I find it so inspiring to see so much "forwardness" in all the paces. Refreshing when compared with the modern day exaggerated paces which so compromise the relaxation and forward motion we see here. RK is a genius!
This horse is so relaxed and perfect.... nowadays the GP horses we see at World Cups or Olympics are tense, drooling heavily, the movements irregular and nervous.... stiff, fabricated horses.... this is natural riding.... too bad that pig Sjef Janssen and his horrible wife bullied their way into the FEI, and now even the Federation accepts that horrible rollkur and those "quick fix" methods of training...
Oh, wonderful! FINALLY after I've watched dozens of videos here ONE rider whose horse just moves as relaxed as it should be!! Not comparable with what you see today! Thank you for this great video!
@cmchop OMG. was it that long? I feel so old. It was wonderful, I remember it still. Don't know anyone has the you know whats to critiscize a masterful ride. ;/
the thing that gets me the most about ahleric is that he's so LIGHT off the ground & in the bridle! he doesn't look like he's sucking down onto rk's hands at ALL - compare to salinero et al. his gaits rise very easily and freely off the ground - it's not an effort to lift his legs and move around.
It's hilarious how stuck in the past people are. Sure this looks more effortless than modern dressage, the horses aren't doing as much. People wonder why modern horses are rounder? Why gates are "freakishly large". It's because the sport has advanced.
Look at human athletes, do they look like ordinary humans? No. Does an Olympic gymnast's movements look like a normal person's? No. Our understanding of equine biomechanics has evolved, modern horses work through their bodies much more fully.
I'm all for advancement of the sport, but I can't get behind progress achieved through cruelty. I think what people miss about dressage of the past is the pursuit of lightness and harmony, because isn't that what dressage is suppose to be about?
And I was there! Woohoo! Sitting high up in the bleachers opposite the grandstands. Unforgettable. One thing that I clearly remember, but which isn't able to be heard on this video was the great, audible gasp of horror when Ahlerlich sort of stalled in that piaffe. It was horribly, stinking hot that day. I can imagine that a horse coming from Germany would have found the temperature a shock and a burden. But it was the reason I had tickets- someone who hated heat gave them to me.
I hope that one day we will see horses so relaxed, so natural and so well trained at dressage arenas again.. what went wrong????? Klimke wouldn´t succeed with this performace today at all. I cant even go to dressage competitions nowadays because it makes me so sick and sad to see how dressage which is supposed to be like a dance has changed into fight and drill... :o((((( K.
The relaxation and communication -- still beautiful after all these years! I was there, fortunately, one of about 1/3 dressage enthusiasts in the audience among 2/3 people who knew nothing but wanted to see the Olympics. When Klimke won, he got a standing ovation and there were tears all around. Even those who didn't know what they were seeing, knew what they saw: brilliance, beauty and Art. I hate to say it, but few of today's "top" riders hold a candle to this great German rider and horse!
most of the program is picture perfect, but the piaff work is almost shamefull. the rider is moving more than the horse, and there is no lift in the hindlegs.
but i would rather watch dr. klimpkes artistic masterpiece, then ankys circus show.
Natulicel, SO true, show us ONE now rider who gives and retakes the reins like Reiner Klimke does !!! Dressage how it should be - thanks Dr Klimke!!!
To become a judge of this level you have to have some pretty high credentials, even at the lower levels it's not just sit in class and pass a test. It's very difficult, I think it is sad that the horses in false carriage are marked well over horses that are correct but there ARE correct horses and riders ou there that are competeing and winning. You just can't find them really on youtube.
A nice think to note is Klimke's hands are always in a foreward motion, riding Ahlerich up into his hands
And then he walks off on a loose rein... compare to Anky being bucked off and once not even being able to get her horse to enter the ring when it was a little bit windy!
I grew up watching this and aspiring to do this, once got to take a clinic with Dr. Klimke, and today's riders just make my heart hurt.
Can't even watch modern dressage, it makes me so uncomfortable for the horses, but I can watch this all day! Such joy and pride in Ahlerich's movement! Gorgeous!
Everything said about the incomparable Dr. Klimke and the equally fabulous Ahlerich is said.
One other point: Dressage as a sport is rooted in the cavalry tradition, and doesn't Ahlerich actually look like a horse you could take on a battlefield and maneuver through just about ANYTHING??
R. Klimke, will always rightly be known as "The Grand Master of Dressage". Scoring was far different, & more stringent - this is a test from over 17 years ago - yet it is more "correct" than 2010. Ahlerich was famed for being "scared" - yet he moves to the boards - NOTE - no "hyperflexion" or "rollkur" - in free walk - horse simply free walks...
True parallelism in the extended trot, nose in front of the vertical, awesome power from hindquarters throughout - everything done with relaxed, floppy ears. Its a shame that the highest score earned in dressage showed so many faults. It shows our priorities in the sport today - sacrifice the well-being of the horse & correctness in classical training for flashyness - the worst part is that the judges involved rewarded it so highly. I'm so glad to see so many people posting similar comments!
@nakicpetrina , at the end of the Klimke and Ahlerich 1984 Olympic Victory Lap video (which is another one I posted), the scores are listed. They are numerical scores not percent scores. In 1984 they did not use percent scores.
Dieser Sieg ist verdient dieser schritt war bombe !!! Ich trainiere mit meiner reitlehrerin im moment solch einen schritt hinzubekommen bis jetz geht es durch die tat eines reiter und eines pferdes werden vllt viele einmal so anständig reiten!!
just look at those HAPPY EARS. there is something about this horse, perhaps it is his 'look of eagles', but you can just tell he is in it, like he knows he is working and he loves it, he wants to win, he WANTS to do dressage. how many horses do you see that are like that anymore, i mean sure their attentive, but their not IN IT.
Vielen Dank fürs Posten: Unsere Sehgewohnheiten sind so verdorben durch das, was im heutigen Dressursport zu sehen ist. Wir müssen uns solche Ritte immer wieder ansehen um wieder einen Maßstab zu bekommen, ein Vorbild, einen Blick dafür, was richtig ist!!!
