse the faintest idea that he is getting marked? Of course not. As Marian Malecki was want to say, horses are happy eating and sleeping in the paddock.
The Global Forum was a beautiful showcase for the elite of the dressage world but did it increase International communication in the world of dressage? Was it as innovative as the publicity inferred? Did the Global Forum make the sport of dressage more accessible Globally?
It must be realised that the sport at the higher levels is elitist and there is no avoiding this. There is no point pretending that it isn't, and it is important to take advantage of this elitist element to encourage riders to get to the top and use it to the sport's advantage in sponsorship and promotion.
The Global Forum was a gathering for the elite to discuss amongst themselves in the inner sanctums of the sport. It could have been far better if the topics dealt more honestly with the real issues facing dressage and there was less emphasis on lightweight entertainment.

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	AUSTRALIA'S NUMBER ONE EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE
		Travelling Around Europe… with your horse! Story and photos - Roger Fitzhardinge There are numerous lucky Australians who get to visit Europe and the famed dressage stables over there, but there are far fewer who get to take their own horse! When Roger Fitzhardinge was asked to loan his horse, Berkeley Castle (alias Brian) to the Australian Team for the Paralympics in Athens, he quickly worked out that it would be dumb not to seize the opportunity to make the short journey to Germany and Holland train, and also visit the famous Global Dressage Forum… Loading my horse Brian, on a Martinair 747 at Sydney Airport one rainy September evening made me stop and realise the enormity of the world and how amazing life really is. To head off, half way around the globe, with one 17 hand, 680 kg, grey gelding, to attend the Paralympics and then to stay in Europe and train for 6 weeks - what a mix! Excitement, fear of the unknown, the challenge - was this ludicrous and outrageous? All of the above. It was happening, and we were off, Hong Kong, Dubai, Amsterdam, Munster, Athens with three other Paralympic horses and assorted freight filling every millimetre. The logistics of getting a horse safe-and-sound through a 50-hour journey across the world is challenge enough. To look after him for the three weeks in Athens for his Paralympian rider Anne Skinner was another challenge, and happily, a successful one. Then it was time to leave the security of the team and fly alone to Germany to train. Once again the logistics are a worry. Leaving Athens with Brian, the now 640 kg grey on one plane, my tack box on another flight and me on another was nightmare potential. The wondrous sight of Brian and the Tack box together, and in one piece, was a perfect start and we were met and duly taken by road to Martina Hannöver and Jorn Sternberg's property just north of Hamburg. Having not ridden Brian for a few weeks was going to be interesting but he was great and stepped straight back into work with me as if there had been no break. He has an amazing ability to accept change and he has a great personality and heart. The feed was quite different, as was the routine and the weather which went from 30 plus in Athens to 10 at Martina's. The feeds are small and high protein with hay that is like grass hay. Brian was walked in the morning under saddle for about 30 minutes, usually in the indoor and if the weather was good there was a track around some small paddocks. In the afternoon it was a lesson with Martina or her Bereiter, always in the indoor arena. The lessons are often broken up helping other riders who were working Martina's horses at the same time or a phone call or another client but everyone gets on with the task at hand and simply to be in the midst of such good riders, horses and training inspires you to focus and to concentrate at all times. Unfortunately the other help was always in German of course, and with my limited German this did take the edge off my ability to really closely follow others. Martina is very strong on position and having an independent seat and always having a long leg and an upper body that looks to the direction you are going, with a still and low hand. These rider corrections are continuous in all movements. With the horse the task is to always keep him forward. Not hurried but sharp to the leg. In regards to the frame always have the horse loose at the poll, whether the horse was deep or up, he was to stay soft and straight. I spent many many hours watching training as I didn't have a full day's riding and this was an invaluable experience. Martina works with an amazing variety of very talented horses from 3 years to aged Grand Prix schoolmasters and all in between. Several were by the famous Rubinstein, the black Grand Prix stallion who gave Martina her great start into the dressage circle of German winners. Martina was in the midst of competing during my stay and so my lessons with her were few and I am afraid in the two weeks I only managed six but I did get to see plenty of training. The horses are always walked for at least 10 minutes with a quarter sheet and then off it comes as well as riders jackets (it was already really cold!) and then into trot. Long lines and big circles and always checking the horses are forward with sudden bursts of very forward work, then into cruise with the intention of “ready to spring again at any moment.” Suppling work is done with transitions to collection and then forward and always a few steps in rhythm and then out again, especially in canter. In the trot, the main exercise is half pass and varying degrees of steepness depending on the stage of training and great emphasis on the use of the outside rein to bring the horse across. In canter again the collected strides but always with a big forward stride that stays in rhythm. The travers for a few steps collecting again and the working pirouettes. All horses are always warmed up with absolute basic work and if there are any problems here, they will be addressed and maybe no lateral