Schott In The Dark Farms

07/31/2024

Sadly both Dr Reiner Klimke and Susan Hayes Woods are no longer with us, but this edited interview from 1995 is a pignant reminder that modern dressage started to go wrong over 20 years ago...

SUSAN’S INTERVIEW WITH DR. REINER KLIMKE AT THE AACHEN CHIO JULY 1995

Susan: I was watching you as you schooled Biotop in the indoor arena this morning, and it was wonderful. I noticed you were working him in a fat snaffle, and I wondered if you could talk about the importance of working in the snaffle for upper level horses.

Klimke: I ride at home only once a week on the double bridle.

Susan: Do you mean for most of your Grand Prix horses, or for this one especially?

Klimke: All. I want to have them very light in my hand. It is easier when they are really “through”, and they take the bit and take your hands. Then they are not afraid to come out to the double bridle.

Susan: Biotop seems to be very “out” to the bridle–there is not a lot of overflexing.

Klimke: And when he goes in extensions, the neck and frame extend too. And yet there are horses who make their extensions with overflexed necks and they score just as well…

Susan: Can you explain that?

Klimke: Well, when I tell you this, I don’t want to sound jealous, but I live for classical riding. Classical riding means that the horse must go: that is, the energy must come through and the horse reaches forward. But the judges don’t always mark accordingly. I don’t mind; I know what is right. I have been in this sport for nearly 40 years.

Susan: I also saw today that you were doing a lot of work on the basic paces, and simple transitions.

Klimke: Yes. The horse must go forward and he must be happy. If the horse is happy and he trusts you, then you can teach him. If you punish him, that is wrong.

Susan: They never forget. Is there any place for punishment in riding?

Klimke: I hate to punish a horse. It must not be. It can happen to anybody. Sometimes you lose your patience, you try to make the horse a slave. But it is not right. Sometimes you see riders blowing up, even here, with top riders. I say to myself, “Poor horse, I wouldn’t like to be in your stable.”

Susan: Why does it happen? A lot of these riders will teach and talk about riding classically, and mean to do it, but then it is different here. Is it the pressure?

Klimke: I think everybody wants to win. Perhaps they think if they make a horse tired it will be submissive. Sometimes it may work, but if you really look you can see what is wrong. Some judges don’t have a really good eye, and they judge by punishing mistakes, like too many or too few strides in a pirouette, for example.

Susan: Too much counting and not enough…

Klimke: Yes. The principle is: how is the walk, how is the trot, how is the canter, how is the acceptance of the bridle, how does the back work–all of these things. And in addition, the figures. But they deduct too much if a figure is not 100% okay. You see? If you make a pirouette and the horse really uses his hindquarters, and maybe the pirouette is a little big, you should not be given a 5.

Susan: That’s a little extreme.

Klimke: Yes. It can be at least a 6, can also be a 7, when the horse really canters classically. Even if the circle was too large, remember that you must deduct from 10. The judge must be able to see the main achievement of a horse and rider, in a movement.

Susan: This brings up another question, and that is–there are some amazing equine athletes here, and some of them get a lot of points because of that. Where are the places in the Grand Prix test where the talent can’t cover up the problems with the training?

Klimke: I look only at the way that the horse moves, in all three gaits. He must come from behind, with a swinging back. The head and neck must seek the bit. I hate it if the horse comes behind the vertical and stays there. When the horse is really “through”, you must be able to open and close the frame, and keep him reaching into the bit. And right now, in the judging, in my opinion, this doesn’t count for enough. But sooner or later, good riding will be rewarded. You must not lose your patience, you see. And don’t give up.

https://woodsdressage.com/ for the full interview and about Susan Hayes Woods

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07/24/2024

Ok I am sticking my neck out and opening a can of worms by saying what I feel strongly that needs to be said.

We are living at a time where there is no privacy and everything that happens behind closed doors is spoken about and shown in public. Some of this is good and some is not.

I feel very strongly about horse welfare because we as riders and trainers have the power over horses wellbeing as well as over the misuse of horses. It is our obligation to look after them and care for them.

Saying that, we as humans learn to do the right things by often making mistakes first. When I look back on my career as a rider and a coach there have been many times that I would now say I have done the wrong thing by my standards today.
I have done the wrong thing by horses in my past, riding and training in a way that I would NOT accept today, because today I know better.

I have many times looked back at horses in my past and apologised to them, feeling bad about my actions, knowing that they came from a lack of knowledge, pressure, frustration and my own ego at the time wanting to prove myself.

All these experiences have made me the rider, coach and person I am today. I have learned, grown and have become more knowledgable and compassionate as a result of my past.

What is the point of my confession and this post?

The point is that we have a current situation where a rider/trainer is punished and dragged through social media which might threaten her career not to mention the personal trauma inflicted on Charlotte herself.

We have a whistle blower who is crucified and haunted by supporters and fans, I can not imagine how he/she must be feeling right now.

We have a horse who is no better off.

All of what is happening right now, with the time that has passed has no benefit for anyone. It is only causing pain. I beg you to put yourself in the shoes of both people involved. How terrible must they feel right now.

But we can learn from mistakes so lets learn.

Riders, if you are in a lesson where something happens that you are not comfortable with, that you feel is doing wrong by you or your horse, speak up! You can only help your horse if you speak up there and then.

Parents, friends, families, if you are witnessing a lesson where the rider is not able to speak up, support them and speak for them! Stop the lesson, pay and walk away.

I know how hard it can be, I have been there myself as a rider and as a parent where I felt I had to speak up and end a lesson. Not because the horse was abused, but because I felt it was not the right way to train. Why did I know that and why could I speak up for the horse?? Because I have learned from my mistakes in the past.

Coaches and trainers, I know how hard it is to combine your love and passion for horses with the need to create an income to be able to have a sustainable business that pays the bills.
I know how difficult it can be to fulfil riders expectations and help them to achieve the sometimes unachievable.
Be courageous enough to be honest to your riders and make them understand the importance of time! It is the shortcuts that harm our horses and they are taken because we don't allow the time it takes.
Horses are in no hurry, it is us who have to learn to be patient.

I don't know the details of what has happened but I wish that we can find a way back to having conversations. Speaking to each other even if we disagree. Taking videos, slandering each other on social media and suing people who we once admired is not who we are as a horse community. Lets do better.

Lets, learn to say YES when you mean yes and learn to say NO when you mean no. Lets have discussions, disagreements and even arguments but behind closed doors and in small circles.
This is something that we all can do better so that we protect our horses at the time when they need our protection, not years later.

07/07/2024

Another trip around the sun for these two.
Happy Birthday Krystall & Kinta. Belize a few years ago..... and today.🎂

06/29/2024

06/18/2024

Tuesday Tip:
Polish your riding boots! It's not enough that they are clean and possibly even conditioned. They should be shiny!!! Dull boots seem to be a new fad. Some riders have been told not to put polish on only conditioner. Polishing protects the leather and makes them look like new. It's attention to detail. It's being turned out your very best. It's something you can control. Judges notice immediately how you and your horse are turned out when you walk in the ring. Spit and polish, shiny horse, shiny boots right away get positive attention. You look like a winner. Dull horse's coat, dull boots, poor turn out gets taken note of too.

Yes, it takes a little more time, effort and elbow grease to create a mirror like shine. It's easy and shows you care about your equipment and your appearance.

10/16/18 UPDATE: In response to some of the comments on this post from June 13, 2017. "I have used dime rowels for years. In my opinion, they are not overly strong spurs. I wear them on hot horses, cold horses, all different types. Because I can control my leg, I only use them when necessary. I ask my horses to be light to my aids. I never put marks on the horses side with them because of my educated legs, balance and timing. Any kind of spur used with the wrong intention can be tough on a horse. I would not have a beginner or novice rider using this type of spur." Anne

06/17/2024

When trying to achieve collection, many riders make the mistake of riding endlessly around the outside of the school, using their reins to artificially shorten their horse's stride and slow the pace. This is not correct collection and will only result in an unhappy horse with a short neck and a tense, tight, and possibly hollow frame.

Collection is about your horse taking more weight on his hind legs so he can have a lighter forehand, making your horse more maneuverable and promoting soundness.

Often, the best way to achieve collection is to not think about collection at all. Instead, work on improving the qualities that lead to collection, such as impulsion, straightness, and engagement through the use of school movements and exercises.

Illustration created and copyrighted by How To Dressage

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05/24/2024

9 Facts About Perfectionism: A mindset that must be unlearned or will ultimately bring your riding down 🧠

1. Every rider makes mistakes, even the best of the best.
It’s an unavoidable, universal experience and all a part of the sport.

2. Mistakes are learning opportunities.
You can grow from them and become better because of them.

3. Hyper-focusing on mistakes helps them happen.
They both become a self-fulfilling prophecy and take your focus away from your ride.

4. Mistakes mean you’re on the right track.
You can’t improve, learn, overcome challenges, and level up without them.

5. It’s not what happened but how you move forward from it that matters the most.
Moving on from the mistake matters more than the mistake itself.

6. Mistakes are temporary.
Work to fix and put them in the past instead of dwelling and allowing them to stick around.

7. Mistakes don’t define you.
You may have had a bad ride, but that doesn’t mean you’re a bad rider.

8. Social media only shows highlights.
Everyone is struggling whether they post about it or not.

9. Perfect doesn’t exist.
It’s impossible to meet unattainable expectations.

A perfectionist mindset and a lack of an ability to accept mistakes will do much more harm than good for an athlete’s mental performance. Mistakes are a normal part of sport and life. Everyone makes mistakes no matter how talented of an athlete they may be. Since perfect doesn’t exist, holding yourself to an unrealistic standard will only set you up for disappointment every ride. Instead, give yourself permission to make mistakes, using them to your advantage by viewing them as valuable feedback and learning opportunities. Refer to this post whenever you begin to feel hard on yourself, and remember that you are not alone! 🏇🏽💭✨
www.mindalignperformance.com

04/25/2024

DRESSAGE TRIVIA:

Do you know the answer to this "CORNER CONUNDRUM?" 🤔

How deep are you supposed to ride into your corners?

The answer is, it depends, and here's why:👇

Information is VAGUE out there! But according to the USEF Rule Book, “Corners should be ridden as one-quarter of a volte appropriate to the level of the test (10 meters at training-First Levels, 8 meters at Second-Fourth Levels and 6 meters above Fourth Level).”
[USEF Rule Book DR109]

But in reality, it depends on the development of both the horse and the rider. And in my humble opinion, this is the BEST answer. 🙌
It is far better to ride a good corner that will help support you and your horse for the next movement than to try to jam yourself into a black hole 😉

So definitely strive for the USEF guidelines, but only go as deep as you and your horse can without disturbing the rhythm, balance, and harmony.

04/19/2024

I’m the mom who made her daughter’s riding about me. I’ll admit it. Thankfully, my daughter’s trainer wasn’t afraid to call me out.