Horse_amp_amp_Hound__06_February_2018

NEWSInsider
Edited by Eleanor Jones
Anti-rollkur campaign
‘starts to make tracks’
A petition calling for an end to hyperflexion is to be submitted to the FEI within
weeks, while top judges and trainers are among those joining the call for action
Judges and trainers should
‘explain the right way of
schooling horses’
Library image
A CAMPAIGN against rollkur,
also known as hyperflexion, is
gathering momentum, with
support from top judges and the
British Horse Society (BHS).
A group of BHS Fellows and
dressage trainers have created a
petition calling for an end to the
use of rollkur. The petition, which
will be submitted to the FEI in the
coming weeks, also calls for the
federation to define the difference
between “forced hyperflexion” and
“classical training systems” and
their different influences on horse
wellbeing and performance.
“I think we’re really starting
to make tracks,” said classical
dressage trainer Heather Moffett,
who helped launch the campaign.
“We have List One judges on
board and quite a lot of grand prix
riders. I think the FEI will find it
quite difficult to ignore us.
“We have to be careful that
we don’t lose Olympic dressage
through public outcry over
rollkur. Many horses in stages
of training get overbent, but
when you see them with their
chins welded to their chests, that
has come from enforced training.”
Four-star judge Christoph
Hess is supporting the petition.
He said it is important to
By RACHAEL TURNER
understand the different reasons
why horses can be behind the
vertical, and that this is not always
damaging to the horse.
“A horse that’s shorter in the
neck isn’t necessarily going the
wrong way,” he said.
“What’s important is that
the horse is in front of the rider,
seeking the bit and moving
forwards. When this happens it’s
nothing to do with rollkur.
“It’s important judges, trainers
and riders explain the right way
of schooling horses. I think we
also have to educate stewards as
much as possible so they can see
how harmonious the horse and
rider are. If there are a couple
of moments of disharmony, that
happens. If it always has a positive
forwards tendency then it’s fine.”
Mr Hess said rollkur is an
ongoing issue, but one that has
improved in recent years.
“British dressage riders have
had an amazing influence on good
riding,” he said. “You have Carl
Hester and Charlotte Dujardin,
who give a really good example.”
The BHS is in support and
plans to spread the word about
the petition.
Dressage rider, trainer and
H&H columnist Pammy Hutton,
who has been instrumental in
the campaign, said this is an
important development.
“We’re excited the
BHS is joining the campaign,”
she told H&H. “They’re going to
make more noise about us at their
conventions. I also want to thank
Horse & Hound for running with
this. As a welfare issue I think
it’s really important — anything
to make horses’ lives more
comfortable.
“We are weeks away from
sending the petition to the FEI.”
BHS BACKING
BHS director of education Alex
Copeland said the charity is “fully
behind the campaign”.
“We’re working with Pammy,
Heather and Tim [Downes] to
promote what they’re doing,” he
told H&H. “The right people
are talking, like Christoph Hess.
We’ve updated our education and
training and made sure we are
recommending best practice, and
hope the FEI follows.”
The BHS has offered
the campaigners stands at
its coaching conventions at
‘Anything to make horses’ lives more comfortable’
PAMMY HUTTON
Hartpury (26-28 March) and
Myerscough (16-18 April).
“It is a chance for us to show
best practice around coaching,
but also to make sure people are
aware of the big issues,” added
Mr Copeland.
Trainer and BHS Fellow Mr
Downes, who has been assisting
the campaign, told H&H it is
important not to point fingers
at individual riders. He said
positively influencing top-level
riders would feed down correct
training methods to the less
experienced.
“If we want to improve the
image of the sport and keep it
in the Olympics we shouldn’t be
pointing out its shortcomings
— none of that is good for its
image,” he said.
“We need to educate people
better — some are only looking
at the horse’s head and neck and
they don’t have the education and
understanding [to see the whole
picture].
“The education of these people
is just as important [as those that
are riding incorrectly].”
British Dressage (BD)
reiterated its statement provided
to H&H after a letter written by
BHS Fellows about rollkur (news,
28 December).
“Dressage is all about the
harmony that can be achieved
between horse and rider,” said BD
chief executive Jason Brautigam.
“Hyperflexion has no place in our
sport. We are proud to be at the
forefront of developing sensitive
training methods in the UK and
will continue to promote a more
considerate approach to riding.”
A spokesman for the FEI
told H&H it is in “constant
consultation” with the equestrian
community and “respects all
views on the sport”.
She added that the federation
will “carefully consider” any
approaches on the subject.
● To read the "time to act" letter,
visit tinyurl.com/y9fp4e2z
and to sign the petition,
visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/
RLNGCQV
Pictures by Lucy Merrell, Sportsfile, PA Archive/PA Images and trevor-meeks-photography.co.uk
4 Horse & Hound 8 February 2018