work or advanced work done at all in that session. It is only when the horse's basic balance and overall feeling is through, that the exercises are constructed and then check the rhythm and balance again and if this is not through, do not proceed until it is again established. Most horses only got out of their boxes once a day and the stables are all indoors with most having no look to the outside. There were a lot of colts and stallions and they were all well behaved. Very rarely did they go outside and never in a yard or paddock. Horses stay in work all year around and it is a very organised programme and the horses seem to accept this routine and steadily gain strength and balance over the years of concentrated and dedicated work. The Dressage barn is a definite structured work place and neither fun nor light hearted, but if it is dressage that you want to learn, here in Germany, then this is how it is. It was a definite learning experience and one I will always remember. Then it was pack-up-and-move again by truck, 12 hours south to 20 minutes east of Antwerp in Belgium where I was to spend nearly four weeks with Dutch Olympic rider Arjen Teeuwissen. This was to be a very memorable time and an interesting comparison to Germany and Australia to say the least! The stable complex and indoor arena was nothing short of exceptional, under one roof and circular. The 20 stables, wash bays, saddle up bays, solariums, tack and laundry facilities, were on the outer circumference then a wide cobbled walkway all the way around, then gardens and water features and then a circular sitting/coffee room, elevated above the ground level with windows all around looking out to the stables. It is truly beautiful and very functional. What was wonderful was that in the garden was a huge old table and all the staff would sit at lunch and eat together and discuss and laugh off their daily happenings. The barn was like a huge horse house and people and horses ate and worked totally together. There were candelabras adorned with apples and I wonder who the apples went to! It was an amazing atmosphere and always spotless. Modest but full of artistic flair and character. This contented and happy work place filtered to all who came. Coffee was always on tap, as were talented horses and good training and care. The routine here was different and the horses were fed 5 times during the day. They all went on the walker in the morning early and then were worked mostly before lunch. Some solely by Arjen and some warmed up by other riders and then with Arjen. At the same time Frank was always there with eyes on the ground to give constant feed back as to the way the horse was going. Again in the afternoon they were out and groomed after another stroll on the walker and then some were hand grazed or walked. Several paddocks were constantly in rotation so they mostly too had freedom. The horses varied from 4 years old upwards and from pre competition to International Grand Prix and of course there was the star, Gestion Goliath who was back in full swing after a short break recovering from a minor strain that was untimely in the campaign to get to Athens. As with any elite athlete, management of minor injuries is of the utmost importance and always closely monitored here with great vet and physio support. It is in the work that there were some differences and to start, there is always a good walk. An amazing firm limestone road goes around the property and the Castle situated in the middle of the estate. To start each session, there was a 15-minute walk around the castle through amazing Oak trees and rhododendrons. Then it was onto the arena, rugs and jackets off. It was always preferred to use the outdoor arena as a better feeling of room and air and forward was established but there were times that the weather was so bad that the indoor was used - but even if it was cold and drizzling, work was outdoors. The warm up was always calm and determined, to get the horses in front of the leg and this was done in trot. Of course with the more established horses it was always in the roundness required for that horse but always the forward first. The rider's leg must always be still and not pushing against the horse's sides - as any touch was to gain a reaction and so the forward response was absolutely from the lightest touch from the leg and once the response occurred, then leg away again until another change was required. The voice was used for the downward transitions so as to not get the horses to fade and be behind the leg. The reins are the principle aid to slow down and the leg to go forward and so these two opposing aids are best kept separate. Transitions within the paces were often, as were transitions from one pace to another and the horse had to always be forward thinking for himself. Woe betide the rider with wobbling legs that touched without initiating a response. Untidy legs were not tolerated at all and you had to be aware of this and make sure that you were not getting the horse dull to a leg that was nagging. The neck was ridden into a shape that was of benefit to the horse's development and with many that had good well-set on necks this was invariably into a deep and round outline. Arjen explained that care was always needed when beginning this work as there was a huge correlation between the deep, and the forward desire, and that they always go hand in hand and that eyes on the ground to check this were so important. As a Physiotherapist and loving the anatomy and kinesiology associated with balance and movement, of course the frame has always interested me. There is no question that the neck position has a huge influence over balance, and in allowing a horse to let go and use his back correctly. This lets him use his body to move his legs, not move his legs to move his body!! The deep frame is the best way to get the abdominal muscles to contract and in turn produce a strong back that is up and able to carry the rider and also this rounded back allows the hind leg to move freely and step well under the body. It is a very logical progression and from the deep frame, a loose neck and then a more engaged hind leg is the way