JUDGING TODAYquote.rightS DRESSAGE RIDER
By Betsy Berrey
al training you’ve accomplished will make aids. The ability to use these tools correct-
these movements easier for you and your ly is dependent on the rider’s seat, position
INTRODUCTION horse. and balance. The rider must also concen-
Dressage has become increasing pop- trate on not over-using his legs, whip or
ular in the United States because it is end-
A NEW FOCUS ON THE RIDER
spurs because the horse will then become
lessly challenging and fascinating. Each
In 2007, the United States Equestrian
less sensitive to the aids. The goal is a
horse is different; every ride, warm-up or
Federation (USEF) made a significant
prompt response to the aids. Since the
test presents new challenges. Dressage
change in the collective marks at the end
horse can feel a fly, he should also obey
also provides an opportunity to interact
of every national test. The rider’s score
light aids. If the response is not immedi-
with those big creatures that we are pas-
was increased from a co-efficient of 2 to
ate, a second stronger aid may be neces-
sionate about, without the risks inherent to
one of 3, giving it greater weight and
sary, but constant nagging produces a dull,
jumping and eventing.
emphasis. The thinking behind this
less responsive horse.
However, since the majority of dres-
change was to further encourage riders to
Whips are allowed in most classes at
sage riders are juniors, young riders and
work on themselves in order to better
USEF shows so there is no reason not to
adult amateurs, it is sometimes easy to
show their athletic, capable horses.
carry one if you need it. The tradition of
forget that dressage is truly about the cor-
In order to show your horse to the
carrying the whip on the inside came
rect gymnastic training of the HORSE.
best of his abilities, you need a secure,
about because, when riding indoors, it is
Yes, good riding is essential to this
independent seat. The reins have many
better not to use the whip between your
process, but an effective rider who lacks
uses, but maintaining the rider’s balance is
horse and the outside walls of the ring.
elements of the classical seat and position
not one of them. The ideal way to
However, there are no walls in a dressage
can still do well in the arena. I trained for
improve your seat is on the lunge line,
arena, so you may carry it on the side
many years with a professional who had a
where you don’t have to worry about con-
where you need it the most. There is no
hip replacement. Her seat was unconven-
trolling the horse. If you have an opportu-
need to change the whip when you change
tional but her horses were correct and she
nity to take some lunge lessons, they will
directions. In fact, it is best to leave the
scored well on all of them.
be very beneficial to your riding.
whip in one hand throughout the test,
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
USING THE DOUBLE BRIDLE
because changing it may disrupt the
Decades ago, when I started out on
The ongoing debate over whether or
movement and your horse.
my judging career, I had the good fortune
not to continue allowing the double bridle
Carry it on the side where you are
to work with Mike Matthews, a popular
in Third Level was also a factor in increas-
likely to need it the most and leave it there
and well-known judge in the Midwest. He
ing the rider co-efficient to 3. After much
for the entire test. If you prefer to carry
taught me the foundation of how to look at
discussion, it was agreed that the bridle,
the whip in your right hand, for example,
the rider throughout a test. “When all
when used properly, is simply another tool
when you salute, you have two options.
goes well the rider deserves credit. When
for refining the aids. Rather than ban it
You can put the whip and the reins into
there are problems the rider must bear
from Third Level, it is better to be sure
your left hand and salute with the right
responsibility,” he said.
that riders have independent seats and
arm, or put the reins into your right hand,
No horse munching his breakfast hay
elastic connections needed to master four
along with the whip, and salute with your
thinks, “I’m looking forward (or not) to
reins attached to two different bits.
left arm. You must salute by putting the
riding First Level Test 4 and Second Level
The proper use of the double bridle
reins in one hand, but the rules do not
Test 1 today.” If a horse is upset, shying
requires both education and practice. The
specify which hand is to be used. Do not
repeatedly, resistant to the rider’s aids and
reins can be held in a variety of ways;
salute with the whip in your hand because
unwilling to go freely forward, then the
there are different exercises for improving
you run the risk of disturbing the horse’s
rider’s score will reflect this. When a test
the connection. The purpose of the double
halt.
does not go well, the aids were not effec-
bridle is to enhance the development of
tive and the horse was not reliably on
the horse’s haunches. Correctly used, it
HARMONY
them, whether the rider is new to the sport
should increase both impulsion and carry-
Dressage is a dance in which horse
or a former Olympian. Therefore, the
ing power. In a full bridle, 80 percent of
and rider become partners; the movements
decision to show your horse on a specific
the weight of the contact should be on the
and figures should be smooth and accu-
day in one test or another is entirely that of
snaffle. Ideally, the arm of the curb is at a
rate. The overall goal is a harmonious
the rider, often after consulting with his or
45 degree angle to the ground and the partnership in which both horse and rider
her trainer.
horse willingly accepts both bits.
are alert and attentive, not tense and dis-
As my friend, FEI rider and trainer
Having a visible loop in the curb reins
tracted. Harmony is one of the compo-
Chris Hickey said, “With luck you will
during a test indicates to the judge that
nents of the collective mark for
have 80 percent of the quality and content
your horse does not accept the curb.
Submission. These also include attention
from the warm-up once you enter the
When used correctly the double bridle
arena.” So, it’s always best to show one
should allow the horse to maintain an
and confidence, lightness and ease of
level below what you are training at home.
uphill neck carriage. When the arm of the
movements, acceptance of the bridle and
This assures that you and your horse will
curb is close to being parallel to the
lightness of the forehand. Submission is
not need to struggle with unfamiliar or
ground, the poll is low, and the nose
the collective mark that is tied most close-
weak movements and figures.
behind the vertical, the bridle is not
ly to the rider mark, since its elements are
If you hope to have winning rides at
accepted in the proper way. There is a very the product of correct training and devel-
Second Level, it is ideal to be working on
well-written section, with good photo-
opment of the basics through the Training
half passes, extensions and single flying
graphs, about the double bridle in Charles
Scale: Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact,
changes at home. As the show gets closer,
de Kunffy’s book Training Strategies for
Impulsion, , Straightness and Collection.
you can concentrate on the Second Level
Dressage Riders.
Betsey Berrey is a Senior USEF
movements, such as counter canter, sim-
WHIPS AND SPURS
ple changes and traverse, but the addition-
The same thinking applies to whips
Dressage Judge and member of the “L”
and spurs, which can amplify or refine the
Program faculty.
12 ANDALUSIAN Issue 2, 2009
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