Sadly, this ride would probably not win today at this level. It's not FLASHY enough. Not enough HIGH KNEE ACTION!
Judging needs to be overhauled NOW if the sport is to survive without becoming a circus. Mark DOWN for clear violations such as behind the vertical and obvious tension! Award more collective marks for relaxation and harmony!
Most riders of all levels can immediately recognize the artistry of this ride. How the horse is free of tension, in front of the vertical, poll the highest point, and harmonious, light aids.
Isn't it ridiculous that even a novice dressage rider can recognize this is correct, yet the judges at the highest level are rewarding that which is clearly incorrect.
The judges are the ones to blame for the sorry state of today's competition dressage, not Anky. There will always be "cheaters" and fakes and wannabes. The judges who award them the top prizes are the ones who are denegrating the sport. The judges are the ones who have the responsibility of upholding the time-tested principles of the sport through the marks, and they have failed.
The judges are the ones to blame for the sorry state of today's competition dressage, not Anky. There will always be "cheaters" and fakes and wannabes. The judges who award them the top prizes are the ones who are denegrating the sport. The judges are the ones who have the responsibility of upholding the time-tested principles of the sport through the marks, and they have failed.
What a master. And his daughter is going to be just as good (if she isn't already) in eventing. No rollkur, drawreins or short cuts here, and isn't it obvious what a huge positive difference it makes to do it properly? I just wish judges would see this and compare it to the Ankys of this world.
If you are interested in helping to revive classical, back-to-front riding like this, please consider visiting the new not-for-profit dressagerevolution-dot-com.
the horse's walk is still pure... a sure sign that the horse was trained correctly. Why can't people just see a pair like this and train the way he trains?
*sigh*
oh well, at least there are SOME people in the Dressage world that follow Reiner's training methods.
wow they are just amazing i have never seen such effortless, forward dressage with a partnership so insync with one another, they were truly an amazing team.
It's nice to see a good test without incessant commentary slathered over the top of it.
I have some of Dr. Klimke's videos and he was a wealth of information! I hear his children are carrying on the tradition.
It's also nice to see a forward-moving, active, rhythmic horse who seems happy in his work. The first few piaffes were a bit sticky, but we always have something to work on regardless of level.
And no, giving and retaking of rein after transition is not a proof of anything, it is not desirable. You may have misunderstood something you read. The ideal after the transition is a steady, quiet hand. Sometimes the rider must do what you laud because the horse is getting strong, inattentive or tired, 'stuff happens'. It is by no means ideal or desirable.
There is no such thing as a 'master' in dressage at that level. The hardest position is winner; everyone else is watching all the time and learning how to better one. Any horse, any rider, any ride, have strong and weak points. Klimke was his own strictest critic and would be disgusted by blind adoration. He was always publicly very clear about his strong and weak points and his mistakes. Today, we have some problems in judging and they are slowly being corrected.
Have you noticed? Every single transition is followed by giving a retaking the reins.That just shows how the horse is truly ridden from behind to the front. How often through the test can we see this in high level dressage shows nowadays?!?
Not only taking and giving reins in a very subtile way but look at his hands position. Do you see a low hand or any correction backwards? If he corrects, than upwards. His hands a upright and totally independent from his seat. A shame comparing to what you see today with even better horses/ equipment. I am wondering when people will finally stop doing "modern dressage".....
Oh, it would be such a pleausure, if everybody would ride ride like that. They're true MASTER. His nose/head and neck are perfect, so beautiful!
It's a shame what's been done to the dressage in the last ten years. Eventually I'm a bit too young for Ahlerich or Rembrandt, and I'm feeling bad for that, because that was the time, when dressage was still alright. If I'm watching dressage/show jumping or even eventing today I would like to cry. Stop it please and return to classic dressage! Please!!
Wow, ich liebe diesen Ritt! Ahlerich is nich so zusammengeschnürt wie man es leider oft sieht, die nase is leicht vor der Senkrechten, Haltung is super und die Ohren wippen Im takt mit. Also besser gehts nich, is meine Meinung! WOW
I think some of the misjudgements on this ride are because Klimke is riding what would now be considered an "average" horse and because he doesn't have all the music or technology behind his ride. It's an honest Grand prix test. Klimke is a brilliant rider and Alherich is a nicely trained horse. It's lovely to watch.
@lurvelysooz no, they'd rather have a horses head tucked into his knees now wouldn't they? A crank noseband, a nice tight flash to strap the mouth shut, some nice spurs digging into his sides, yeah, things have changed, and not for the sake of the horse. BRING BACK CLASSICAL DRESSAGE.
Watching this gives me goosebumps! Horse&rider are actually having FUN! THIS is what dressage is all about! I agree, dressage now is tense/stiff, this is pure heaven, watch the horses ears, they are sometimes flopping he is so relaxed!! I hope that one day the dressage world realizes that THIS is where it is at!
Oh dear - what are we supposed to do when the men and women that could really ride a horse like this all are gone????
Have seen him live in action and the ride was about the lightest Ive ever seen - no tention, just lightnesss, ease and beautiful steps from step one to the end...
Horses nose in front of vertical! Poll highest point! Horse allowed to stretch in extentions! Horse relaxed! NO PROFUSE SWEATING! Walk still intact 4 beat clear walk! Horse shows clear wish to streatch when asked! Compare that to Totilas and the modern horses performances!
You say, the horse walked 4 beat clear walk? How do you count? 1,2 - 1,2
It's the first time after 20 years that I've seen this dressage, some parts are nice, but the walk ... it's not worth the gold medal at all!! So give it back! ;-)
Because of the way he was working I truly believe that Klimke could have asked any question and Ahlerich would have answered brilliantly. He moves so fluidly and loks so relaxed (his ears are even floppy at times, not something you could achieve under tension)
So refreshing after today's limbering,stiff performances.
