Could rollkur be on the way out?
Support builds for dressage riders and trainers to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to hyperflexion
THE FEI is reviewing procedures on rollkur after a long campaign.
Earlier this year, BHS fellows and trainers submitted a letter to the federation calling for an end to hyperflexion (news, 8 February).
The letter also calls for the federation to define the difference between “forced hyperflexion” and “classical training systems” and their different influences on horses’ performance and wellbeing. Although rollkur is not allowed under FEI rules (see box) campaigners say it still takes place in training and at competitions.
This week, a spokesman for the FEI told H&H that following receipt of the letter, its dressage committee is “carefully reviewing” part of the FEI stewards’ manual which focuses on pre- and postcompetition training techniques.
The FEI is also “working closely” with officials on enforcing rules at shows, and education.
“The FEI continues to consult with the global equestrian community on this,” she said.
UNIVERSAL BENEFIT
TRAINER and British Horse Society (BHS) fellow Tim Downes is part of the campaign.
“The aim was to encourage better access to education and start changes to rules and acceptable practice,” he told H&H. “In one way, perhaps it is better we may have started calculated and planned action rather than a knee-jerk reaction from the FEI.”
Four-star judge Christoph
Hess shared his support for clamping down on rollkur, although he believes far fewer riders are implementing these
training methods than in the past.
“People have realised it’s not the right way and the riders who do use it don’t get good results,” he told H&H. “When someone is successful, other people want to copy them.
“Carl [Hester] and Charlotte [Dujardin] are the best ambassadors of good riding and they’ve made a huge difference.”
Trainer Pammy Hutton, who has been instrumental in the campaign, praised the BHS for its support in addressing the issue at its coaching conventions.
“We just want what’s right for the horse,” she told H&H.
“It’s a very difficult subject, but these questions need to be discussed openly. We need to look at it further.”
Trainer William Micklem said “everyone” in dressage would benefit if rollkur were stopped.
“Riders would buy smaller more suitable horses and ride with more feel, horses would be trained for acceptance rather than submission, and the sport as a whole would be more attractive to spectators and sponsors,” he said.
“We need to draw a line under this because it generates nothing but discord and negative publicity, presenting an image that does not represent the true values and core benefits of dressage.
“With dressage, on the tin, it says development of natural outline and paces of the horse, it says harmony and happy athlete and lightness, ease and beauty. Rollkur, force and unnatural outlines are the equivalent of an infringement of the Trade Descriptions Act.
“We are misleading consumers, selling ourselves short and without doubt damaging the image of dressage.”