Which tests are you using, please?
2 Likes
I think it’s funny when people use the reasoning “well, the Europeans do it…” to justify their decisions. I had a friend who went to train in Germany at a top barn two decades ago, and she was laughed at for wearing a helmet…
10 Likes
It is the right path of education. Riding a horse on the bit is not part of a “beginner stage” of riding. There are lots of things that come before that in the development of a rider. Beginners are still supposed to go to shows of course, the earlier the better, but we don’t want them to mess with the horses mouth and we also don’t want the horses to run around with their heads up in the air. So the best solution for horse and rider are auxiliary reins. Obviously used correctly.
We have regular dressage tests, called benchmark tests as well as a newly developed concept called ability tests. You can find explanation videos on the website.
We’ve been to plenty of dressage shows. That’s the only reason why we are doing this.
Of course not everything in Europe is better, that’s why we combined the best of both worlds.
But it’s still obvious that the European (German/Danish/British) System is “more successful”, not only at the top but at each level.
Especially in Dressage
The biggest problem for the UDJC right now is its style of public communications. The superior argumentative attitude. The lack of awareness of effective public communications. Its inability to learn from its mistakes. Or even perceive its mistakes.
And especially the defensive lack of awareness of the damage being done that can’t be fixed.
Too bad. Oh well.
36 Likes
Yep. I’m out of here.
6 Likes
Me, too. Not interested in pursuing the definition of insanity.
One last question that was asked on the H/J forum - how come none of your events are listed on the SWEC calendar?
3 Likes
That was answered on the H/J forum by people familiar with the venue. It’s a venue thing, and the first show did eventually make it on to the site before the show happened.
In fact, I do believe that someone involved in the management of the venue left and has since become involved with the UDJC.
1 Like
Who will be judging these dressage tests and what are their base requirements for licensing as a judge with your organization and what training and education will they have before they become judges?
2 Likes
Can you tell us who wrote your dressage tests and what their background is? And who proofed them before publishing them for shows? I ask because I find your highest test (the only one I looked at) unrideable and I have competed successfully through GP at USDF shows….
2024 UDJC Dressage Level S**
Benchmark Test S3
A Enter collected canter
X Halt - immobility - salute
proceed in collected canter
X-C collected canter
C track to the left
H-F half pass right
X flying change of lead
X-K half pass right
So if you are turning left off center line I’d expect to be on the left lead. It is impossible to half pass right from H and stay in the arena. It is also kind of impossible to half pass right while on the left lead.
26 Likes
You do realize there is a world of options between the horse going around with its head in the air and the horse being forced into a frame by a training tool (that some people feel is not safe to be used in that manner), I assume, even though you post like you think those are the only two options?
For the record, I am one of the people that thinks another show series is a great thing.
I just find your approach of mockery and insulting to be very … not professional or appealing.
28 Likes
I don’t find the idea of removing a horse’s ability to protest the rider very animal-friendly. If the rider’s hands or seat are bouncing, the horse should have the ability to protest that.
17 Likes
I just picked your post to reply sorry if you are the wrong person…
I just wanted to add some information about European Dressage tests… and I won’t dare to classify what level it is 
… I learned on this board that there is no comparison at all…
2 Likes
I kind of get the concern but kind of don’t as well. A lot of people on here post about using side reins to help the horse stretch, seek contact, keep head steady, etc. and forcing it into a frame is not the assumption. But it seems that’s the assumed use of side reins in a show environment?
To me, it doesn’t seem much different than a martingale in other disciplines.
I don’t see what you’re talking about. This is the S*** Test:
Strange.
That’s probably a weird website problem.
