Well... So much for that dressage career. Quattro will, as planned, compete at Intro A/B next year while he trains for other things. He will then go and DO those other things.
The reason for this can be found here. If you can't stomach watching the video (I've tried several times and can't finish watching it), then read the accompanying article.
Sorry, but I have no intention of playing on the same playing field as anyone who thinks the video I linked to does not constitute horse abuse of the first magnitude.
KNOWING that your abusive training tactics have turned your horse's tongue BLUE with tissue hypoxia, SHOVING IT BACK IN HIS MOUTH and carrying on with your torture for TWO MORE HOURS does not make you a Great Rider, a Great Trainer, or a Champion. It makes you a loser, an a*shole, and an embarrassment to the sport. It brings your sport into such disrepute that, frankly, I want no part of it.
After watching the video, I felt a compelling need to go hug my horse. So after work, I drove 100 miles out of my way up to the trainer's and did exactly that. On the way there, I reminded myself of one of the best pieces of advice I ever got, which came from a fellow COTHer: "The horse doesn't care if he moves up the levels."
It's very true. And I don't think I do either, any more. All I really want out of my equestrian life, at this late date, is to have Quattro stay EXACTLY as he is right now: a happy, healthy little horse who enjoys life and likes his work, and hears my beat-up old car rattling into the driveway, trots up to the fence rail, and stands up happily nickering and making "Saddlebred ears".
So USDF, you're not getting my money. GMOs, you're not getting it either. USEF - Tony the Pony won't be competing at rated dressage events. It's time for the FEI to grow a set and put a stop to this. It's time for USEF and the USDF to take a stand. It may, indeed, even be time to start thinking about and planning a massive protest at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky next summer. But that's another story for another blog. If you want to be in on the planning stages of the campaign, ultimatedressage.com is where you want to be.
The adventure continues.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
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I couldn't agree more! I don't have a dressage horse, but an AQHA stallion I have 'dreams' of showing. I have fortunate enough to have found a trainer who puts my horse first, and we will not be doing ANY of the things that others do to "get to the top". If winning the big shows means harming my animal....small stuff it is for us!
ReplyDeleteIf you still want to ride dressage, I think you should. There are (at least around here) dressage schooling shows held be smaller dressage groups with NO USDF affiliation so you wouldn't be supporting the 'big bad people' just the local little barns who host shows. :) I'm in South east texas, gulf coast.