I don't know very much about the sport but it does appear both technical and athletic. I think the training of the horse has as much to do with the training if the rider.
We need to get back to riding like this. Why do Dressage JUDGES tolerate the crap that we see nowadays? They are to blame not the Anky's of the world. Dressage horses now are overly muscled, tense, and pushed too hard at too young an age. They end up with grossly unnatural gaits- back hinds hitting before or after the front in trot and canter when they are meant to hit at the same time. That is rewarded with high scores yet people who train RIGHT don't have a chance in hell. It's disgusting.
i totally agree! my mare is a 6 year old from donnerhall. her moves aren´t very impressing and there was no chance for me to get a point at the competions of youngsters, because all the weltmeyers do have so much more action on there forehands. doesn´t matter what they do, they win.
Exactly. Here, judges don't have to ride AT ALL. They just sit a test, pass it and off they go. No wonder they tolerate such gross misdemeanours; they simply don't know any better. How could they when they don't even ride?? It seems that bureaucracy gone crazy has just sooo much to answer for. I wonder how the judges might judge if they were also all riders. Duh.
I 've the 82 World Championships, the Europeans, plus RK + 'Ahli' in New York, in pas-de-deux with Anne-Grethe Jensen and Marzog, and in pas-de-trois with A-G J + M and Margit Otto-Crepin and Corlandus. But try as I might I've NEVER managed to get hold of the Olympics. Seeing this has been a dream for me - I never thought it would happen.
This is the GPS - hope someday the GP performance from the previous day comes to light - 'Ahli' apparently was fresher and it was an even greater performance.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
i dont really like the riders style of rider . . i think he could of been abit quiter in his seat and with his hands . . his stirrups also luk abit long as their right near his heal . . .ohwel over all i think it was a nice test
sk3lt0n - the stirrup length? It's not cross country! Lengthening the leg to its' greatest degree and riding with long stirrups is something to aspire to. Wish I could ride to that level with stirrups that length!
At a clinic RK gave at Stoneleigh he rode a couple of the horses brought by others - he was amazing. Wonderful, light legs and seat.
Apparently the heat in LA in the previous day's GP tired 'Ahli' a little so RK had to ride the GPS a little stronger than he'd ideally have wished ...
i know its cross country and as a dressage rider myself i know can see his length is a hole or two longer than it should! you may npt be able to notice but he grips with his knees in the sitting trot which proves my point of his stirrups being too long
hot damn. so nice to see a correct head-set and self-carriage. he did fall behind the vertical in a few movements, but i think that that would be easily forgiven seeing how he was so chill during those movements. *sigh* back in the good ole days of Classical dressage and the Classic format of eventing...
first off, "today's heavy-handed, cranked-in style" is NOT style much less, Dressage. it is the product of an art becoming a sport. the goal of harmony has been replaced by a blue ribbon. ppl r in a rush to win so they skip the basics: relaxation, rhythm, balance. all they want is a frame and head carriage. thankfully, there seems to be a movement back to the ways of the masters. i myself am studying and learning every day on my own horse, breaking down movements and analyzing our "conversation"
from what i can tell hes a good rider. in warm up, he keeps his horses long and low with a little lateral work and hes done. not this nose to chest via auxillary contraptions! im lucky, i schooled under a great german trainer as a kid. hes passed away now but he always told me to start & end long and low..."the horse will come to you when hes ready! dont rush him! stay out of his mouth! and uberstrichen!" he never used side reins, had ONE arm, and rode grand prix in dressage & jumping...
Klimke and Ahlerich were gods. I remember watching a video of them when I was a kid, and Klimke just let go of the reins and continued to ride Ahlerich in piaffe. It was a video of them schooling at home, put in slow motion to a symphony (maybe Handel? Don't know composers well). Wish I could see it again! Anyone know where to find it?
This is great! I love the fluidity in this rider/ horse combination- both of them also seemed to have been happy with what they were doing. Too bad there aren't more riders nowadays like he was back then!
What a difference from today's heavy-handed, cranked-in style. I love how his contact is light and feeling, and Ahlerich looks like he is enjoying himself.
This is more personal taste, but I also prefer yesterday's lighter dressage mounts as opposed to today's massive, bulky horses with high knee action.
Poor Dr. Klimke ... he's probably rolling over in his grave. When a third party compares this exemplary harmonization to the gold medal-winning test in Hong Kong the contrast is just astounding. Reiner Klimke was an artist. Anky isn't even a rider.
In addition to this video, I have the rest of the video showing Dr. Klimke taking Ahlerich back to the preparation area. I bet you mom is in that portion of the video because a groom does take Ahlerich from Dr. Klimke. Thank you for sharing this bit of history with us!
That is so amazing that your mum groomed for this rider who defies any rider that tempi-changes today! I am pretty sure I was drooling over his trot-passage transitions and tempis... :3
The problem is tho is that Salinero doesn't possess any of the push or power that this horse does and that only comes from being trained back to front as opposed to front to back. I love his extended trot-no toe flicky, huge striding foolery, he simply extends and he has such a tremendous amount of push and Klimke just sits so beautifully still on his back. I'd like to see Anky do one handed, one tempi changes for about 300m on a large curve!
I just can't get over how fluid those tempi changes are. They just, happen. There are no dramatics, no leaping, the horse just does tempi changes and it's an absolute joy to watch.
Good lord what a lovely ride! I wish people still rode this well. That horse is amazing and listens so well.
What I really like is the fact that this horse hardly (if ever) went behind the verticle. If anything, he was little ahead. I would rather see that than behind though!!
Is it just me or is this test a lot more difficult than the tests the current grand prix riders are riding in competition? This ride makes the 2004 Olympic dressage test look like child's play.
