In extravagent movers with lots of air time…they are born with it. You can see them with that floaty trot at 6 months old in the pasture. I agree with the article that it is Ed Gals’s skill that brings out the best in these horses and makes them sit behind , freeing up the shoulders more. Lesser riders flatten these horses movements over time instead of elevating it.
[QUOTE=Lunatic;8420064]
It’s quite astounding the amount of people that stand behind Edward Gal despite the common knowledge that he rides his horses in hyper flexion. With such a cruel, unnatural heard set it’s no wonder the his horses move so mechanically.[/QUOTE]
I admire his seat and talent, not his methods. I think you can read a page of a book and not want to buy the book.
[QUOTE=Mardi;8419387]
EG’s position is an interesting topic. My trainer has pointed out that EG’s rounded/slumped shoulders, and legs that are often in front of his hips with toes out, are not things to emulate.[/QUOTE]
http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=4204
I tend to not have issues with his position, but even if so - the things you list are opposite of my tendencies. I too often tend to block my horses’ movement, not move with them. And EG just flows with the horses, never limiting their movement - on FAR larger movers than I have, of course. I have a past in equitation, and tend toward too testbook and not effective enough. I am constantly working toward that, including trying to “slump” which is still sitting up straight - in order to remove the artificial stiffness I don’t even realize I’m creating.
[QUOTE=Donella;8419993]Edward Gal is simply the master of making the horses super through and super compressed on their hind legs and when they are naturally gifted horses the result is the expression that you see in his horses.
I read this article written by an Australian GP rider who has trained with many of the greats including EG this is what he has to say:
"Then Hubertus Schmidt. I loved the way he was a very good horseman and had a great system of training which was a good reflection of the classical system. Then Edward Gal who I thought was the best representative of the Dutch system. I felt that maybe Anky and Sjef developed the system but I loved the way Edward rode. He’s probably been my favourite rider since I met him in 2000. I like the way he gets the horses really balanced back on the hindlegs and uphill, really up in the wither. I think he can do that better than anybody. I like where Edward puts his body. He keeps back off their wither and lets them get in front of him.
All three of those riders share one common factor, that is they all ride with a very loose upper leg and they give horses freedom to really expand in the back and work up through the back. They’ve all got beautiful contact and nice steady hands. Of course Edward rides them rounder and Hubertus doesn’t ride them short and there a lots of different things like that, but they all have good contact and they all ride with a beautiful, soft upper leg and a lower leg that commands response. They’re the things I keep in the back of my mind when I watch those guys riding"[/QUOTE]
Very good quotation. I don’t prefer EG’s training methods and results, but he does it VERY effectively, and that effectiveness is something for me to emulate. I’ll very obviously never be at the top, but there is plenty to learn from there.
Yep. I watch his seat and effectiveness, and try to be as supportive in minute, balanced riding - even as I try for longer necks and overstep in extensions. 
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8420180]
In extravagent movers with lots of air time…they are born with it. You can see them with that floaty trot at 6 months old in the pasture. I agree with the article that it is Ed Gals’s skill that brings out the best in these horses and makes them sit behind , freeing up the shoulders more. Lesser riders flatten these horses movements over time instead of elevating it.[/QUOTE]
Yes, and for those who have seen young horses at liberty in the pasture when they are feeling motivated - you will see this same type of movement! Ed Gal has a gift in bringing out the horse’s natural talent.
And when you watch the horses - they look HAPPY. I first saw him on Lingh at the World Cup many years ago - no one knew who he was at that point. I was mesmerized watching him ride - he and Lingh were so in-sync, so harmonious, no one else had that kind of ride!
I’ll ask him. He’s very familiar with the history of dressage and it’s modern incarnation, so his response will be worth bringing back to you.
Since there are many top riders who don’t ride in a position like EG, we know that it’s possible to ride differently (more “textbook”), and be as successful.
I’m not completely ‘with’ everyone here, but I’d say it is what is going on underneath the exterior that we can see… every top rider is influencing the horse with invisible aids - weight, balance, core, seat, legs, breath, timing, etc. The so called slumping is making the spine supple to go with the horse’s movement.
That is my struggle in trying to make my horse as light and willing as possible…
and I have help.
But I’m just an armchair quarterback.
[QUOTE=Lusoluv;8411948]
Yes, so much tension that the gait is artificial and hovering…not forward looking. Yes it looks sensational, but it isn’t what the true/original/ground covering or natural gaits should emulate. Oh well…[/QUOTE]
This was my impression as well. His hind end kind of drifts around. I’m not sure I like THAT much animation. Love Edward Gal as a rider though.
It’s not that the horses are necessarily huge movers, it’s that they are super talented. The have a lot “in” them. Most top horses look pretty normal in their schooling/pony trot. Here is a great example of how much good training can effect a horse that has a lot “in” him.
Five year old Lusitano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nKrgVvVn6w
Same horse a few years later:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpJf1uqk-qE
[QUOTE=Donella;8421060]
It’s not that the horses are necessarily huge movers, it’s that they are super talented. The have a lot “in” them. Most top horses look pretty normal in their schooling/pony trot. Here is a great example of how much good training can effect a horse that has a lot “in” him.
Five year old Lusitano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nKrgVvVn6w
Same horse a few years later:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpJf1uqk-qE[/QUOTE]
That is very nice and on top of that is that the horse’s nose is in the perfect position and not behind the vertical. Looks nicely trained
Donella, Love that set of videos. Love how he reaches with his front legs.
