| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bensulaman |
Posted - 18 Dec 2009 : 8:49:13 PM
on eurosport sky in about ten Min's. After the dog agility. |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Sadika |
Posted - 22 Dec 2009 : 07:48:44 AM
There is a thread I started about his world record performance - what's that about his training methods??? |
| jaybird |
Posted - 22 Dec 2009 : 07:11:58 AM
Hi all
Did anyone see Edward Gal? was that a mind blowing performance given his training methods
Beryl |
| sazzlepants71 |
Posted - 21 Dec 2009 : 12:12:49 PM
hi I was at Olympia on friday night..it was a fantastic performance I had great seats so the Puissance was the highlight of the evening..
I have to say that all the riders are fantastic  I take my hat off to them- they are unbelievably careful not only in this class but in the previous classes - these horses are so atheletic and fit - they prepare and train these horses which I am sure you all know for many years for them to jump like this.
Ellen is a brilliant rider , up close and personal Ladina B is quirky beyond words!!!! but she sits so quietly and just lets her get on with it very inspiring! I came away wanting to jump for sure!
I enjoyed the whole show very much and definately found time for some retail therapy! |
| Montikka |
Posted - 21 Dec 2009 : 08:37:42 AM
Templars...whilst I agree with much of what you say, the difference between a human athlete and an animal is that humans can make an informed choice. I have no problem with using horses in sport and have done so myself in my 36 years of owning/working with horses. Furthermore I have been an avid admirer of your own daughter Evie (particularly with Taragun) over the months.
I was replying to Dot's rude post to me that implied that horses must enjoy their work or they wouldn't do it. I believe this is a misunderstanding of a horses' psyche.
For instance: did horses in battle ENJOY charging into a barrage of swords and bayonets where they could sustain horrendous injury or death? No.
My point is this: Horses can be trained (or conditioned) to obey the human. They have a better time of it if they do as we ask. This is the basis of their cooperation. It is our responsibility as 'the brains' in the partnership not to exploit this willingness by ever pushing the animal into more extreme situations.
And your point that it's the psyche of the horse that matters is very true - I believe a bond with one's horse is paramount, that way a caring rider can guide them away from danger (or persuade them that something isn't dangerous).
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| templars |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 10:21:11 PM
The Puissance is one event that I really enjoy and I would love to breed a Puissance horse.
I know it can look frightening and I used to be scared of the wear and tear on legs and tendons.
But then we started eventing and I learned so much.
No human long jump, high jump or triple jump person would ever be able to compete without the proper training and fitness. Yes, it does take its toll but so does every aspect of normal horse life.
With the proper training and preparation, this event is no more scary or trying than any other performance discipline.
I watch athletics and from the comfort of my arm chair, I think "heavens, I could never do that - I could never shift my bulk around a race track." And I watch the horrendous slow motion action as they cross the finish line and I think, "that must be painful."
And then I wander out to our stables, and I look at Mr Feathers, our Advanced, 19 year old TB eventer who was written off earlier this year with a tendon injury. And I think of the vet visting last week and her comments about how she is amazed at his recovery and how he will be able to compete again in 2010.
And it makes me realise, that atheletes are athletes and they pine without doing what makes them feel whole.
What I think from the comfort of my settee doesn't really matter. It's what's in the psyche of the animal competing that matters.
Some of mine wouldn't jump a 3' solid wall. Others would jump a 7' wall if Evie had the guts to do it.
Many forms of equestrian sport (including inhand) may be classified as "cruel" because it's not what the horse does naturally. But you try and get a horse to jump a solid barrier - it won't if it isn't prepared and fit and it it hasn't got a special bond with its rider. The legs of a Puissance horse are no more at risk than any other performance horse. To put it at its most crude - they are like Betty Grable, their legs are their fortune. No caring (or avaricious) rider would risk the very things that make the horse what it is - a gutsy, trusting partner. |
| jaj |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 9:53:40 PM
Have to say that sadly I agree with you Montikka.
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| Montikka |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 8:59:23 PM
Planet Earth Dot...and as we all well know human beings are capable of making half a ton of animal do things they don't wish to do all the time. Jesus!! Do you think race horses want to gallop themselves to exhaustion in the Grand National? Do you think Dressage horses enjoy Rollkur? Did Pit Ponies love it down the mines? Do the donkeys carrying tons of bricks until they break enjoy it. How about when mares are hobbled and twitched for covering?
Do you think horses would merrily jump 7 1/2 foot walls for fun?? Incredible.
What about bears 'dancing'?
Of course we can get them to do things they don't want to do (unfortunatey). It has nothing to do with the fact that they weigh half a ton - we can use our superior intelligence.
Oh and the last time I got half a ton of horse (well probably more of a third of a ton) to do something it didn't want to do was when I got a seriously unhappy loader into a trailer.
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| rosie |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 8:56:14 PM
Ellen rode superbly but I love the way that all the 'Whittaker's' ride. Amazing seats. |
| jaj |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 8:48:23 PM
They might not mind doing it but it can't be doing their legs any good long term  .
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| Dot |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 09:22:44 AM
What planet are you living on Montika, when was the last time you tried to make a half ton animal do something it did not want to do ?
Dot |
| Montikka |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 09:06:16 AM
I watched yesterday and couldn't help feeling uncomfortable; it was exciting but (jmho) I feel rather cruel |
| Sadika |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 07:45:50 AM
Ellen was superb the way she handled Ladina - the commentator said the mare should have been called Ladette!! She stood like a donkey in the collecting ring whilst being re-shod, then jumped a couple of practice fences beautifully and sensibly but once she entered the ring she was on fire!!! Ellen did so well - didn't even loose a stirrup. Fancy facing a 7 foot wall on a mare like her - that's BRAVE!!!! Shame she too knocked it like all the others - think it was a 5 or 6 horse tie for first. |
| trinity |
Posted - 18 Dec 2009 : 10:25:06 PM
It was exciting. Oh to have a seat like Ellen Whittaker. Ladina B certainly makes her work for it. Lovely mare though. |
