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It has always amazed me, that the Germans, despite having the most educated and knowledgeable, equestrian spectators in the world, continually grab every opportunity to add to that knowledge. In the judging of the German Young Horse Show Case \u2013 the Bundeschampionate \u2013 the judges take every opportunity to explain to the spectators WHY they have made their decisions, and if there is a break in the action, there is just as likely to be a mini-clinic happening in the arena.<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2009, for the first time, the German FN, extended this opportunity to learn to the worlds English speaking enthusiasts, organizing the first ever, Seminar of the German Federation about Training and Judging Young Dressage Horses for Judges, Dressage stewards, Trainers, Veterinarians and people interested in Dressage.<\/em><\/p>\n The chief mover-and-shaker behind the Seminar was German judge, trainer, and educator, Christoph Hess, and it was Christoph\u2019s infectious enthusiasm that kept this seminar bubbling along.<\/p>\n The Bundeschampionate runs from Wednesday through to Sunday, but the seminar briefing sessions commenced on the Saturday with 125 delegates from 25\u00a0 countries. Participants were taken on a guided tour, then watched the Five-Year-Old Final, with the bonus of an instant English language commentary through the special head-phones. The day finished with a discussion session reviewing the events of the day. It was much the same on the Sunday, with delegates again treated to an instant English commentary for the Six-Year-Old Dressage Final, but it was the next day, when things started to get serious.<\/p>\n The delegates were back in the big indoor school \u2013 usually the scene of the Dressage Ponies competition, on the Monday morning for an extraordinary lineup of speakers, trainers, riders, and most amazing of all, horses!!! Seemingly every top rider and trainer had made their horses available for the seminar \u2013 including some of the big winners from the Bundeschampionate weekend.<\/p>\n The day started off with a view from the Judges’ Stand…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the judges’ stand, Christoph Hess and Dr Schule<\/em><\/p>\n The view from the Judges\u2019 Stand<\/strong><\/p>\n On of the first speakers, Dr Dieter Sch\u00fcle has judged in Australia, and he is a regular on the judging panel at the Bundeschampionate. His paper, Dressage Horses \u2013 from a<\/strong> Judge\u2019s Perspective <\/strong><\/em>set the framework. Dr Sch\u00fcle started by talking about the way in which the three of the\u00a0 \u2018stake-holders\u2019 interact in the process: the breeder, the rider, the judge, and the correct conformation for the dressage horse.<\/p>\n \u201cEach rider \/ breeder aims at the ideal horse which has a perfect conformation, charisma, medium frame and expressive gaits.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n From the breeders\u2019 point of view the \u2018product\u2019 should demonstrate correctness and expression. Dr Sch\u00fcle suggested that breeders tended to under-estimate the value of performance on the part of the mare, and over-estimate the value of the stallions which are \u2018in vogue\u2019.\u00a0 It was dangerous to breed to high priced, highly advertised stallions, who when their progeny at the age of three or four showed problems, immediately disappeared\u2026<\/p>\n From the riders\u2019 point of view, the good horses were those which are easy to handle and comfortable to ride. Again, he suggested that the breeders often under-estimated the importance of temperament, character and motivation in the horses, and produced horses that were difficult to handle. For the rider, a good horse is fun.<\/p>\n \u201cBreeders should work together with riders and trainers and get a feedback about character, temperament and motivation.\u201d<\/p>\n In the middle of all this was the Judge who had a crucial role:<\/p>\n “The judge has to evaluate the horse\u2019s performance and should give direction for improvement of the \u2013 horse, training, and, the rider.”<\/strong><\/p>\n The Dressage Horse should be:<\/strong><\/p>\n * Of medium size \u2013 1.70m (16.3hh) \u2013 with correct anatomy<\/p>\n The ideal:<\/strong> * Uphill conformation * Long legged * A balance between a square frame and a rectangular frame \u2013 the rectangular, long horse could have problems with the hindlegs, while a horse that was too short and square, could have problems with suppleness * \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A well developed croup, since this is the motor of the horse.<\/p>\n However, Dr Sch\u00fcle did flash up on the screen photos of Rembrandt and Gigolo to demonstrate that \u2018deficiencies in conformation can be compensated by training.<\/p>\n The neck<\/strong>: Should be naturally uphill and arched; Smooth transition from the neck to the head through the throat latch; Adequate length of neck \u2013 too short, problems with contact, too long, difficulties in keeping the poll as the highest point; The muscles should be on the upper side of the neck; the origin of the neck at the shoulder was of particular importance, the neck should come high out of the shoulder and be strong enough \u2013 muscles can be developed, but the origin of the neck cannot be changed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The forehand \u2013 Regulating Ground Cover<\/strong><\/p>\n * 60% of the horse\u2019s weight is on the forehand by nature but by correct training this is changed with increasing collection. Long front legs are desirable and the Thoroughbred is important in producing these longer legs.<\/p>\n * The Shoulder should be long and sloping for a better ground cover. The shoulder is important because it influences the position of the saddle \u2013 too steep and it forces the saddle back.<\/p>\n * The importance of the Upper Arm is often under-estimated. A long upper arm is important for good ground covering.