I don’t disagree, but why can’t we make it something different that gives them the “bragging rights” without compromising safety? I’m thinking how fox hunters earn their colors - let grand prix riders compete in boots with different colored tops or with stylized stripes on their sleeve or something that gives a visual signal that they’ve competed at the top level, but doesn’t set a poor example. IMO it’d be even cooler because then you could still wear them at lower level tests.
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They are already festooned with medals/patches/badges for status add-ons.
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Motorsports Insurance. https://www.gorsline.com/
Most policies are placed with Lloyd’s.
Regular insurance companies run a mile if you just mention motorsports.
There are a bunch of specialist insurers available who cover events, tracks, drivers, cars, products etc.etc.
Expensive though.
Until 1952, you had to be a military officer to compete in dressage in the Olympics. Then-current military uniforms were worn. It is still permissible to wear a military uniform (current) in competition. The salute at the beginning and end of the test is a reference to the fact that in the origin of the sport, the judge was the ranking officer.
Back in the 18th century, the military uniforms consisted of white breeches, tailcoats in the national color, and tall boots.
Civilians can hardly wear a military uniform, historical or modern, but they can wear the basic elements of the historical dress.
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I’m not chicken. I ride a well-trained, pretty dependable horse. I understand, however, that even the best trained, most dependable horse can take a misstep and fall, or can be genuinely frightened by something and shy/spook/bolt. This is why I wear a helmet.
Also, if you get to FEI Grand Prix competition you will probably be riding something of a hot tamale. Chill, lazier horses don’t often make it that far. A friend who was a medalist in international competition at PSG, told me she doubts that horse will ever be competitive at GP because he’s “too lazy.”
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If we wanted our equipment to show true submission and harmony, the reins would be made of al dente pasta noodles (or perhaps a more elegantly engineered substitute, like a 1 pound magnetic connection from bit to rein) that would break if there was any tension between horse and rider. If a rein breaks, you’re out with no score.
Oddly, I see no movement towards such a thing.
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One of the Olympic trials events held in California many years back didn’t put spectators in the two front rows and strongly cautioned the crowd against making any noise, so as not to scare the horses. I was thinking, where the heck do you think we are proposing to send these horses, the library?
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I am in favor of helmets, and always wear one. I did not take the position that helmets should not be worn as a demonstration of the submission of the horse. I just said for a top rider to petition to be permitted to ride without a helmet during the actual test at 5* FEI competitions is not something I find outrageous.
I assume that even top riders on exquisitely trained horses prefer leather reins to noodles for safety and control in case the horse bolts or starts bucking. That’s probably why you see no petitions for noodle reins.
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Or as what’s his name, the Maestro, would say, “Reins of silk.”
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WRT a top hat equaling status: I think that’s a pretty outdated point of view riders are clinging to. When I think top-level rider, I now think of CD, who wears a helmet to compete. I don’t think the top hat really represents much anymore. At least not to the broader audience, or newer riders.
I do admit to being newer to the sport myself (within the last decade). I remember seeing a woman at a dressage schooling show (many, many years back) wearing a top hat. I was just getting into dressage at the time and really knew very little about tradition, so I never really saw it as a status symbol, or top-level indicator.
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But clearly it means much to other world class riders; hence the petition.
Problem with that is, there should be no outside help - voice is one of them.
The rider isn’t allowed to use his voice as well.
How are judges supposed to hear what’s going on if everyone is cheering?
How will they know the extended trot is from the rider and not from someone shouting something from the stands.
Dressage events are not TWH classes.
Also, Reining, horses technically know their job by 3 yrs old (futurity) … GP horses aren’t confirmed before 9-10yrs old… more like 15.
To me, it shows how more difficult it is to get to top level of dressage.
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So - which officers wore canary vests ? Dressage drew it’s “tradition” from the foxhunting field.
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Is the fact that they are competing at Grand Prix proof of their accomplishments?
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Exactly the reason why petitioning against helmets is absurd
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BigMama, i would agree, but the petition shows these riders don’t think so.
Maybe it’s to signal the judge that they are awesome and should start with higher scores because, after all - top hat, duh!
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Nailed it, BigMama1.
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Canary waistcoats were quite popular back in the day, even in the military. Nearly every portrait of G. Washington shows him in one, and the older images of the Austrian cavalry riders from the 1700’s also show them in canary (although their long coats were red). I don’t think they were specific to the hunt field. I think it was the style for over a century and the canary waistcoat made it’s way to the hunt field, the battle field, and even the ballroom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waistcoat#/media/File:BLW_Man’s_Court_Coat_and_Waistcoat.jpg
You will find similar military uniforms for the French, Austrians, etc…
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Having leather reins permits you to half halt, steer, or stop a bolt or a buck. Wearing a helmet doesn’t help you control the horse in anyway.
If a top rider is riding a well trained horse with leather reins and all the standard tack, a helmet is useful safety gear in the eventuality the rider gets bucked off. But the helmet does nothing to prevent the buck.
For myself, I always wear a helmet. I’m just not scandalized by these top riders petitioning to go helmetless in very rarefied circumstances. Obviously the riders still need the normal tack to cue snd control the horse.
When I rode a hot horse at the lower levels, I wished I could have ridden in a double bridle, because I thought it gave me better ability to stop a bolt. That is, I felt safer in a double.
Should the double bridle be permitted at all levels for safety reasons (assuming the rider is already wearing a helmet)?
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Dressage historically comes from continental Europe more than England. The names of the movements are French. The training terms are German. The top dressage breeds are German and Dutch. Fox hunting is a British tradition and sport.
Not everything in the entire world has originated from English traditions. Are you British,@Equibrit ?
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