Couldn't agree more! Passage straight to extended walk really demonstrates relaxation and harmony (would pay a lot of money to watch Salinero attempt that!) and one tempis down the centre line are really testing too.
ummmm - classicalalliveries - Anky rides the GPS and there is a movement in there from passage into extended walk and salinero does that very well. Look at the GPS in athens, he does it extremely well so really, you wont need to pay!
oh, and i have to add - i'm so glad to see so many comments of so many people who see things the same way as me - it makes me hopeful. I had the great pleasure of meeting Rainer Klimke in MS and watch him ride. Once upon a time i wanted to be a professional dressage rider, but todays practise just makes me sad.
i'm sooo with you. A nose, in front of the vertical, a swinging back, true collection and extension, expression - true, classical dressage in a competition. Makes me so sad - Rainer Klimke, you are sorely missed :-(
This is a magnificent performance! I agree with those who pointed out that our so-called greatest riders are not even close to performing at this level. And Klimke did it all without rollkur! Just hard work and respect. I love this!
Absolutely stunning! What a perfect team. Both looked so comfortable and confident. It takes a certain type of person to instill that in a horse. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Thanks for posting, otherwise I would never have the opportunity to see it.
Can't believe I found this incredible footage! It takes such a long time to work up to this standard, the better part of 10 years in most cases, dressage is a partnership where both horse and rider are equally important, the very word "Dressage" actually means "The training of horses", it takes many years to give the horse the physique necessary to perform at this level let alone to teach it how to perform the moves necessary, dressage is NOT a sport for the faint hearted.
thank you!!! i hate it when people say that dressage is "boring" or "easy"; uh, no! everything has to be precise, energetic, graceful, harmonious, relaxed, rhythmical, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
It is a pitty when people can appreciate the art that is riding. It is a sport physically, mentally, and spiritually demanding. A horse does play a large role but the rider also must be physically strong and diciplined through his/her body to even be half way decent. What you think, how you move your body even so little as a cm fully effects the outcome. A person who hasn't ridden dressage has no place to say what is or is not a sport since they have never done it to understand what it involves.
give a medal to both parts, the horse and the rider. The rider is a very important teacher trough the horses life and the horse cant teach it self the exercises and eeeeeeveryyything else they need to learn :P I love Dressage and I am a team dressage rider and it so hard, but I love it, Im looking forward to my time in this size of arena.. I just say... WOW
i like how ahlerich's ears are "wobbling" :) super cute :)
scapin2207 1 month ago
I find it so inspiring to see so much "forwardness" in all the paces. Refreshing when compared with the modern day exaggerated paces which so compromise the relaxation and forward motion we see here. RK is a genius!
BSJSloper 1 month ago 2
This horse is so relaxed and perfect.... nowadays the GP horses we see at World Cups or Olympics are tense, drooling heavily, the movements irregular and nervous.... stiff, fabricated horses.... this is natural riding.... too bad that pig Sjef Janssen and his horrible wife bullied their way into the FEI, and now even the Federation accepts that horrible rollkur and those "quick fix" methods of training...
YamiNoPri 2 months ago 2
Oh, wonderful! FINALLY after I've watched dozens of videos here ONE rider whose horse just moves as relaxed as it should be!! Not comparable with what you see today! Thank you for this great video!
Buckaroossunnymagic 2 months ago
Sorry- I directed that comment @ the wrong person...oops.
Chauchat7777 4 months ago
I was there with my friend, Suzi Arden, 27 years ago -- a magnificent performance.
cmchop 4 months ago
@cmchop OMG. was it that long? I feel so old. It was wonderful, I remember it still. Don't know anyone has the you know whats to critiscize a masterful ride. ;/
Chauchat7777 4 months ago
quite possibly the best team ever
yamiupsolate 5 months ago
Now, dressage is just jumping around. No lightness, no permeability. The equistrian forgot the target of dressage - harmony.
This video makes me sad because there's no freestyle like this today. A horse, relaxed like Ahlerich, you'll never find in todays dressage.
Thumbs up for Rainer Klimke!
ImmortalHappyness 5 months ago
Erano altri tempi... Favoloso, da urlo!
MissCenerella89 6 months ago
the thing that gets me the most about ahleric is that he's so LIGHT off the ground & in the bridle! he doesn't look like he's sucking down onto rk's hands at ALL - compare to salinero et al. his gaits rise very easily and freely off the ground - it's not an effort to lift his legs and move around.
EquestrianPride16 6 months ago
It's hilarious how stuck in the past people are. Sure this looks more effortless than modern dressage, the horses aren't doing as much. People wonder why modern horses are rounder? Why gates are "freakishly large". It's because the sport has advanced.
Look at human athletes, do they look like ordinary humans? No. Does an Olympic gymnast's movements look like a normal person's? No. Our understanding of equine biomechanics has evolved, modern horses work through their bodies much more fully.
benburch9 8 months ago
@benburch9
I'm all for advancement of the sport, but I can't get behind progress achieved through cruelty. I think what people miss about dressage of the past is the pursuit of lightness and harmony, because isn't that what dressage is suppose to be about?
BizStamm 7 months ago
@benburch9 Exactly. The horse is visibly falling in the half pass. His back is hollow. His trot/passage is weak in the hind end.
krzxalien 4 months ago
@krzxalien Really? I wish I could do as "poor" a job then...
Chauchat7777 4 months ago
@Chauchat7777, yeah, amazing how arm-chair riders can find anything at all to bitch about here.
AnimalLeftist 2 weeks ago
don't focus on the flags! show the horse!
crazyperson14 8 months ago
And I was there! Woohoo! Sitting high up in the bleachers opposite the grandstands. Unforgettable. One thing that I clearly remember, but which isn't able to be heard on this video was the great, audible gasp of horror when Ahlerlich sort of stalled in that piaffe. It was horribly, stinking hot that day. I can imagine that a horse coming from Germany would have found the temperature a shock and a burden. But it was the reason I had tickets- someone who hated heat gave them to me.
londerosa 11 months ago 12
@londerosa Thanks for sharing your experience of being there!
equimusic 11 months ago 3
And I was there! Woohoo! Sitting high up in the bleachers opposite the grandstands. Unforgettable.
londerosa 11 months ago
I hope that one day we will see horses so relaxed, so natural and so well trained at dressage arenas again.. what went wrong????? Klimke wouldn´t succeed with this performace today at all. I cant even go to dressage competitions nowadays because it makes me so sick and sad to see how dressage which is supposed to be like a dance has changed into fight and drill... :o((((( K.
