‘Lack of clear tips is unfair to stewards’

Pammy Hutton FBHS shares her ideas on the rule vacuum that’s leaving dressage stewards uncovered…

With equine welfare within the highlight, by no means have stewards had a lot accountability bearing down on their shoulders.

But unbelievably, simply when consistency of governance is vital to sustaining dressage’s good identify, these pillars of authority have few formal written tips to work to.

Sure, the FEI – and by extension, British Dressage (BD) – stewards’ “Bible” is presently in disarray. The outdated FEI stewards’ manuals have been taken offline in January after being deemed outdated. It was changed with an internet hub that lacks the technical depth and goal element wanted to assist choices in relation to eliminations.

Questioning how stewards can probably make judgment calls with no clear tips, I made a decision to assessment what’s accessible as we await updates.

In present stewards’ tips, for instance, there’s no definitive description of hyperflexion. There’s additionally no restrict on the variety of minutes a horse may be labored in somewhat spherical. The one restricted tips that do exist allow lengthy, deep and spherical driving “until used excessively or extended”.

FEI article 438 on this subject refers to horse welfare, however with no time scales.

Within the authentic 2012 BD rule e book, there may be point out of 10 minutes, however nothing to say you possibly can’t take a break and repeat.

Guidelines about noseband tightness additionally want definition. Nosebands are already being made with a niche on the entrance. And there’s a query about whether or not the measuring gadget won’t work with some grackles if the crossover on the entrance is designed to remain tight even when the again strap is loosened.

And there stays no clear obligation to make use of the gadget to test each horse’s noseband. The most recent FEI protocol permits for elimination if a horse fails the gadget test, however neither the FEI nor BD has an specific rule requiring elimination based mostly solely on a handbook test. As a substitute, they depend on common horse welfare provisions, which may set a better bar.

And that’s just some examples of what stewards face with no definitive rule e book to information them. But folks nonetheless have large expectations of them by way of policing and transparency.

Stewards are heroic

On a human degree, it’s unfair to our stewards – these heroic individuals who stand within the sunshine and rain, making tough choices to maintain the present on the highway.

The larger concern is that we don’t have sufficient stewards to police each warm-up at each competitors. Plus, we don’t have sufficient judges courageous sufficient to name out dangerous driving in a check.

If the prevailing judging tips have been enforced extra clearly, stewards won’t be underneath a lot strain. That stated, a little bit of widespread sense from an skilled steward nonetheless goes a great distance.

Have we created an aura of perfection round dressage the place nobody well-known can have a foul day? In showjumping or eventing, our idols usually find yourself with their faces within the filth, however dressage may be seen as protecting of its stars.

If top-level riders have been routinely marked down and even rung out in the event that they have been having a foul day, then the game must come to phrases with the truth that even our greatest combos aren’t good, God-like beings.

There would even be extra understanding that when horses have a foul day, it doesn’t essentially imply they’re in ache. Maybe the hot button is to make dressage a extra objectively judged sport. However to try this, we’d like up-to-date, sturdy tips for these overseeing it.

My ideas on resistance bands

Resistance bands for riders have change into a little bit of a factor. Do I like them? No! Are they protected to make use of whereas on a horse? Not at all times.

Some firms are actually promoting these and providing accreditation to suit them on different riders, in only a matter of days. That may’t be proper…

No horse or human physique is born utterly symmetrical. We have to work sympathetically with what we’ve received. And why prolong your legs by driving with out stirrups, solely to place bands on and compress the muscle groups once more? Resistance bands could be trendy, however they’re not for me.

● What adjustments would allow stewards to do their job even higher? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and county, for the prospect to your letter to seem in a forthcoming concern of the journal

You may also be concerned about: