Four more horses die in the name of ‘sport’

I wouldn't disagree with you foxie. Your last paragraph says just what dressage is really about. But top level dressage has gone through a horrible phase in the last few decades..

There was a lot of controversy about Totilas and the Rollkur way of training wasn’t there ( not that I understand it). But I remember a friend of mine who wasn’t interested in horses phoning me up and raving about a dressage horse she’d seen on tv. I don’t think Charlotte did anything much wrong; I’m convinced somebody was out to remove her from the competition. She wouldn’t have the sort of rapport she has with horses if she doesn’t care about them and it wasn’t fair on the horse missing out on more Olympic glory.

Yes, MayBee70 there is a lot more to the CDJ story and having watched that video a number of times I didn't see the lunge whip actually touched the horse at any time, the horse was wearing boots, it would have made a noise but not inflicted any pain. tbh the horse was completely unreactive to the whip which is a sure sign of previous incorrect use. Not a nice video to watch but CJD didn't create that situation, she hadn't worked with the horse before and she had been asked to try to solve a problem created because of previous poor training. The video was taken a long time before it was released to the public just before the Olympics by someone associated with a different country's team. All a bit of a coincidence. I have no doubt team GB would have won a gold individual medal and probably a Gold team instead of bronze if she had been on the team. However, it was wonderful for Becky Moody to be in the team and she rose to the occasion brilliantly, she's an absolute pleasure to watch.

Quote foxie:

"Riding horses, particularly competition horses is not for the faint hearted, they are capable of killing you, they are powerful animals with a mind of their own and they are unpredictable. ------------"
"Basic dressage is the foundation of good riding and done properly as basic schooling builds the correct musculature that will protect a ridden equine, it also give riders the skills to keep themselves and the horse safe and IMO helps to build the relationship between horse and rider."

I understand and agree with the above. I had believed that all dressage riders fitted foxie's description. as in the quite above, Now I see that . Now I see that the iron fist of competition in all areas can and does destroy what can be the best of horsemanship

PS Foxie's second paragraph as quoted also serves as a metaphor for the role of competitiveness in governance of societies . Both human societies and horsemanship need cooperation not competition.

"Riding horses, particularly competition horses is not for the faint ger than a human hearted, they are capable of killing you, they are powerful animals with a mind of their own and they are unpredictable. --------"

TBH, any equine, right down to Shetland pony size is far stronger than a human and can do serious damage if handled wrongly or has been abused. Fortunately a well handled and properly treated equine is a gentle, obliging and friendly creature. Any hurt it might cause is more due to the person handling it not being in tune with equine behaviour.

There is a garden centre near me that has two Shetland ponies. They are totally placid and seem more interested in grass and hay than humans.
OTOH I wouldn't chance going in a field with a full size stallion, as they can be very unpredictable and dangerous.

I’d be more wary of the Shetlands. Fiesty little creatures. We went to a shire horse centre years ago and were allowed to go into the field with them. But were warned to keep clear of the shetlands.