<\/p>\n * The elbow is important and enough space between it and the body is necessary\u00a0 for the horse to execute the lateral movements. When the elbow is tight to the body, the horse has no freedom of movement. It\u2019s good if you can place your hand between the horse\u2019s elbow and its body.<\/p>\n * The position of the front legs, they must be correct and straight. The fetlock is important for elasticity.<\/p>\n read on below<\/em><\/p>\n The back \/ loin \u2013 The Bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n The longer the back, the more problems the horse will have with engagement. The top line of the horse should be straight, not hollowed and not too high at the croup.<\/p>\n The hindquarters \/ croup \u2013 carrying weight: \u2018The Motor\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The croup should be well shaped with developed muscles, it should be long enough with the correct angles of the haunches.<\/p>\n Problems<\/strong>: A high tail set with the hindlegs standing out behind leads to not enough engagement<\/p>\n Correct angles and development of the muscles are a good precondition for the activity of the hindquarters.\u00a0The angle should be 90 degrees with the hocks under the horse. Hocks that are too close together have trouble carrying weight.<\/p>\n The Basic Gaits <\/strong>should show: * clear rhythm * relaxation * Elasticity \u2013 swinging back * Good impulsion (not walk) * Balance * Active, bending joints of hindquarters * Good freedom of shoulder<\/p>\n The walk <\/strong>should show a clear four-beat rhythm. A steady rhythm not \u2018short and long\u2019. Activity <\/strong>\u2013 a powerful push-off, out of the hindlegs \u2013 not too slow and laboured or fixed in the back. The judges are looking for good Ground Cover<\/strong> \u2013 many judges just look at the over-step and forget to look, is the horse coming out of the shoulder? Is it keeping the rhythm? Is the horse showing relaxed muscles in the back and along the top line? Is the horse accepting the bit and not throwing off the reins. Problems<\/strong>: fixed in the back, stiff front legs. Rhythm is more important than over-stepping, over-stepping too much can cause problems, two hoof widths is enough. The idea that two hoof widths overstep is worth 7, \u00a0four widths is worth 9, is not correct.<\/p>\n The trot <\/strong>should be in a clear two beat rhythm, showing suppleness and a relaxed, energetic elastic swinging back. The horse should show mental calmness \u2013 a \u2018happy\u2019 attitude. Problems arise when there is a repeated loss of rhythm especially in the movements and turns, and an unevenness of the steps, or when the trot looks tense, forced or unnatural. The impulsion should come from a natural movement of suspension \u2013 not a fixed back. There should be a powerful push-off of the hindlegs, with active bending in the direction of the point of gravity. The hocks should be engaged and under the horse. Problems<\/strong>: not enough basic impulsion, stiff hindlegs \u2013 not bending, hock too high and behind the horse, extreme action of frontlegs not in relation to hindlegs.<\/p>\n The judge wants to see not only\u00a0 ground cover \u2013 from active hindlegs with good freedom of shoulder \u2013 but also a talent for collection \u2013 natural talent for self-carriage and carrying power of the hindquarters.<\/p>\n The canter: <\/strong>Here the judge wants to see a clear three-beat rhythm on both reins. The inside hindleg must show bending of the hock and act towards the point of gravity, but the outside hindleg must also be engaged.\u00a0 Problems<\/strong>: No clear rhythm, stiff hindlegs without active haunches. The judge also wants to see a bending \u2018round\u2019 frontleg because this helps in the collection and the changes. He is looking for an uphill tendency with self-carriage and balance.<\/p>\n Problems<\/strong>: Coming on forehand, high croup, stiff frontleg.<\/p>\n Rideability<\/strong>: The correct training of a dressage horse should be in relation to the scale of training and all steps of the scale should be fulfilled in the right order.<\/p>\n The quality of a dressage horse<\/strong>: Temperament, willingness to perform, character, learning aptitude. A sensitive horse which is eager to go forward is preferred to a lazy and unmotivated horse. Young horses can be spooky but still good for dressage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Breeder\u2019s Point of View:<\/strong><\/p>\n Who better to give an overview of the Breeding of Dressage Horses, than Dr Werner Schade, the head of the Hanoverian Verband. With 19,880 registered broodmares, the Hanoverians lead the world when it comes to producing dressage horses \u2013 and each year over 1000 horses of their horses, are sold to some 30 countries around the world. Six of the top ten horses on the World Breeding Federation standings, carry the Hanoverian brand.<\/p>\n Werner demonstrated just how selective the Hanoverian process is.<\/strong><\/p>\n Of the 19,000 mares, 13,000 are bred each year to produce 8,000 foals. The 4,000 filly foals are evaluated at the mares shows, between the age of two and six, and after they turn three, are eligible for studbook inspection, and also to take part in the mare tests. The colt foals can go to a pre-selection for the licensing, and if they are successful there, on to a performance test at the age of three.<\/p>\n In the 70 day stallion performance test, the trainer evaluates the mental qualities \u2013 character, temperament, willingness to work, constitution \u2013 as well as the basic gaits \u2013 trot, canter, walk, rideability and jumping ability. The judges assess the young stallions for their basic traits \u2013 trot, canter, walk, free-jumping (scope and ability) as well as the cross country test which looks at jumping scope and cross country canter. The test rider assesses: Rideability and Jumping Ability.<\/p>\n A study by Axel Brockmann (now the head of Celle) found that there was a correlation of 0.70 between the stallion performance test and success in young horse classes for dressage horses, and 0.87 with success in dressage competition. The stallion performance test had a correlation of 0.75 for young jumping horse classes and 0.78 for showjumping competiton.