Dressage, a quintessential equestrian sport, is both admired for its timeless elegance and critiqued for perceived stagnation. A recent outcry for its renascence is causing waves within the equestrian community — that of esteemed judge and veterinarian, Hans-Christian Matthiesen. Our journey here is to shed light on Matthiesen’s vision for dressage and delve into the potential changes that could invigorate this noble sport without compromising its tradition.
A Futuristic Outlook on Judges' Guidelines
In Matthiesen's opinion, the current scoring system could cushion more flexibility, without losing its formal roots. His prime suggestion to revamp dressage involves updating the guidelines bestowed upon the sport’s judges. As per his argument, the rigid adherence to rules inadvertently cankers the sport's evolution. Instead, Matthiesen advocates for a more malleable scoring approach — one that leaves room for creativity yet sticks to the core essence of dressage.
Rethinking Equipment Mandates
Addressing the age-old debate on compulsory equipment in dressage, Matthiesen questions the status quo. While no one disputes the import of adequate gear for the safety of horse and rider, he questions the necessity of making certain articles—such as double bridles and spurs—mandatory. Introducing an optional equipment regime, Matthiesen believes, could offer the crucial freedom needed to choose what works best for individual horse-rider duos.
Integrating Warm-up Phase into Total Score
Matthiesen introduces another fresh perspective: the inclusion of the warm-up phase in the total score. He posits that the pre-competition preparation phase often demonstrates a deeper level of partnership between horse and rider that deserves due recognition. A shift of emphasis from sheer competition performance to overall horse-rider partnership would drive a more holistic evaluation.
Expanding Competition Formats
The advocated changes extend to the structure of dressage contests as well. Matthiesen suggests enriching the competition spectrum with formats that include in-hand work—practices executed by the handler on foot rather than on horseback. Such a move would expand the platform for riders to flaunt their rapport with their horses, enhancing overall viewer engagement.
Despite his progression-fueled vision, Matthiesen acknowledges a deep-rooted resistance to change within the dressage community—his major concern being the protracted, winding process needed for the wide-scale acceptance and implementation of new ideas. However, he remains an optimist, hoping his call for change will ignite a transformative spark.
His ideas bring forth a treasure trove of research opportunities within the realm of dressage—ranging from the exploration of alternative competition formats to the dissection of the interplay between animal welfare considerations and dressage practices. Others could include the influence of public sentiment on dressage’s evolution, and a granular review of existing dressage rules and regulations at various levels.
Time to Embrace Change
In an ever-evolving world, the sport of dressage confronts an imperative need for reinvention. Hans-Christian Matthiesen's call for change underscores the urgency of adopting a contemporary guise to continue the sport’s tryst with excellence. Curbing resistive rigidity and rejoicing in the dance of transformation could be the elixir that breathes new life into the dressage of tomorrow.
References:
Matthiesen, H. (2023). Personal interview.