Dressage Freestyle

[Velvet]

[QUOTE=ToN Farm;6488974]
How differently we all see things. It shouldn’t be that way, should it? Is it the same in judging hunters? I know it never used to be when I rode hunters 30 years ago. Then, everyone knew a good round. Now, we have people mesmerized with a certain pair while some others find it cringe worthy. That bothers me a lot.

I think that some of it is because many viewers do not understand how judges score dressage. Too many people have their things that bug them, and those aren’t the things that matter so much in the judging. And then, there is the factor that we all tend to see what’s good in the pairs we like and the faults in the pairs we don’t.[/QUOTE]

I think what bothers most dressage people is the fact that the rules and diagrams show that the horse should not be btv and short in the neck and body and the judges are rewarding it.

It’s there in black and white, and yet they go against their own rules. It comes down to how they’re trained to score. And it seems that it’s off from the rule book a bit. It’s tilting a bit back to what is correct, but not fast enough. The halo effect still surrounds the permanently-living-btv crowd and it’s just hard to end their reign.

I’m happy to see that the Brits are not riding their horses btv all the time. Sometimes one goes there, yes. It happens. But they don’t live there. It gives us hope that the next generation wants more harmony, forwardness and correct (by the rule book) movements.

[Roheryn]

[QUOTE=csb;6488949]
If all of us, all fans in the US and GB and everywhere donated just 5 or10 dollars, could we gather enough for Valegro to stay with Charlotte?
Have we learned that some combinations should not be separated?

What do you think, can we start a movement?[/QUOTE]

This.Please count Canada in.
How anyone could think, after the total debacle of Totilas’ sale, that “buying” a medal and thinking another rider can equal or better Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester’s work with their horses simply baffles me.
And there is a certain powerful European influence that I would not want within ten feet of Uthopia and Valagro.

[snoopy]

Carl’s horses are always for sale. They have to be.

[mp]

[QUOTE=Sannois;6488964]
I cannot tell you how awesome I think that young lady is, A true horseman!:sadsmile:[/QUOTE]

Yes, she is.

From the Washington Post …

“Wait for me,” Dujardin called to Valegro as she dismounted after the medal ceremony and he started for the barn without her. She planted a kiss on his nose and then went back to wave her medal to the crowd with a tear-streaked face and huge grin.

[JBCool]

[QUOTE=BabyGreen;6488822]
Anybody who uses the theme from The Great Escape needs to win.[/QUOTE]

My thought when she first started! Haha At first, I was like, “am I really hearing that?”

[JBCool]

[QUOTE=mp;6488951]
Before her score was announced, I heard her say “He (Valegro) was tired, but he gave me everything he had. He had nothing left.”

That’s when I was afraid MY mascara was going to run.[/QUOTE]

Mine did.

[JBCool]

[QUOTE=mbm;6488772]
88% for that??? it’s dressage not a rope pulling contest ![/QUOTE]

exactly what I thought, too! I didn’t think he should have even beaten Damon Hill.

[Sannois]

Okay…

[QUOTE=mp;6488998]
Yes, she is.

From the Washington Post …[/QUOTE]

That just made me cry all over again! :sadsmile::yes:

[Roheryn]

[QUOTE=snoopy;6488992]
Carl’s horses are always for sale. They have to be.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely understood. He’s a professional rider and it’s how he builds his pension fund.
Bit one can only hope an interested British party can step in and secure his horses’ future within the UK.

[Cameraine]

I am not a dressage rider (LL eventer). So can someone explain to me the differences between the last two rides that put the GBR rider in the gold?

[Weatherford]

I did not like the way Adeline’s horse went, but her music and choreography, in my mind, were impeccable - just about as perfect as it can get. I think that is what brought her marks up, despite the mouth yawing (which I absolutely hate). If she could just GIVE that horse it’s head and neck and be softer, I think they’d be unbeatable with that freestyle. But, of course, soft isn’t in the Dutch or German dictionary…

[Velvet]

[QUOTE=Weatherford;6489085]
But, of course, soft isn’t in the Dutch or German dictionary… :([/QUOTE]

I’ll disagree with that! That one German rider (darn, I can’t remember her name!) had a very soft and fluid looking ride with the horse’s nose in front of the vertical.

There are many Germans who still ride the traditional way and not the new btv way.

[Fiction]

MAN you guys are awfully rough on the Dutch.

[Sandy_M]

[QUOTE=JBCool;6489038]
My thought when she first started! Haha At first, I was like, “am I really hearing that?” :)[/QUOTE]

Really? OMG. I have the soundtrack, and everytime I play it, I think, “Gee, I’d like to do a freestyle to that.” How DARE she steal MY music!!! ROFLOL

(My second choice is the Ry Cooder Soundtrack to The Long Riders.)

[tm1]

@Weatherford;6489085

I did not like the way Adeline’s horse went, but her music and choreography, in my mind, were impeccable - just about as perfect as it can get. I think that is what brought her marks up, despite the mouth yawing (which I absolutely hate). If she could just GIVE that horse it’s head and neck and be softer, I think they’d be unbeatable with that freestyle. But, of course, soft isn’t in the Dutch or German dictionary…

This.

I thought that Parzival’s ride was the most perfectly crafted ride I’d ever seen. The choreography and musical interpretation was stellar. And jeez, any horse that can maintain that quality piaffe - passage tour at the end of a test… But yeah, it sure would be nice if she could access all that horse’s astonishing power without being in his face.

[mp]

[QUOTE=Cameraine;6489064]
I am not a dressage rider (LL eventer). So can someone explain to me the differences between the last two rides that put the GBR rider in the gold?[/QUOTE]

Only the judges can answer that question. But I’m sure someone here will venture an opinion. :lol:

[Lamb_Chop]

Thoughts:

Parzival has amazing gaits. The music was more whimsical and less martial, which was an appropriate choice. With the firmer style of riding, going to a warlike soundtrack would have given a hard impression. I thought the score was high given the outline of the horse.

Charlotte, otoh, could ride to more martial music because her riding is much softer and more classical. Love the musical choices, love the style, love the girl, a well-deserved win.

Fuego gave me the impression of being tense in every competition. I love this horse and rider, but he looked more relaxed and fluid at the WEGs. Perhaps as he gets older it’s harder for him to do the routines. Perhaps he’d rather be breeding mares. The one-handed one-tempis still put a happy grin on my face.

[Renn_aissance]

I heard from the BBC that Valegro has definitely been sold. Does anyone know to whom? More importantly- will he stay in GB?

[Roheryn]

I also thought Fuego looked less fluid than at WEG. But I loved his rider’s cheeky little head tip at the end, as if to say “No, I won’t make that mistake twice !”
I personally thought the horse that looked the most FUN to ride was Rubi.

[TequilaMockingbird]

AHH the suspense is driving me crazy! I already know the scores but I can’t watch the video for another 7 hours. I have to wait until I get home.

I’m most looking forward to Ravel, Fuego and Valegro.