to produce an amazing athletic horse. I have never seen such loose and enthusiastic horses. They are all free, and always in good spirits and never is there tension or force used. I was amazed at the way they let go and, especially in the canter, to see the improvement in the activity and expression and ability of the horses to get off the ground, was incredible. There were always periods of bringing the horses up and this was achieved by sitting them more and allowing the confident balance gained from the deep frame to grow into a raised neck. The basic roundness, straightness and forward desire was worked on in every session without fail and then from this grows the lateral work and the FEI work. The ability to get a horse through is the hardest thing and then the rest is easy and the horse too finds it all easier once the throughness in the neck and the whole body is gained. To say that the horses at Arjen's were happy athletes is, a bit of an 'in' saying, but they truly were and that is on and off the dressage arena. The horses at Arjen's were also lunged in running reins to show round and soft elastic strides, but always thinking forward. They were taken once a week for a ride through the forests adjoining the property and they were jumped either under saddle or on the lunge over small fences and over trotting grids. There was no chance of boring work and every horse was catered for on its own merits and worked accordingly. The most important point is CONSISTANCY !! Never was there any moment when the attention to the consistency of the aids is not adhered to, and so the horses were never confused. Every day the same aids, the same principles and never are they forced to be ready for this comp or that comp and are allowed to gain the strength and the confidence at their own rates. It was an amazing experience and a time that has shown me the need for patience and consistency to make sure the foundations are established at all times. Never think, 'today we are going to do passage or flying changes or rein back', it just happens when the feeling is correct and the horse is ready to give it to you, through a feeling of wanting to have a go, strength, confidence and balance. Arjen was easy to follow, logical and patient and, above all, a person who took control of the entire well being of his athletic partners from feeding through to Grand Prix. So it was on to another totally different experience - the famous Global Dressage Forum, which was again organised by The Academy (of Joep and Tineke Bartels) in conjunction with The Dressage Trainers Club and was under the patronage of the FEI. As the title infers, Global, the forum is International, and where ideas on particular issues can be exchanged. The concept is certainly perfect. The Trainers Club and the FEI sound important and when you were amongst those at the Forum there was no doubt you were amongst the elite. It was also hellishly expensive. Australia was represented by Mary Seefried and I was lucky enough to be in a position to take advantage of the experience and what an experience it was! I am not sure how the information from this Forum is spread to the sport in general*. Probably the drip filtration method. Most topics were not of the kind to be taken on board and spread globally as new and interesting dressage information. As for discussion, it seemed that no International or Olympic Judge was going to step out of line and raise contentious issues. You certainly would not have heard anything about the Olympic judges' spread of marks on the same movements at Aachen or Athens. It was all a happy family discussing the new concept of the “happy athlete!” This is where invitations to judge at international competitions are handed out, so who in their right mind was going to be outspoken? We are all “happy judges” and there are no problems facing our sport… No rider or trainer invited to talk at the Forum, amongst these elite judges and FEI officials who determine their international status, was going to step out of line and take those, who determine their future, to task! Happy judges, happy trainers, happy riders. What bliss! The first day saw an interesting and pertinent presentation by Michael Stone who lives in Ireland and who works for the FEI in Switzerland as Sports Director. He spoke of the work the FEI is doing with the intention of looking at the Equestrian sports through Non-European eyes. Carlos Lopes presented an interesting history of the Lusitano breed and the recent development in dressage in Portugal. The historic background of where and why dressage originated, brought the whole sport back to grass roots. The realisation of this Olympic discipline, beginning from the horse being bred and evolving from a need to go to battle was truly inspiring and provoked thought for classical training and its origins. The rider's need was to have a horse engaged, strong, light in hand and above all responsive and sharp or lives would be in jeopardy. Hence the elevated frames and the great degree of collection that is seen in all the old drawings. It was interesting to see how the Lusitano horse still has all these qualities but not so much the talent for extended paces. Martina Hannöver, now involved in the young horse project for the breed, gave a short display and explained the breed's strengths. There was some discussion regarding changing the breed for the modern dressage needs and this was immediately dispelled as the breed has a closed stud book. Still there are lines within the pure breed that have a better talent for modern dressage. The demonstration of Baroque Portuguese Equitation was quite fantastic and the grey Lusitano stallion was a delight - really what dressage, in general, is all about. John Long the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Equestrian Federation Inc gave an extremely extensive overview of every single thing the federation does and how, from this, came the rise of the dressage team's profile and so much better results internationally. The question was then asked whether the horses representing the USA at the Olympics were American bred, American trained and were the riders all training in the