Question on Use of Whip

[akor]

Full disclosure: I am not now, nor I will ever be, qualified to ride around a 3* track. Nor know how often a typical 3* rider needs to go to the whip or should, etc. And, in the case that prompted me to write this, I can’t argue with success.

I wonder though, about how “often one should have to use it” out on a course country course and if using it several times would, under normal circumstances, be a red flag.

I just watched a video of a 3* (clear round) where by 2:42 into it, I saw 4 solid cracks, 3 over fences, and one well ahead of any fence. There was another (in between fences) about 30 seconds later. I though nothing of the first as it was at a trakhener type and thought the horse might be ditchy and was an A+ save from my ammy perspective. The rest I am unsure about.

I tend to watch a lot of UL rides via video and I don’t recall seeing this frequency.

Is this a riding style? Do some horses, even UL one, “need” frequent cracks? Do “they” (as in course officials) ever penalize someone for this type of thing?

One of my mares needed a good solid crack now and then, even at BN. Maybe 2 if it was one of those days days, but is was primarily to get her to pay attention to my leg aids, not to fences so much. I also am fully aware that one good crack is more effective than nagging. I do believe though, that if I had to crack her 5 times in the first 1/3 of the course that I would start to wonder what was going on. Would I continue on? I don’t know that I can say for certain I would stop.

Thanks all

[HiJumpGrrl]

I think it’s an aid, and if your horse is not responding the way you want him to to your leg alone, it absolutely can and should be used as many times as needed. I apply this especially out on XC, where the stakes can be life/death related. This is not to say it should be used excessively, but there are well-written rules addressing that issue.

[Hilary]

Hard to say without seeing the round, but it sounds like the horse might have been a bit sticky to start that day and the rider was making sure the horse was forward. The smack ‘well ahead of the fence’ could have been to focus a distracted horse - “hey, I put my leg on and your blew me off, I’m up here, pay attention”.

Did the rider use the whip before every single fence, or just those early fences? If they left it alone for the rest of the course I’d say the horse was having a slow start that day, the rider fixed it, and I wouldn’t concern myself with it.

If the rider began going to the whip at the end of the course and with more frequency, that would be more alarming as it would indicate the horse was tiring and the rider was having to do a bit more than supportive riding to come home clean.

[Blugal]

Depends. Was the horse green for the level? Sometimes they need more help. Maybe the horse was having an “off” day. Maybe it was OK to continue (obviously the rider felt so, as the round continued and it went clear). Maybe the rider is new to the level and a little more nervous. And maybe it was unwarranted and they both need more schooling.

I wouldn’t judge it without knowing a bit more (and not having seen the round!!) and perhaps seeing their next go would give a more solid picture.

[akor]

Thanks all! Good point about the latter part of the course - here, the whip is used throughout, (Not quite sure how many times as from the angle, the rider could be sorting out the reins (double bridle) rather than using the whip on the shoulder so I think a “count” would be unfair. And, later on, the use seems less “whackish” and more of a reminder type action.

[Carried_Away]

I’m in no way connected to the video you are referring to, however the horse in question is young and green at the level. IMHO the rider’s use of the whip in addition to excellent riding was beneficial and the horse grew more confident as he went on.

I imagine the first sticky moment made the rider realize the horse was being a bit green and he should be proactive the rest of the course. Generally the rulebook says the horse cannot be hit more than 3 times in a row. At FEI events, yellow cards or verbal warnings can be used for “excessive use of the whip or spurs” if the officials feel it is warranted.