What a beautiful example of a happy athlete, harmony & suppleness. I too turned off the commentary. This to me is exactly what dressage is all about. Sadly it stands out to be so different from the norm of today & yet it is so classically correct. I would prefer to watch this anyday over the forced, unhappy athletes of todays dressage. I truely beautiful stallion & Manolo is simple amazing. Great Job!
Kate Collins as well as in other recordings of this video...Manolo had had him for only 6 months I think. Yes the judge was basically picking. Its so nice to see a rider riding the horse in an event for his training as at the horses level....not necessarily at the humans whims of fashion. I really like the test. I am so wanting to see him on this horse further down the track and see how lovely he comes along with this caring training.
To me, anyway, it is far more important that the horse be content, willing and relaxed. These three are more important, in the long run and for the horses health, than is precision.
Manolo Mendez is riding the test just as he teaches ... true to what is best for the horse, no BTV but freedom in the head and neck, with free forward movement. Bravo! Until more riders take a stand and stop damaging their horses with methods proven to harm them and shorten their careers, announcers will continue to announce based on what they are used to seeing. Lovely ride from a happy horse and a master rider.
On hearing the comment that the horses' head was extended more than perhaps it should be in the extended trot meaning the horse has find longer stride with front legs to balance the neck and head. So this is meaning one is meant to have a more contracted neck in the extended trot and flick its front legs out. How in the world does a horse do and extended trot if its neck is not extended. Pretty much over the modern dressage philosophy. A ground covering trot does not make much of an appearance these days. Only the fling its legs out type of stuff where the horse appears to be struggling as it actually is.
The horse is short in the neck and long in the back. Therefore the neck needs to be longer for the horse to balance. Manolo is riding the horse correctly. If he had shortened the neck and done nothing else the commentator would have been more positive even though the horse would have been going incorrectly
I presume the commentator is used to "Modern day dressage" with leg movers rather than back movers. This looks wonderful, with a relaxed, responsive and happy horse.
Appalling commentary. I watched with the sound off the first time through and only turned the sound on when I read the other comments. I wish I hadn't! A beautiful relaxed horse, self carrying and working in a confident obedient manner for a beautiful relaxed rider. Isn't that what we ALL should be aiming for?
I agree, the horse is coming above the bit against the hand at times, lacked a little consistency and wasn't enough on the hind leg. Commentator fairly on track in my opinion. Lovely sweet horse and neat test but lacks polish.
At least Manolo Mendez is coherent with his training methods. And it is true that sometimes it's as the horse was saying: if you want I can do more, and Manolo saying: nope, that's ok..:-)))). So fun to watch.
Clearly the commentator was reflecting "what is fashionable" in today's dressage world. Suggest she and the judges re acquaint themselves with the FEI rules that Decarpentry wrote ( with others) . As far as I know they have not been re written for very good reason. That reason was clearly demonstrated in this test, even if it wasn't perfect, but then Totilas was never ridden in perfection, (according to FEI rules....but never mind that).....and look at where he is now at such a young age too....and all thanks to being ridden in today's "Modern" competition way. Crank and spank them into submission, then watch them break down...Valegro is well onto the same path.
hmmm- I don't think the commentator was ALL wrong- she did talk about the horse being relaxed and she called Manolo a master. :-) and it IS HARDER to do these movements with an open throat latch. Where she is wrong is that it isn't harder for the horse- it's harder for the rider!!! The horse could show more collection between movements at this level, but she also points out how well the horse sits when Manolo really asks for it- like in the pirouettes. Judges have to judge what they see and this pair did have many bobbles because of the lack of death grip. Instead of beating up the commentator, I would like to see all FEI tests include stretching FDO at trot and canter, AND for each to require some movements be done one handed.
I am assuming that Manolo is campaining a young horse new to this level of dressage. And this test is merely a transition into this level. I think the test was a lovely example of a soft forward moving very elastic horse that in the future will do amazing things. But I may be wrong. Personally I thought the gentleness of manolo was lovely and when the horse is more developed then what the commentator is pointing out for this level will come very nicely. Not that i know anything of course.
I can understand her critique however, I thought the horse and rider had a beautiful fluid relationship and I’d prefer to see that kind of demonstration anyday as opposed to full rollkur etc.
Never tire of seeing a happy, supple horse allowed to express itself, and a rider clearly leading by example. Not for me the robotic, exaggerated, strangled miserable horses we see so much of now...
Will someone please tell this "commentator" that the nose should be slightly in front of the vertical and not over bent? And, that it's not a fault for the for the horse to work in a relaxed and contented fashion? It's thinking like this that more or less drove me to Cowboy Dressage, where the emphasis is on a good working relationship between horse and rider.
this is a young horse no where near as collected as Klimke. ..still in early stage of training flying changes thats why he allowed the lower frame. no pressure etc.the lengthen trot was a good example of not being high enough in the poll... Early days yet much nicer to watch yeah!.
I don't know who this guy is meant to be or what level this test is, but his seat is awful, there's no collection and the whole test is a mess... The horse is lovely but he gonna have a sore back after all that bouncing around 😐
