Friday September 29, 2006

A Sunny Start of 2006 Dressage at Devon

Good Action at the Vet Inspection

All horses entered for the CDI competition passed, though several riders had to run their horses a few times. The jog is always an interesting event to watch horses being handled. Some of the horses bottle up all their energy which they then release in an explosion during their two minutes in the trot-up. Horses had to be re-run because of occasional bucks, rears and leaps, or them not running in a straight line. What is also on the daily jog-menu is the funny sight of a rider who never seems to have practised running their horse in-hand. You get to see the rider with the reins stretched while a lazy looking horse is dragged behind. Cartoon images then pop into your mind of a desperate rider pulling his mule forward (maybe that is just in my crazy mind).

Another interesting fact that took place at this year's vet inspection is the measurement of a pony which participates in the FEI pony classes. Though the FEI pony dressage sport is gigantic in Europe, it is just taking baby steps in North America. Nevertheless, measuring ponies before competition is hardly done in Europe as a pony gets measured once and his height then put in the FEI passport as definite. Much fraud and deception takes place in Europe where ponies up to 15.3 hands high are allowed in the sport and the FEI is taking no steps to counter-"measure" that! This year's 2006 European Pony Champion in show jumping measured 158 centimeters! In the United States measuring ponies is done far more regularly and strictly. "We are far ahead on Europe on that part because of the pony hunter circuit where size really matters," judge Elizabeth Williams said. The pony measured on the scene at Devon proved to be a horse, by the way.

Dressage at Devon 2006 was officially ready to start.

Text by Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
Photos by Astrid Appels and Mary Phelps-Hathaway / Phelpsphotos.com

Complete Coverage of 2006 Dressage at Devon at Horsesdaily.com