I’ve watched this evolve, hoping it was something, and not nothing, and not just a circus. I have wondered about the self promoting of Eitan, and the barrage of promotion and advertising.
Now I see that it is teaming up with Parelli. That settles it for me.
So now for sure it is a circus. Horsemanship is being hijacked by Barnum and Bailey.
It is also bound to be a train wreck. When the USS Arrogance rams into the USS Ego, the whole thing might sink.
It has really taken off in my area and is the hot “thing” - people are now shopping for “Cowboy Dressage” horses and clinics abound. I’m all for whatever helps people improve their horsemanship (and not in a PP sort of way), but it looks like just another way for people to hang up a shingle, make some money marketing special tack, horses, clothes, etc.
I did go to a clinic last weekend where the clinician (not related to CD or WD) talked about fitting tack and especially bits. I was so happy to see him address people with their horses in a bridle bit who were riding heavy-handed and with two hands. One lady at the end was sort of upset about it, but I think that she’ll use her new education to either change her riding or go back to a snaffle. I told him I was happy to hear him talk about it because I’ve been to a lot of clinics where the horses clearly are unhappy with their tack but instead of addressing what might be causing the problems, the riders are encouraged to get tough.
I’m not a fan of self-promotion, no matter the discipline or trainer. It is really a turn-off for me. People talk about Eitan around here as if he’s some sort of - I don’t know, someone to be put on a pedestal or something.
I think in theory a western version of a training pyramid and progression in development of the horse is a good thing. In practice if it creates yet another discipline where real horsemanship is lost, shortcuts are taken to produce a “look” or “headset” or whatever, horses are used up and tossed out, then it will be a disappointment. But every discipline has unscrupulous people as well as people who really care about horsemanship and proper development, so I guess it really is nothing new under the sun.
I’m blabbering now!
I don’t know about “cowboy” dressage or Eitan, but I do know a bit about WESTERN dressage and think it is a good thing for horse and rider.
[QUOTE=Wellspotted;7657522]
I don’t know about “cowboy” dressage or Eitan, but I do know a bit about WESTERN dressage and think it is a good thing for horse and rider.
http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/[/QUOTE]
I agree.
Eitan split off from the western dressage people. Another clash of egos I suspect. So he started his own association.
There is this element of a constant promotion machine.
It is like some sort of corporate infusion you can’t get away from. Brand name recognition. Only it is fame and accomplishment by association, rather than by its own merits. This is how Parelli has operated. You promote me and I promote you.
It turns horsemanship knowledge into a kind of brand name mentality. Kind of like there are all kinds of tissues, but we all say Kleenex, which is a brand. Any thing promising to draw crowds and to keep the machine going. There is just something so distasteful about it. Amway horsemanship.
Most of these trainers that have joined up with PP have found out there was nothing deeper than the commercialization. David OConner found this out, after he thought it would be good for eventing to join forces. I am thinking the same thing will happen with Cowboy Dressage.
