I am brand new to dressage, but why is their mouth foaming?
Foam is usually an indication that the horse is relaxed. And the stallions are given sugar as a reward, so that makes their foam sometimes look a little “meringue’y”. 
Copious amounts of foam can indicate stress/anxiety. Listen also for the gentle snorting/huffing sounds that the stallions make - that’s an indication of relaxaion.
What impressed me was this was filmed a relatively short time after WWII. Consider Europe had been through 2 massive, destructive wars from 1914 - 1945. Most of Europe was destroyed during the WWII. Podhajsky and others had managed to save breeding stock by ‘surrendering’ them to Patton, a friend and probably one of the few US Generals to appreciate the SRS.
So here they are, barely back from the brink of extinction - both human and equine - carrying on the 300+ year tradition of the SRS.
Yeah the bend and cross-over in the half-passes could have been better. Their passing of each other was not always at the exact spot. They were not in complete unison when removing/replacing their ‘hats’.
What I loved is the ‘slack’ curb rein with soft, steady contact on the snaffle. Plus the soft almost relaxed way of going of the stallions. We saw the SRS in 2005, both show and pre-show. As they stated - their aim is for perfection, yet always reward the horse’s honest attempts.
Thanks for finding this and other films.
I really enjoyed watching this video and I really enjoy the history and tradition around the SRS.
What strikes me today, is that we really should not be comparing then and now because they are totally different and it is comparing apples to oranges.
In no other sport that I can think of, (and yes, if you compete today you are in a sport, not an art), do we hold up an ideal of 60 years ago (or 2500 years ago), and make comparisons. It is just not realistic. Breeding changes, equipment changes and ideas (fashions) change.
I think it is time that we started to celebrate the good in both the Classical (old) and the Competitive (modern) styles and stop attempting to decide which is best.
Folks, they are totally different. Both great! Lucky us, we get to pick which suits our interests! I love all horses, but am not fond of a number of equestrian disciplines. But I respect the right of the folks that are passionate about their disciplines to participate and enjoy their choices.
Do you think we can do that in ‘dressage’ some time soon?
How did I miss this thread?
You know, Spirithorse and Alicen, you could just film yourselves individually. I’ll even volunteer to edit your videos into one, for all of our viewing enjoyment.
I just really, really really want to see Spirithorse ride. Pretty please?
You do it, alg0181, I’ve already seen a video of his riding.
You can’t compare this video with the modern touring “White Stallions”. These touring companies are not the true SRS but circus-like performers.
What I enjoy is seeing the old standard of horses being on the vertical or a little ahead of the vertical (considered quite correct, still). At no time did you see any horses behind the vertical. Considered, especially at the time, a vice.
As a child I started riding with Capt Heyer, who rode with the SRS before WWII. He was fanatical about horses going behind the vertical.
He would not be happy today…
Well I will critisize when I can ride as well as those riders and produce as many amazing animals as they have.
Thank you for the post! I have been a fan of all of Podhajsky’s works, written and visual for many years.
While those companies are not the SRS, they do go on tour, almost annually:
http://www.srs.at/en/repertoire/on-tour/tours-since-1925/
I saw them when they were stateside in 2005, and it was amazing to see in person.
Thank you for sharing this video, it was lovely to watch.
I was lucky enough to have seen the real SRS twice. both times they were breath taking…sure i guess you can say this was better or not but let’s see some modern dressage horse do the airs above the ground. and I absolutely love the ground work…amazing. it is truly like a ballet performance. How many modern horses work in a group like this…I am new to dressgae formally but not to being inspired by those who came before me. the horses seem relaxed and enjoying themselves. The riders are soft with their contact…and I love that they are barefoot! (flamesuit on) people who know nothing of horses always enjoy their performances not true of a modern day dressage test…
just my honest opinion…
Hi Mike, I don’t suppose you would know how to track this video down again. It seems to be MIA.
I’m having problems with this link today - Anyone else rerouted to a weird place?
The .com version - http://www.pegasustv.com/ works but I cannot find the video from here
Thanks in advance!
