The Buzz Of Dressage Competition--At Both Ends Of The Spectrum

by Scott Hassler

As we enter the New Year and I reflect on our sport of dressage, in many ways I find myself feeling inspired. I get so excited over the accomplishments and success of our nation, from the young horse classes all the way through to Grand Prix.

We can still remember the excitement of last April's FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas, and we're experiencing an incredible growth and excitement over the young horse classes. The U.S. Equestrian Federation is now introducing a national 4-year-old championship to go along with the 5- and 6-year olds. This shows the enthusiasm and support for the young horse classes, how it's moving in a positive direction.

At Grand Prix, we remember the excitement from Las Vegas, the bronze medals from our last Olympic appearance, and we find ourselves hoping to repeat the silver medal we won at the 2002 World Equestrian Games this summer in Aachen, Germany. And we can even hope to soon capture a medal at the World Champion-ships for Young Horses, having come so close in the recent past.

The other side of the buzz is the conflict that's going on right now within our sport. While the young horse competition is gaining so much awareness, it has its own negative buzz. People are saying things like, "The young horse classes are too difficult for the young horses," and "We're not seeing the successful young horses reach Grand Prix." So some are questioning if we're rewarding the right individuals along the way. We also hear that the young horses are being ridden artificially, which is detrimental to their long-term well-being and their ability to be ridden to the FEI levels.

And right now, at the highest levels of the sport, we're faced with perhaps the most negative time the sport has ever seen, the controversy about tension and throughness and how the judges are penalizing and rewarding them, and the argument about training methods, which has increased the tension between riders from the world's most competitive nations as they debate which performances should be rewarded.

Through these times, I think it's really important that we all look at the role we play in this ever-so-small sport. We must continue to look at the bigger picture. We must not bash the sport. Instead, we must take our concerns to the appropriate places where they can be heard, rather than just trying to change the face of the sport in the public's eye.

The young horse classes are simply part of the sport, part of the equation. Just as Grand Prix has been here for decades, they'll be here for years upon years to come. When we have a country like Germany hosting their National Young Horse Championships (the Bundeschampionat) and drawing more than 20,000 spectators in the middle of the week, it's a pretty strong sign of how much the young horses can bring the public into our sport.

We have to accept that many (maybe even most) of the young horses are simply not going to go on to Grand Prix, although some will. The Grand Prix is a very difficult, elite part of our sport. It's not a surprise, after all, that not all Prix St. Georges horses (even not all Pan Am Games team horses) get to Grand Prix, and it's unrealistic to expect otherwise. Many get sold to amateur riders; some get retired for breeding; some have bad luck and get injured; and some just can't or won't do it. But some do; some are even more successful at Grand Prix than at the levels below it.

We are, in fact, seeing many of the finalists of the Young Horse Championships moving on to the FEI levels, even to Grand Prix. We currently find many horses showing at Grand Prix who've gone through the Young Horse Championships, and these numbers will only continue to grow over time.

Having enthusiastic, flamboyant, young horses show their expression draws people in, as the Bundeschampionat has shown over and over again. I encourage us all to be responsible as individuals while we embrace the possibilities of these programs, rather than being critical of them. Make constructive comments to improve the sport. When we have a program that can draw the public in with quality performances, why not embrace that instead of criticizing it?

Whenever I sit and watch a Grand Prix class, I can't help but think that not every horse is so beautifully presented that I'm drawn in to watching. But it's the great examples of each competition bracket--the average, the below average, and the shining stars--that draw the people in. We see this in every aspect of the sport.

At Grand Prix, with the disputes over training and styles of riding, our comments must be constructive, not directed at any one particular individual, nation or group. We must certainly discuss what we're concerned about to move the sport forward, but without personal attachments. And to do that it's so important that we understand our role as individuals in the sport.

This sport needs all the help it can get to increase public awareness. In the aftermath of the Las Vegas World Cup, this should be an exciting time. Let's all realize our role and the possibilities we can bring to the sport. Let's portray dressage to the public with enthusiasm. Let's work to have our own National Young Horse Championships draw in thousands of people. Let's keep the momentum at the Grand Prix level. Let's bring forth the most beautiful representation of the sport possible: well-trained, elegant horses--at all levels--who are happy and perform in harmony with their riders.

That's when dressage is beautiful, when it's fun to be a part of something awesome. Let's move forward with a positive spirit and hope to bring home a gold medal at the World Equestrian Games--either this year or on our home turf in Lexington, Ky., in 2010.

Scott Hassler