BonVuaz 11 months ago
The relaxation and communication -- still beautiful after all these years! I was there, fortunately, one of about 1/3 dressage enthusiasts in the audience among 2/3 people who knew nothing but wanted to see the Olympics. When Klimke won, he got a standing ovation and there were tears all around. Even those who didn't know what they were seeing, knew what they saw: brilliance, beauty and Art. I hate to say it, but few of today's "top" riders hold a candle to this great German rider and horse!
LazyL1953 1 year ago 7
Both, riding and horse breeding have changed nowadays.
But I think that his daughter is one of the world´s best horseman who is successfull in higher classes.
ThexMinE 1 year ago
sigh. isn't it simply beautiful? just WHAT happened, where did it all go wrong?
TheRealShieldmaiden 1 year ago
This was a time when correct execution of the movements was the most important thing; now dressage is all about big freaky gaits.
GhodiGirl 1 year ago 6
Is there a video on Karen Stives performance on Black stallion ?....thanks for your reply :)
bjoartec 1 year ago
most of the program is picture perfect, but the piaff work is almost shamefull. the rider is moving more than the horse, and there is no lift in the hindlegs.
but i would rather watch dr. klimpkes artistic masterpiece, then ankys circus show.
snotten 1 year ago
The thing that saddens me now, is that this ride would never win nowadays.
bhuebnerable 1 year ago
Beautiful. Great horse, great rider. Just look at how his ears bob up and down with every step. No tension there!
eevvJ15 1 year ago
Natulicel, SO true, show us ONE now rider who gives and retakes the reins like Reiner Klimke does !!! Dressage how it should be - thanks Dr Klimke!!!
BanRollkur 1 year ago
To become a judge of this level you have to have some pretty high credentials, even at the lower levels it's not just sit in class and pass a test. It's very difficult, I think it is sad that the horses in false carriage are marked well over horses that are correct but there ARE correct horses and riders ou there that are competeing and winning. You just can't find them really on youtube.
A nice think to note is Klimke's hands are always in a foreward motion, riding Ahlerich up into his hands
Eventer7 1 year ago 2
@Eventer7 I subed just because of this comment! O_O This is sooo true
JazperTheEventer 1 year ago
Beautiful! :) Nice quiet lower legs and the horse is happy and relaxed but still excited, loves his happy relaxed floppy ears.
ReinaEquina 1 year ago
Love watching Dr. Klimke in videos. We all have so much we could learn from him.
dtwmbld 1 year ago
Reiner is the kinder better rider, but Anky had the better choregraphy
QueenBeatlesWings 1 year ago
And then he walks off on a loose rein... compare to Anky being bucked off and once not even being able to get her horse to enter the ring when it was a little bit windy!
I grew up watching this and aspiring to do this, once got to take a clinic with Dr. Klimke, and today's riders just make my heart hurt.
Rhedd1 1 year ago 3
Can't even watch modern dressage, it makes me so uncomfortable for the horses, but I can watch this all day! Such joy and pride in Ahlerich's movement! Gorgeous!
Keechpeach 1 year ago 3
hm, i don't think anky would have been able to let go of the reins at the end of the test and let her very happy horse walk himself out of the arena.
EquestrianPride16 1 year ago
Everything said about the incomparable Dr. Klimke and the equally fabulous Ahlerich is said.
One other point: Dressage as a sport is rooted in the cavalry tradition, and doesn't Ahlerich actually look like a horse you could take on a battlefield and maneuver through just about ANYTHING??
jenseju 1 year ago
R. Klimke, will always rightly be known as "The Grand Master of Dressage". Scoring was far different, & more stringent - this is a test from over 17 years ago - yet it is more "correct" than 2010. Ahlerich was famed for being "scared" - yet he moves to the boards - NOTE - no "hyperflexion" or "rollkur" - in free walk - horse simply free walks...
scotia2k6 1 year ago
Buena reprise, pero da a impresión de que lleva las manos quizá un poco altas en determinados momentos.
freemanmgd 1 year ago
but i still think that his hands are too high...
ThexMinE 1 year ago
richtig geil rest in peace Ahlerich und Rest in peace Reiner
AngelSasori 1 year ago
Yes, Klimke was a "Yedi" still. I am asking myself: when did the "Dark side" take over in our sport ?
waranja2 1 year ago 3
True parallelism in the extended trot, nose in front of the vertical, awesome power from hindquarters throughout - everything done with relaxed, floppy ears. Its a shame that the highest score earned in dressage showed so many faults. It shows our priorities in the sport today - sacrifice the well-being of the horse & correctness in classical training for flashyness - the worst part is that the judges involved rewarded it so highly. I'm so glad to see so many people posting similar comments!
jkaequus 1 year ago
what was his score?
universalradio 1 year ago
@universalradio You can see the score at the end of the Klimke and Ahlerich 1984 Olympic Victory Lap video.
equimusic 1 year ago
@equimusic
I am sorry, but I couldn't see the score at the end?
nakicpetrina 1 year ago
@nakicpetrina , at the end of the Klimke and Ahlerich 1984 Olympic Victory Lap video (which is another one I posted), the scores are listed. They are numerical scores not percent scores. In 1984 they did not use percent scores.
equimusic 1 year ago
Awwww Such relaxation... this team is a stellar example of what dressage should look like.
saddlesforsale 1 year ago
A PROPER TRACK UP IN EXTENDED TROT!! i never thought i'd see such a beautiful sight.
StephanieJuliette 1 year ago
Reiner Klimke war ein großartiger reiter! Genauso wie Ingrid Klimke! Sie bildet mit ihrem pferd ein team und keine feindschaft!