<\/p>\n It is similar in the mare tests, where the young mares are scored for their basic gaits, rideability and jumping. All the information from these tests \u2013 the stallion and the mare performance tests, the classes for young horses, and competition \u2013 go towards the FN breeding values for that stallion. The Hanoverians also have an estimation of breeding values that is slightly differently calculated, in that it takes the information from the studbook inspections, the mare performance tests, and the observations that come out of the inspections of horses put forward for the auctions.<\/p>\n Like Dr Schule, Werner saw a close relationship between the breeders, the sport and the judges. The breeders provided the horses for the sport, while the sport produced the data for the estimation of breeding values. Sport is a tool for sales and marketing while at the same time providing information for the breeder. However, this produces a few unresolved questions \u2013 are the breeders producing horses for amateurs or for professionals? Are they breeding for spectacular gaits or for suppleness and rideability? How do we reconcile business interests versus horse interests. Is dressage an entertainment \u2013 or a means of controlling the training, where is the balance? And in all this, the judge plays a key role, judging should be a way of encouraging good training, but sometimes spectacular gaits are rewarded over good rhythm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Young Horse in Action<\/strong><\/p>\n It was refreshing to see this \u2018correct\u2019 approach in action when we got to the first of our horses, a three-year-old mare, Paola (Lord Loxley out of\u00a0 Poetin II by Sandro Hit) ridden by Christian Flamm. Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen who trains Christian, explained where they were at with the youngster. She had been started in January and first lunged for a couple of months. Now she was being worked under saddle, but still with the rider in a forward seat and really short spurs.<\/p>\n \u201cRight from the beginning, the contact must be absolutely clear,\u201d Hans-Heinrich stresses. \u201cFirst on both reins equally, then more to the outside rein. Try to get the reins a little longer, work on the rhythm and the position of her neck. If you get the neck too high, then later you have problems \u2013 if you ride them this way, you don\u2019t need a vet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt this stage we just want her to canter forward \u2013 later we will make her straight. Use the short side to get a little more activity, we don\u2019t want a running canter, just round, round, round. In the beginning the horse must learn to accept the leg and go forward in the transition.\u201d<\/p>\n The seminar moderator, Christoph Hess points out: \u201cHere we see rhythm, including the right tempo; suppleness\/relaxation and contact. The first three things on the training scale are the most difficult to get!\u201d<\/p>\n The next horse in was a four-year-old Hanoverian, Horatio by Hochadel out of a Matcho mare, ridden by Dorothee Schneider, one of those consummate German professionals who rides at every level, from babies to Grand Prix.<\/strong><\/p>\n Longer strides, not medium for three and four-year-olds – Dorothee Schneider and Horatio demonstrate<\/em><\/p>\n This time, it was the judge (and former Grand Prix dressage competitor) Dietrich Plewa doing the commentary: \u201cIt is very important to find the right speed for each horse. In the conformation classes (ie. Riding horse classes for three and four year olds), we have serpentines to see if the horse can keep the balance \u2013 the same speed, same rhythm. Now show some longer strides. In conformation classes, we don\u2019t ask for medium only longer strides\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Horatio and Dorothee demonstrate canter…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n At this point I am struck by the appearance of \u2018clinic talk\u2019. You know, at the judges clinics they all talk about using the full range of their marks and going really high and really low, and when they get to the competition, we are back in the 6s and 7s. In the coffee break I pointed out to Dr Plewa, that the winner of the three year old stallion class at the previous day\u2019s Bundeschampionate, had been shown at what could only be called an exaggerated extended trot. Dr Plewa made the point that he hadn\u2019t judged that class but agreed that it was unfortunate that some riders interpreted \u2018longer\u2019 as flat out. Treat it like an error of course, I suggested. But I suspect they won\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the canter, our first criteria is the three beat rhythm and clear uphill tendency. When we lengthen the rein, is the horse able to keep that uphill tendency and the rhythm \u2013 and not change speed even after the reins are shortened.\u201d<\/p>\n Movement through the WHOLE body, Horatio and Dorothee in walk<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe walk should be clearly four beat and it is very important that the movement should be through the horse\u2019s WHOLE body \u2013 the horse should be marching from one point to the other. In the conformation class, long reins are not loose reins \u2013 if the reins are too long, the judge can say, please shorten the reins.\u201d<\/p>\n another horse follows<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Christoph.jpg\")
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According to Ulf: \u201cThe trot will come with this horse with work, also with a little work in hand,\u00a0 the front leg will come \u2013 but here we have a canter. At the Trakehner Championships, he scored 10 in canter \u2013 and more and more movements in the dressage test are in canter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/GrandPassion2.jpg\")
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