“What other horse has taken two different riders to the top of the world?” - Janet Foy
movement and articulation. His trot has a different elasticity and reach. Valegro has elasticity and reach longitudinally,” Anne continues. “I have ridden horses that have similar ingredients, though I might add, never of that amazing quality. To me, it is easier to ride the Totilas type that is more compact and under you than the Valegro type who is so elastic that they sometimes can spring out of your grip. The compact, upward type is more maneuverable, at least when it comes to piaffe, passage and pirouettes. The elastic horse is even more exciting going sideways and in extension because they have enormous air time and bounce. But they’re not easy to hold together or to keep organized. “The plus side of all that elasticity is that
you can turn on the most fascinating exten- sions. If Totilas has any weakness maybe it is that he is not quite as expressive and flamboyant in his extension. But his collect- ed work can be spot on,” she adds. “They are totally different types that you can enjoy equally. They have all the ingredients that we are looking to create as we train a horse: impulsion, engagement, collection.” “Their movement strengths are pretty much the
say the more impulsion you have, the more submis- sion you need. Dressage is always trying to find the perfect harmony between impulsion and submission. I have to say three of Valegro’s rides—the Grand Prix and Special in the London Olympics, and the freestyle at Olympia last year—that was it for me.” With equal admiration, she points to Totilas—what other horse has taken two different riders to the top of the world, she asks.
THEIR RIDERS These judges saw a different relationship between Matthias and Totilas at Aachen this summer, and rec- ognized a new partnership between horse and rider. “Remember that Totilas was trained
Janet
same,” Janet says. “Trot and canter half passes are amazing and easily 10. Piaffe, passage, transitions and flying changes are easily 10. Their walks and extended trots are similar. How they perform that day will make the difference.” Taking a closer look at Valegro, Janet loves his
great power and impulsion, which is matched by his submission: the neck length is long, and the mouth is closed, always with plenty of foam. “He has the perfect combination of impulsion and submission. We always
14 September/October 2014
by Edward Gal and they had a relation- ship. No matter the horse or the train- ing, it takes at least a year for the horse to accept the new rider,” says Anne. “He is completely tuned in to the silent lan- guage of the original rider’s small aids that are never exactly the same as those of the new rider. The pair has to tune into
the same channel. The horse has to trust and accept a new person as his rider. There aren’t many riders who would have taken on that horse, not because he isn’t an unbelievable horse, but because it won’t be an overnight success.” At Aachen, the new relationship made its debut.
“It was a real partnership,” says Janet. “You can’t just get on and win. I saw unbelievably beautiful flying changes, super piaffe and passage—and those are the movements that are so individual to how the horse responds to the rider’s aids. Matthias is really
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