{"id":57019,"date":"2021-01-15T11:16:03","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T00:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/?p=57019"},"modified":"2026-01-04T14:15:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T03:15:55","slug":"the-young-dressage-horse-in-theory-and-in-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/2021\/01\/the-young-dressage-horse-in-theory-and-in-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"The young dressage horse – in theory and in practice…"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Young Horse in Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is still the best seminar I have ever attended – brilliantly organized by Christoph Hess in 2009 in Warendorf, it featured a star studded lineup of riders, horses, judges and experts – like the master trainer, Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Stohen working with some exceptional youngsters.<\/p>\n

The first was a young 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

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\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

\"\"<\/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

\"\"<\/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

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Longer strides, not medium for three and four-year-olds \u2013 Dorothee Schneider and Horatio demonstrate…<\/em><\/p>\n

The commentator was the judge (and former Grand Prix dressage competitor) Dietrich Plewa: \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

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Horatio and Dorothee demonstrate canter\u2026\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

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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

The next horse was another four year old, this time the Rhineland stallion, Don Jerome (Damon Hill \/ Guy Laroche) ridden by a professional from the south of Germany, Uta Gr\u00e4f <\/strong><\/p>\n

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The rider demonstrated how important it is for the horse to be well-balanced. According to Uta, \u2018my hands are listening to the horse, small transitions are the key points for schooling the horse\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Christoph Hess was (as usual) enthusiastic: \u201cHere we have a rider in a well-balanced position in the saddle. A rider who can develop the horse and make it happy. A rider not using spurs, not using the whip, just asking the horse with body language. The only negative point is the horse\u2019s mouth is too dry, but she is able to ride with long reins and can play with her position. When you school a horse, you have to have a clear vision \u2013 this is how it works when you are supple and well balanced.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Plewa made the point: \u201cthis is a horse in a really good rhythm. It is a big horse but you see him, you don\u2019t hear him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Theory<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of Germany’s most respected young dressage horse judges, Dr Dieter Schule oulined the judging guidelines for Young Horse classes…\"\"<\/p>\n

In the judges\u2019 stand, Christoph Hess and Dieter Sch\u00fcle<\/em><\/p>\n

The view from the Judges\u2019 Stand<\/strong><\/p>\n

As one of the key note speakers at the Bundeschampionate Seminar, Dr Sch\u00fcle’s 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

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Dresden Man, a Bundeschampion<\/em><\/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

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\u201cBreeders should work together with riders and trainers and get a feedback about character, temperament and motivation.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n

Damon Hill and Helen Langenhagenberg demonstrate<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In the middle of all this was the Judge who had a crucial role:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe judge has to evaluate the horse\u2019s performance and should give direction for improvement of the \u2013 horse, training, and, the rider.\u201d<\/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

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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

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/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

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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

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 not 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

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/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

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/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 qualities 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

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Young Dressage Horse: We start with the action with the help of Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen and some incredibly talented horses and riders… then the theory from one of Germany’s most respected judges, Dr Dieter Schule..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57023,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,4],"tags":[360,374],"class_list":["post-57019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-dressage","tag-dressage-judging","tag-young-dressage-horses"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57019"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69377,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57019\/revisions\/69377"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.horsemagazine.com\/thm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}