WEF Update: Week 5

Jill Irving in the jog with Degas 12.

Another wash out! This week the downpour only delayed the FEI dressage jog for a half hour. Dozens of spectators waited in anticipation to view the impressive dressage horses up close during the jog while enjoying wine and appetizers put out by some of the vendors. The skies opened up after only a handful of the total of 58 horses had been inspected. Canada was well represented with 19 candidates – Brittany Fraser and “All In” were lucky to complete their jog just before the rain. The vendors’ tents and trailers filled quickly with instant customers. The storm passed, the jog continued and within an hour people were riding in the rings, which dried quickly because of the excellent footing.

Canadian Tiffany Foster’s horse ,Victor, is living up to his name. They have had a phenomenal circuit so far with a win in the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup of week 3, a first place finish shared with Ben Maher in the WEFChallenge Cup Round 5 on Thursday and an exhilarating victory over the #1 world ranked rider Scott Brash in Sunday’s 1.50m Champioship Jumper Classic!

Zion, Champion of the Thoroughbred hunter division, with owner Noelle Rauscher.

The Thoroughbreds may be starting to re-establish themselves in the hunter and jumper world. WEF , and many other shows, now offers a Thoroughbred jumper and hunter division. Although the entry numbers are small, the groups are enthusiastic. The champion of the hunter division on Thursday was Zion, a 6 yr. old, purchased last year by Noelle and Bettina Rauscher two days after racing his last race. He was as quiet and well behaved then as he was on Thursday, seemingly unconcerned about all the horse show activity around him. His trips over fences were impressive – very even, balanced and showing great jumping style. The Rauschers own a farm where they rehabilitate Thoroughbreds from the track. Bettina has had experience as a trainer on the track and maintains that these horses are usually impressive in their new careers when given a job to do.

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Thursday’s Lunch and Learn topic was Training by Temperament by Mary Ann Simonds, an Applied Equine Behavioral Specialist. Mary Ann has been teaching for 40 years in the U.S. and spending time in Germany as well, where she has worked with dressage and jumper horses. Having established a reputation in Germany, she has two books published in German only, about her techniques with difficult, tense horses, even though she does not speak the language. She spoke about horses being social mammals, just like people. Two essential elements to social creatures are friendship and social bonds. You are your horse’s best friend – if your horse feels safe – if you become his safe space – he doesn’t have to flee. Motivation for the horse is not food but safety and comfort. Motivation to learn for horses involves curiosity and social interaction. Mary Ann believes horses should be allowed to sniff and greet each other, as they are exchanging information. Eye contact with your horse is important – a horse talks with his eyes. People miss noticing subtle movements ( ear flickers,etc.)that could give us much more insight into our horses’ behaviour.

Friday night brought the excitement of the $80,000 FEI Grand Prix 4* Freestyle, won by Lars Petersen on Marietta. Canada’s Jacquie Brooks debuted her new program with stunning, very moving music which included ” I Had a Dream” from ” Les Miserables.”

The riders, trainers and judges attending the Katrina Wuest clinic.

Dressage was in the air in more than one location on Sunday. Cara Witham, as the regional representative of the International Dressage Officials Club, North American chapter, organized a Freestyle clinic held at the Wanderers’ Club on Aero Club Drive. Katrina Wuest, a highly regarded FEI 5* dressage judge from Germany and one of only six FEI approved course directors in the world conducted the clinic. She is in the process of developing a program for the Freestyle that could assist riders and judges to better determine the Degree of Difficulty decisions, which are currently challenging to both the groups. Katrina discussed both the technical and artistic sides, with criteria for judging rhythm, harmony, choreography, degree of difficulty and music.

A difficulty in judging Freestyle is not knowing the precise location where each movement will begin and end, as in regular tests. In the future, Katrina hopes to have each competitor submit their program to the judges in advance via the computer.

At the present time riders, trainers and judges have no guidelines as to what should be regarded as difficult in a Freestyle and Katrina is developing a general idea about how to assess this. At the conclusion of the first half of the program she summarized: “Harmony is the key to everything. That’s why it is important for the rider to choose a freestyle he and his horse can manage.”

Week 6 starts with a Tommy Serio clinic with young hunters on Tuesday. Show Chic Dressage’s monthly wine, cheese and lecture will feature Lendon Gray, on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Thursday’s Lunch and Learn topic is ” a practical approach to parasite control and deworming for horses.”

The WEF show had record entries this week – 116 in one Grand Prix class! Hunter Spectacular week is in full swing starting Wednesday, with the big class under the lights on Saturday. The dressage grounds are also filled with excited, happy riders, family members and spectators – and many Canadians among them!