ReddyTeddy22 1 year ago
Dieser Sieg ist verdient dieser schritt war bombe !!! Ich trainiere mit meiner reitlehrerin im moment solch einen schritt hinzubekommen bis jetz geht es durch die tat eines reiter und eines pferdes werden vllt viele einmal so anständig reiten!!
TheDonnerhall 1 year ago
oh mann, was würde ich dafür geben sowas heutzutage zusehen
Girl90Gossip 1 year ago
just look at those HAPPY EARS. there is something about this horse, perhaps it is his 'look of eagles', but you can just tell he is in it, like he knows he is working and he loves it, he wants to win, he WANTS to do dressage. how many horses do you see that are like that anymore, i mean sure their attentive, but their not IN IT.
Spritzer45 1 year ago 3
The transitions from passage to lengthen trot is marvelous!
SametHorses 1 year ago
Vielen Dank fürs Posten: Unsere Sehgewohnheiten sind so verdorben durch das, was im heutigen Dressursport zu sehen ist. Wir müssen uns solche Ritte immer wieder ansehen um wieder einen Maßstab zu bekommen, ein Vorbild, einen Blick dafür, was richtig ist!!!
filuxremo 1 year ago
Wonderful to see the horses note in front of the vertical!
Aliceinwonderland49 1 year ago
Sadly, this ride would probably not win today at this level. It's not FLASHY enough. Not enough HIGH KNEE ACTION!
Judging needs to be overhauled NOW if the sport is to survive without becoming a circus. Mark DOWN for clear violations such as behind the vertical and obvious tension! Award more collective marks for relaxation and harmony!
bettylion 1 year ago 3
Most riders of all levels can immediately recognize the artistry of this ride. How the horse is free of tension, in front of the vertical, poll the highest point, and harmonious, light aids.
Isn't it ridiculous that even a novice dressage rider can recognize this is correct, yet the judges at the highest level are rewarding that which is clearly incorrect.
bettylion 1 year ago 5
This is (quite literally) the gold standard.
The judges are the ones to blame for the sorry state of today's competition dressage, not Anky. There will always be "cheaters" and fakes and wannabes. The judges who award them the top prizes are the ones who are denegrating the sport. The judges are the ones who have the responsibility of upholding the time-tested principles of the sport through the marks, and they have failed.
bettylion 1 year ago 4
This is (quite literally) the gold standard.
The judges are the ones to blame for the sorry state of today's competition dressage, not Anky. There will always be "cheaters" and fakes and wannabes. The judges who award them the top prizes are the ones who are denegrating the sport. The judges are the ones who have the responsibility of upholding the time-tested principles of the sport through the marks, and they have failed.
bettylion 1 year ago
what a beautiful and natural horse with an amazing rider
MsGreatJumper 1 year ago 2
What a master. And his daughter is going to be just as good (if she isn't already) in eventing. No rollkur, drawreins or short cuts here, and isn't it obvious what a huge positive difference it makes to do it properly? I just wish judges would see this and compare it to the Ankys of this world.
platypussy79 1 year ago
What a beautiful video.
If you are interested in helping to revive classical, back-to-front riding like this, please consider visiting the new not-for-profit dressagerevolution-dot-com.
dressagerevolution 1 year ago
the horse's walk is still pure... a sure sign that the horse was trained correctly. Why can't people just see a pair like this and train the way he trains?
*sigh*
oh well, at least there are SOME people in the Dressage world that follow Reiner's training methods.
RRhapsodylover 1 year ago
wow they are just amazing i have never seen such effortless, forward dressage with a partnership so insync with one another, they were truly an amazing team.
radcracker7 1 year ago
It's nice to see a good test without incessant commentary slathered over the top of it.
I have some of Dr. Klimke's videos and he was a wealth of information! I hear his children are carrying on the tradition.
It's also nice to see a forward-moving, active, rhythmic horse who seems happy in his work. The first few piaffes were a bit sticky, but we always have something to work on regardless of level.
kunstfeuer 1 year ago
And no, giving and retaking of rein after transition is not a proof of anything, it is not desirable. You may have misunderstood something you read. The ideal after the transition is a steady, quiet hand. Sometimes the rider must do what you laud because the horse is getting strong, inattentive or tired, 'stuff happens'. It is by no means ideal or desirable.
pirouette987 1 year ago
There is no such thing as a 'master' in dressage at that level. The hardest position is winner; everyone else is watching all the time and learning how to better one. Any horse, any rider, any ride, have strong and weak points. Klimke was his own strictest critic and would be disgusted by blind adoration. He was always publicly very clear about his strong and weak points and his mistakes. Today, we have some problems in judging and they are slowly being corrected.
pirouette987 1 year ago
Have you noticed? Every single transition is followed by giving a retaking the reins.That just shows how the horse is truly ridden from behind to the front. How often through the test can we see this in high level dressage shows nowadays?!?
Natulicek 1 year ago 36
@Natulicek Excellent observation! I doubt if there is a video showing that being done today at the international competition level.
equimusic 1 year ago 8
@Natulicek
Not only taking and giving reins in a very subtile way but look at his hands position. Do you see a low hand or any correction backwards? If he corrects, than upwards. His hands a upright and totally independent from his seat. A shame comparing to what you see today with even better horses/ equipment. I am wondering when people will finally stop doing "modern dressage".....
oranowisc 1 year ago
Oh, it would be such a pleausure, if everybody would ride ride like that. They're true MASTER. His nose/head and neck are perfect, so beautiful!
It's a shame what's been done to the dressage in the last ten years. Eventually I'm a bit too young for Ahlerich or Rembrandt, and I'm feeling bad for that, because that was the time, when dressage was still alright. If I'm watching dressage/show jumping or even eventing today I would like to cry. Stop it please and return to classic dressage! Please!!
MytheWhisper 1 year ago 3
Beautiful!!!
