Young Talent for International Dressage By Charlene Strickland judges’
POINT OF VIEW T
o compete at the FEI levels as a four-, five- or six-
year-old, a young horse requires a combination of conformation, gaits, and temperament. Such talent is inborn and then cultivated, with the breeder producing a quality horse and the rider training the youngster correctly. “The young horse
classes are very important for the breeders,” says Dr. Dieter Schüle at the Trainers’ and Judges’ Forum, presented by the Southern German Breeders Association at Red Hawk Ranch, Murrieta, California, September 17–19, 2011. “The breeders should work more closely with the riders. The rider helps the breeder with the horse’s rideability and [to learn] if the horse is easy to handle. With young horse classes you can find out which breeding lines are good for dressage.” Dr. Schüle, a world-
Participants in the judging workshop at the Judge’s and Trainers’ Forum, with Dr. Dieter Schüle and Sabine Schut-Kery on Rohan.
QUALITY BREEDING To be successful at FEI, clearly horses must have excellent natural gaits. . “Most important is clear rhythm, relaxed with a swinging back. Look at engaged hind legs that come under the horse,” says Dr. Schüle. He notes that such activity begins young. “Foals should not
renowned International FEI “O” Judge, FEI Supervisory Panelist, and sport horse breeder, led this unique forum so riders, trainers, breeders and judges could freely discuss the development of talented young horses. Over three days, he analyzed demonstration horses, addressing pedigrees and coaching riders to improve performance. He was assisted by co-presenters, FEI “O” judge Axel Steiner, and Berufsreitlehrer FN (Master Trainer/Instructor) Gerhard Politz, both German authorities now based in southern California. Prior to the event, Dr. Schüle hand picked the demonstration horses based on numerous videos submitted by aspiring participants.
Dr. Dieter Schüle, Ansbach, Germany, FEI “O” judge.
74 November/December 2011
move with hocks out. The horse should come from behind as a foal. The hock should be engaged and bent—not out behind the horse. Look at the hip and fetlock.” On conformation, he remarks, “A good dressage horse is
correct. It’s hard to improve a horse with bad conformation.” One area often overlooked that he mentions is the elbows. “I look for freedom in the elbows. The reason is that the half pass is where the horse needs to have freedom so that the elbows come over. If elbows are flat, lying on the body, the horse can have problems in lateral work.” When asked how to identify bloodlines that work well for
rideability, Dr. Schüle answers, “You have to watch what is going on with the fatherline or motherline. For example, at the mare test, you can see more mares from the same lines. If you see most mares from one line have a bad trot or walk,
All photos are by Charlene Strickland
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