States and was the coach from the American system! It was unfortunate to see and hear again that the higher levels in the sport in the States also exudes elitism, lots of money, and the need for considerable European help. The final presentation for the day was from Ulrich Kasselmann, manager of the world's most expensive horse auction. P.S.I. (Performance Sales International.) This presentation showed a group of obviously well chosen auction horses ranging from the unbacked, to horses of about Medium level. It was good to see such wonderful horses and again it was emphasised the amazing prices paid for the good stock. In the Auctions to 2003, 1,103 dressage and showjumping horses have sold for 128,390,174 euro! Once more a reminder - if another one were needed - of the sport's elitist status. The second day was to totally revolve around the new wording in the rules, from Mariette Withages. The words being “THE HAPPY ATHLETE.” The most outstanding presentation was from Dirk Willem Rosie, a breeding expert who is the head of the communication and information of the Royal Dutch Studbook (KWPN) joined by Dr Eric van Breda, a Dutch Medical Physiologist who specializes in comparative human and equine training and exercise physiology. Rosie spoke of how in dressage the horse in itself is the instrument, likened to the Stradivarius. A great violinist may get a good tune from an ordinary violin but it's hard work while an average violinist may get a great tune from the Stradivarius. Give the Stradivarius to the best violinist and the sound is perfect and easy. So it is with breeding horses. The aim is to produce uphill, well-conformed horses, with easy and good natural paces that are made to do dressage. Their job is easy and then with this ease, the horses are happy in their work. The Happy Athlete! Van Breda made comment that the Happy Athlete term had brought much discussion and as yet there is certainly no scientific way to say if the horse is happy or not. There has been discussion on the release of beta-endorphins when a horse is relaxed and “happy” but as he explained beta-endorphins are actually a masking hormone released against pain and hence are a stress marker not a happy marker. This was a truly fantastic lecture and it was amazing that more time was not allotted to this informative witty and logical presenter - in fact he was hurried to close! His input was one that needed more discussion and his research was well founded and worthy of more worldwide recognition. Perhaps 'the stressed-out horse' doesn't have such a magic PR ring as 'the happy horse'. Kyra Kyrkland gave an overview of her experiences and training methods. It was interesting and fun but perhaps a little too lighthearted for us to appreciate the depth of her expertise. Sweden's Jan Brink showed a video of his establishment and it was a fantastic barn and training facility but emphasised once again, the wealth behind the elite riders and trainers. He also rode the stallion Bjorsells Briar who finished 7th at the Athens Olympic games. Kyra gave a lesson to Jan and showed the judges the great strengths of the horse, piaffe, passage, pirouettes and why not, we have a captive audience. Again it was all very nice but lacked any element of the basic guts of training and of course any discussion of that controversial topic 'frame' was avoided. In front of this elite audience, who is going to be controversial and who wants to show the reality of some training methods? Rudolf Zeilinger's session was more or less the same deal and all very interesting, but again he was simply showing the movements as judges want to see them. This was not so interesting and again offered no real insight into training methods. A very interesting session was devised by Mariette Withages. She chose two minutes of video footage from the Athens Olympics of six horses: Salinero, Rusty, Beauvalais, Kennedy, Wensuala Suerte and Brentina. Then there were three pairs of adjudicators. Judges Mariette Withages and Stephen Clarke; Scientists, Eric van Breda and Dirk Willem Rosie and then the trainers Kyra Kyrkland and David Hunt. After showing the video the three pairs were asked to give their placings concentrating solely on which was the happiest horse in his work. It was unanimous that Salinero was the winner. There was some discussion in regards to the other placings and so the one and a half days concluded. There was of course no discussion of the fact that Anky is unable to halt and salute with Salinero in Grand Prix, or that the horse tends to refuse to go into corners, or despite being scraped just before it goes into the ring, is covered in sweat half way through the test, even on relatively cool days. None of that. English trainer, David Hunt was very profound in his comments. He hoped that this “Happy Athlete” slogan was going to be kept in perspective and that not all judging was now to be whether a horse looked happy or not. Is a gymnast happy at the moment he is performing a triple somersault or a routine on the pommel horse? Is the dressage horse, trying his heart out to get a 10 for a piaffe or pirouette happy at that moment? Has the horse the faintest idea that he is getting marked? Of course not. As Marian Malecki was want to say, horses are happy eating and sleeping in the paddock. The Global Forum was a beautiful showcase for the elite of the dressage world but did it increase International communication in the world of dressage? Was it as innovative as the publicity inferred? Did the Global Forum make the sport of dressage more accessible Globally? It must be realised that the sport at the higher levels is elitist and there is no avoiding this. There is no point pretending that it isn't, and it is important to take advantage of this elitist element to encourage riders to get to the top and use it to the sport's advantage in sponsorship and promotion. The Global Forum was a gathering for the elite to discuss amongst themselves in the inner sanctums of the sport. It could have been far better if the topics dealt more honestly with the real issues facing dressage and there was less emphasis on lightweight entertainment. Return to the top of the page