Lista19 2 years ago
Da muss Herr Qual, ähm...Gal aber noch sehr, sehr lange üben...!
Ein unerreichtes Meisterstück klassischer Dressur...
SchoeneTischlerin 2 years ago
Schauen Sie mal Herr E.. Gal!
SO (!) macht man's richtig!!!
maryblack88 2 years ago 2
Wow, ich liebe diesen Ritt! Ahlerich is nich so zusammengeschnürt wie man es leider oft sieht, die nase is leicht vor der Senkrechten, Haltung is super und die Ohren wippen Im takt mit. Also besser gehts nich, is meine Meinung! WOW
LuckyandIssi 2 years ago 6
PERFECT
onelasssttime 2 years ago
Look at the flying changes!! We don't see the rider's legs moving. That's subtility!!
CatherineESM 2 years ago 2
I think some of the misjudgements on this ride are because Klimke is riding what would now be considered an "average" horse and because he doesn't have all the music or technology behind his ride. It's an honest Grand prix test. Klimke is a brilliant rider and Alherich is a nicely trained horse. It's lovely to watch.
Eventer7 2 years ago 4
blimey, amazing how much things have changed in 25 years. This test wouldn't even be good enough to win a UK regional final these days.
lurvelysooz 2 years ago
@lurvelysooz no, they'd rather have a horses head tucked into his knees now wouldn't they? A crank noseband, a nice tight flash to strap the mouth shut, some nice spurs digging into his sides, yeah, things have changed, and not for the sake of the horse. BRING BACK CLASSICAL DRESSAGE.
lassiesuca 2 years ago
that looks so natural and beautiful! thats harmony! not like rollkur or something else ;)
Amiii93 2 years ago 3
This is a beautiful ride from start to finish. Ahlerich is relaxed and happy as is Reiner Klimke. Lovely.
jimiakin 2 years ago 3
how old was Ahlerich when this was made.
richmondkrn 2 years ago
Ahlerich was 13 at the 1984 Olympics.
equimusic 2 years ago
Watching this gives me goosebumps! Horse&rider are actually having FUN! THIS is what dressage is all about! I agree, dressage now is tense/stiff, this is pure heaven, watch the horses ears, they are sometimes flopping he is so relaxed!! I hope that one day the dressage world realizes that THIS is where it is at!
froggiesheins 2 years ago 6
How can dressage find its way back to this???
Oh dear - what are we supposed to do when the men and women that could really ride a horse like this all are gone????
Have seen him live in action and the ride was about the lightest Ive ever seen - no tention, just lightnesss, ease and beautiful steps from step one to the end...
Wentona 2 years ago 3
Horses nose in front of vertical! Poll highest point! Horse allowed to stretch in extentions! Horse relaxed! NO PROFUSE SWEATING! Walk still intact 4 beat clear walk! Horse shows clear wish to streatch when asked! Compare that to Totilas and the modern horses performances!
markc1234golf 2 years ago 58
Excellent points. :)
equimusic 2 years ago
You say, the horse walked 4 beat clear walk? How do you count? 1,2 - 1,2
It's the first time after 20 years that I've seen this dressage, some parts are nice, but the walk ... it's not worth the gold medal at all!! So give it back! ;-)
AnjaJunker 2 years ago
These are horrible Piaffes :(
A Piaffe like "Phillippe Karl" is much better.
TweetyVivi94 2 years ago
lol....i dont think the word "horrible" quite applies to any part of this ride
gsukrw06 2 years ago
That was so amazing he just moves with the horse!! I hope I can get my 2 yr old Paint Friesian filly to move like that!!!
cheersapril 2 years ago
this is my trainer's old trainer :)
blondienbelle 2 years ago
i find it a little bit rushed but its more
naturel for the horse
Dressageriderrobin 2 years ago
Wow, wow and wow.
Why can't we see more of this these days.
Because of the way he was working I truly believe that Klimke could have asked any question and Ahlerich would have answered brilliantly. He moves so fluidly and loks so relaxed (his ears are even floppy at times, not something you could achieve under tension)
So refreshing after today's limbering,stiff performances.
BeckB78 2 years ago 4
I don't know very much about the sport but it does appear both technical and athletic. I think the training of the horse has as much to do with the training if the rider.
lemonite1 2 years ago
Most incredible horse ever!
halfhalt146 2 years ago 2
We need to get back to riding like this. Why do Dressage JUDGES tolerate the crap that we see nowadays? They are to blame not the Anky's of the world. Dressage horses now are overly muscled, tense, and pushed too hard at too young an age. They end up with grossly unnatural gaits- back hinds hitting before or after the front in trot and canter when they are meant to hit at the same time. That is rewarded with high scores yet people who train RIGHT don't have a chance in hell. It's disgusting.
soappoisoning 2 years ago 55
agreed
BonVuaz 2 years ago
yes..
BonVuaz 2 years ago
i totally agree! my mare is a 6 year old from donnerhall. her moves aren´t very impressing and there was no chance for me to get a point at the competions of youngsters, because all the weltmeyers do have so much more action on there forehands. doesn´t matter what they do, they win.
1010nicole1010 2 years ago
i agree "anky's" in the world only do wat they do to win. if the judes would reward riders more like this. ppl like anky would be like this.
richmondkrn 2 years ago 4
Exactly. Here, judges don't have to ride AT ALL. They just sit a test, pass it and off they go. No wonder they tolerate such gross misdemeanours; they simply don't know any better. How could they when they don't even ride?? It seems that bureaucracy gone crazy has just sooo much to answer for. I wonder how the judges might judge if they were also all riders. Duh.
Shachihata8 1 year ago
@soappoisoning this is so true.. and so sad... K.
BonVuaz 11 months ago
I 've the 82 World Championships, the Europeans, plus RK + 'Ahli' in New York, in pas-de-deux with Anne-Grethe Jensen and Marzog, and in pas-de-trois with A-G J + M and Margit Otto-Crepin and Corlandus. But try as I might I've NEVER managed to get hold of the Olympics. Seeing this has been a dream for me - I never thought it would happen.
