British dressage legend Carl Hester shares his ideas on the winter championships and the ability of phrases…
Like many individuals these days, I get pleasure from having the ability to watch competitions on-line once I’m not using or instructing. I had a number of pupils competing on the latest NAF 5 Star Winter Dressage Championships, and it was an actual luxurious to sit down down and observe their performances remotely.
I’m not going to call names – there are too many to say – however I’ve to say how genuinely spectacular the following era of riders is wanting. So many thrilling mixtures got here to the fore, and with champions topped throughout the board, the way forward for British dressage appears vibrant.
I’m sufficiently old to recollect when elementary was the highest degree on the winters – and but this 12 months, we noticed younger riders holding their very own proper as much as inter I.
There appears to be a pattern in the direction of decrease scores in the meanwhile, however like most issues in life, issues change finally when change is required. I can keep in mind when getting a 70% rating was thought to be hitting the jackpot – and it’s nonetheless actually not a shameful mark in any respect. A seven is “pretty good” by definition. Riders should adapt and develop with the game.
Perspective
I really feel extremely fortunate to get up every day grateful for the individuals, horses and experiences in my life. Materials issues might be earned with arduous work, however well being, happiness and perspective are by no means assured.
The essential factor is to maintain a constructive perspective. It’s important to have the ability to be taught to deal with stuff because it comes up, as a result of no doubt, it’ll. The information is a miserable watch today, with a lot battle on the earth.
In fact, it’s regarding, however I nonetheless maintain out hope for progress, for motive and for concord, each globally and inside our personal sport.
I gained’t wade into politics, however I discover it fascinating that individuals who align on big-picture world points can nonetheless strongly disagree relating to dressage.
As my good friend, six-time US Olympian Robert Dover, wrote just lately: “Phrases are so highly effective, and people like ‘progressive’, ‘liberal’, ‘conservative’, ‘proper’, and ‘welfare’ are used to assault individuals each single day. These phrases and others like them, when appeared up within the dictionary, don’t have anything to do with how they’re perverted by individuals to vilify those that differ from them.”
I’m with Robert in hoping that as a substitute of the “us or them” perspective that’s so pervasive in our sport and the broader world today, we must always maintain searching for the positives in each.
As Robert says, “For those who look, with open arms, you will notice there are far more causes to embrace concepts that deliver us collectively than people who cut up us aside.”
I’d add: look with open eyes, too. We don’t all should agree, however we will select to be sort, respectful and curious.
Take a look at horses in a subject – they’re totally different personalities, however most of the time, they be taught to get alongside.
Let’s additionally not neglect how far we’ve are available prioritising each horse and rider wellbeing, bodily and psychological.
The solar is shining. Spring has sprung. Let’s get pleasure from our horses, help our individuals, and keep centered on the great.
● Have you ever skilled division or a disagreement within the equestrian world, and the way do you keep constructive? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and county, for the possibility on your letter to seem in a forthcoming problem of the journal
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