| Author | Message | ||
     Brian Cairns Member Username: Brianc Post Number: 31 Registered: 01-2008 |
On reflection and finaly i would like to thank everyone who has entered into this debate, at least it has brought the flawed system into the market place, but i will continue to fight for the natural progression and the welfare of the horse. The EACDG seem to be a forward thinking club and dont seem to be afraid of change, if only other clubs would use their system, the sport would move forward and their would be no more mushroom farming. | ||
| Ian Priestley Member Username: Ipriestley Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2008 |
Hi Brian, I have an interest in driven dressage, please contact me about future possibilities. Email Sandra.priestleyxxx@googlemail.com remove xxx. | ||
| Hamish Reid Member Username: Hamishreid Post Number: 13 Registered: 06-2009 |
Maybe because Bryan and I are such 'veterans' ourselves I find it very easy to agree with everything he says. We have competed against each other for more than 25 years but still love the sport and are able to enjoy one another's company when we meet at our 'equine caravan club' meets. (I really liked that analogy Bryan). Let's do what we can to keep the 'sport' in it and work together to make it welcoming and fun for all in 2015. There has been more than enough bickering. | ||
| Bryan Gauson Member Username: Stevenson Post Number: 30 Registered: 02-2008 |
Unfortunately our sport has a minority rating in the equine table, therefore I agree with Fiona and Jane that with only 160 to 170 active members who participate in National Competitions we must select the route best suited to each individual and their abilities and should I say it our ages. Mr. Cairns has many valid points if we had large numbers of entries but unfortunately this is not the case at present. Members must feel comfortable with their equine partner and set goals they wish to achieve but also enjoy their hobby. Its like being a member of the caravan club but bringing your horse and perhaps other pets to a weekend away at very reasonable rates to some of the most breathtaking venues across the U.K. Therefore we cannot place the blame on a group of volunteers who give up their time to make this sport happen at all levels.Unfortunately sponsorships are few and far between these days and unless Carriage Driving is linked to other events and activities we will continue to struggle, Lowther Game Fair proved that point in the last two years. The first time I have competed in front of a crowd what a dream for a veteran. As the old proverb says whip for the horse bridle for the donkey and rod for our own backs if we spoil the efforts done in our the best interest for free. Lets all move forward in 2015 think carefully before we speak (two ears one mouth) less we damage what we are blessed with at present. HAPPY NEW YEAR | ||
| Jane Wilson Member Username: Janewil Post Number: 65 Registered: 06-2007 |
If eventing and dressage were as small a group as we are, then perhaps they would have to change to be like us! The fact is, they're not so you simply can't compare our sport/drivers/horses to theirs. Both BE and BD number their competitors in the thousands and on any given weekend you can have the choice of numerous events to go to the length and breadth of the country, as opposed to comparatively few each year in driving, shared out between club and National. There is no elegant solution which will keep everyone happy and the playing field level, no matter which way you come at it. So, as Fiona says, it becomes the responsibility of each driver to educate their novice horse accordingly. Your membership and entry fees give you access to the same facilities in a competition setting even if you are HC. You still get a dressage sheet with judge's comments on it and you can still compare your horse's progress with those further on in their training. You can be the judge of when it's right to ask for more, push on faster etc, etc. Stewards will still be happy to stand out all day in all weathers for your benefit, HC or not. | ||
| Brian Cairns Member Username: Brianc Post Number: 30 Registered: 01-2008 |
Sorry Fiona i don't agree,I have seen Oliver Townsend beaten in a lower class, and also Charlotte Dujardin These lower class riders were not intimidated, because it is the ability of the horse that is paramount. Perhaps other equestrian disciplines are wrong and need to change and follow British Carriage Driving do you think? | ||
| Fiona Powell Member Username: Fionap Post Number: 338 Registered: 03-2007 |
Many moons ago I remember competing as a novice with an open driver in the same class who was hors concours and driving a youngster. She had the best score and by mistake was awarded first prize, it was announced in Carriage Horse and I was, at the time, rather put out, it being my first win away from home. So I understand about novices enjoying competing in their own class - and being beaten by an open driver, even hc, knocked the gilt off the gingerbread for me. In the EACDG we have had a policy of wanting everyone to compete (not hc) and allowed open single drivers to select from a list of tests - to suit those open club-level drivers doing novice qualifiers, intermediate and advanced at national level and plain vanilla club - 1a. Our open single classes are often in double figures and it's been our belief that this encourages healthy competition and also attracts top level drivers with their younger or inexperienced horses. It encourages club drivers, too, because they can compare themselves with national competitors and might plan to try a novice qualifier if they were not previously on that track. I believe that novice drivers need nurturing and that is best done in their own class - without open drivers. If I were driving an inexperienced horse, I'd drive within my horse's capability in the open class - substituting a slower trot for collection and attempting lengthened strides for extension, perhaps sacrificing any one-handed manoeuvres, and going steadily in the cones and obstacles to build up our experience gradually. (Sorry, Brian...) | ||
| Brian Cairns Member Username: Brianc Post Number: 28 Registered: 01-2008 |
Advanced movements are beyond novice horses, and should not be in the test,and no one would buy a Ferrari after just passing their test as they would be asking for trouble too. | ||
| Maxine Ingham Member Username: Harvey Post Number: 52 Registered: 06-2008 |
I started out in this sport in the way in which I was advised at the time was the safest, and I still think is the safest. I bought an open pony that knew his job and learnt that way. I had no trouble at all handling him and having " pottered" around for a few years with my novice pony and then started club events I realised that I wasn't that safe and the safest way to compete would be with an open pony that knew his job. It is such a huge learning curve when you first start competing that to do so, as a novice with a novice animal is surely asking for trouble. After all a novice pony in these terms is one that hasn't competed/won etc but may well have pottered for a few years.. I think that an open driver with a novice horse would be at an advantage compared to a novice with an open horse, we've had our time winning novice classes when we were novices, let the true novices win in their own right.Take the time to bring your own horse on slowly within his capabilities, no one is rushing you through the levels, it's not all about rosettes. Not every driver is trying to get their horse to advanced level as quickly as possible. | ||
| Brian Cairns Member Username: Brianc Post Number: 27 Registered: 01-2008 |
A newcomer to driving trials who does not have the knowledge to correctly train a young horse should seek expert advice firstly, and then get a quiet driving horse and potter around for a couple of years until the young horse is ready and the driver has gained a bit of experience.A novice with no experience would be unlikely be able to handle a open horse There are no quick fixes.. | ||
| Kathleen Upsall Member Username: Katastrophy Post Number: 130 Registered: 10-2008 |
My worry is though, Brian, that people like me who wanted to start competing (as I did three years ago) and saw the safest way to do so was to buy an experienced horse (or pony, in my case) would at the other end of the scale be unable to compete as a Novice if the horse is seen as an 'open' horse. So if they introduce a 'points' system, that would push novice drivers to bring out a horse with no points- ie, most likely a novice horse, and it's generally agreed that novice & novice does not make for safe driving. So what's the right answer for that? | ||
| Brian Cairns Member Username: Brianc Post Number: 26 Registered: 01-2008 |
If you agree with these proposals please e mail British Carriage British carriage driving. In your positions within this sport you will know how important it is to bring horses along gradually and therfore as an open driver myself i am lobbying for changes. I truly believe an open driver should be allowed to drive his young horses in the novice class as is the case in all other equestrian disiplines as it is the ability of the horse that is paramount. whilst i appreciate i can, and do, compete HC with my young horses as i am very aware of the importance in taking my horse slowly but there are many drivers who do not have the knowledge and therefore the present system encourages Open drivers to compete their young horses in classes that are too advanced in content e.g. collected trot is too advanced for a young underdeveloped horse but the open driver can and will ask for this within the existing system. i do not believe our horses will come up to the standard of other countries until young horses are brought along slowly and trained correctly. I am asking that BC get involved at grass roots level to ensure newcomers to the sport are directed through good systems and coaching in the right direction with regards the natural progression of the horse; this will develop our drivers for the future as well I would also like to see club coaches take more of a proactive approach within their club especially with the newcomers of the sport encouraging and guiding them whilst providing the rationale, as noted above, for the slower progression of their horses; to benefit the welfare of the horse as well as improving their results in competitions. Can i then ask for the following proposals to be considered and if approved sent a a directive to all Clubs: 1 the new FEI 1b dressage test be used for novice horses replacing the existing ones - no advanced movements in this new test 2 Open drivers to be able to drive compete in appropriate class not, having to go HC Regards Brian Cairns |