This is the GPS - hope someday the GP performance from the previous day comes to light - 'Ahli' apparently was fresher and it was an even greater performance.
JayJayW9 2 years ago 2
So u rode in all of those wow. wats ur name??
richmondkrn 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i dont really like the riders style of rider . . i think he could of been abit quiter in his seat and with his hands . . his stirrups also luk abit long as their right near his heal . . .ohwel over all i think it was a nice test
sk3lt0n 2 years ago
sk3lt0n - the stirrup length? It's not cross country! Lengthening the leg to its' greatest degree and riding with long stirrups is something to aspire to. Wish I could ride to that level with stirrups that length!
At a clinic RK gave at Stoneleigh he rode a couple of the horses brought by others - he was amazing. Wonderful, light legs and seat.
Apparently the heat in LA in the previous day's GP tired 'Ahli' a little so RK had to ride the GPS a little stronger than he'd ideally have wished ...
JayJayW9 2 years ago 3
i know its cross country and as a dressage rider myself i know can see his length is a hole or two longer than it should! you may npt be able to notice but he grips with his knees in the sitting trot which proves my point of his stirrups being too long
sk3lt0n 2 years ago
He is in the fucking olympics. i think he nos how long his stirrup should be!!!!
richmondkrn 2 years ago 3
hot damn. so nice to see a correct head-set and self-carriage. he did fall behind the vertical in a few movements, but i think that that would be easily forgiven seeing how he was so chill during those movements. *sigh* back in the good ole days of Classical dressage and the Classic format of eventing...
chrissyluvhorsey 2 years ago 5
first off, "today's heavy-handed, cranked-in style" is NOT style much less, Dressage. it is the product of an art becoming a sport. the goal of harmony has been replaced by a blue ribbon. ppl r in a rush to win so they skip the basics: relaxation, rhythm, balance. all they want is a frame and head carriage. thankfully, there seems to be a movement back to the ways of the masters. i myself am studying and learning every day on my own horse, breaking down movements and analyzing our "conversation"
gsukrw06 2 years ago 7
Very True!!!
eventingjourney 2 years ago 2
I think steffen peters is a very good modner dressage ridder. You seem like u no alot wat do u think???
richmondkrn 2 years ago
from what i can tell hes a good rider. in warm up, he keeps his horses long and low with a little lateral work and hes done. not this nose to chest via auxillary contraptions! im lucky, i schooled under a great german trainer as a kid. hes passed away now but he always told me to start & end long and low..."the horse will come to you when hes ready! dont rush him! stay out of his mouth! and uberstrichen!" he never used side reins, had ONE arm, and rode grand prix in dressage & jumping...
gsukrw06 2 years ago
er...... he is a "good" rider??have you been on Earth for the last 3 decades, minimum?? Can you spell M A S T E R ??
onelasssttime 2 years ago
the "good" rider comment wasnt about klimke. it was about steffen peters...someone asked me what i thought of him.
but yes, im aware of klimke's M A S T E R status.
gsukrw06 2 years ago
MEISTER1
pegasus1747 2 years ago
Amazing horse/rider pair. The riding is just beautiful. We need to see more of this kind of stuff at dressage shows nowadays...
TFSIMx3 2 years ago
amazing riding!
onehotcowgirl42 2 years ago
WOW.
i read the book from harry boldt.
amylool 2 years ago 2
Klimke and Ahlerich were gods. I remember watching a video of them when I was a kid, and Klimke just let go of the reins and continued to ride Ahlerich in piaffe. It was a video of them schooling at home, put in slow motion to a symphony (maybe Handel? Don't know composers well). Wish I could see it again! Anyone know where to find it?
feminartist 2 years ago 6
Comment removed
JayJayW9 2 years ago
This is great! I love the fluidity in this rider/ horse combination- both of them also seemed to have been happy with what they were doing. Too bad there aren't more riders nowadays like he was back then!
polkarullah 2 years ago 3
Amazing, just amazing his riding!!!
Monsterhexe88 2 years ago
da wars noch dressur für und mit den pferden und nicht wie heute eine kommerzorientierte show
go6go6go6 2 years ago
What a difference from today's heavy-handed, cranked-in style. I love how his contact is light and feeling, and Ahlerich looks like he is enjoying himself.
This is more personal taste, but I also prefer yesterday's lighter dressage mounts as opposed to today's massive, bulky horses with high knee action.
TheTetrarch 2 years ago 9
Poor Dr. Klimke ... he's probably rolling over in his grave. When a third party compares this exemplary harmonization to the gold medal-winning test in Hong Kong the contrast is just astounding. Reiner Klimke was an artist. Anky isn't even a rider.
TBsPlease 2 years ago 29
Whoops, did I say Hong Kong? I mean Beijing.
TBsPlease 2 years ago 2
My Mum was his groom at that time ans even now she starts to cry when she sees him and ahlerich!!!
She often tells me stories from that time and all the fantastic moments!
I knew him too....he was such a great rider and person!!!
heathbaby11 2 years ago 2
In addition to this video, I have the rest of the video showing Dr. Klimke taking Ahlerich back to the preparation area. I bet you mom is in that portion of the video because a groom does take Ahlerich from Dr. Klimke. Thank you for sharing this bit of history with us!
equimusic 2 years ago
That is so amazing that your mum groomed for this rider who defies any rider that tempi-changes today! I am pretty sure I was drooling over his trot-passage transitions and tempis... :3
pureclass01 2 years ago
thank you ...sheer poetry....
:)
mellllb 2 years ago
The problem is tho is that Salinero doesn't possess any of the push or power that this horse does and that only comes from being trained back to front as opposed to front to back. I love his extended trot-no toe flicky, huge striding foolery, he simply extends and he has such a tremendous amount of push and Klimke just sits so beautifully still on his back. I'd like to see Anky do one handed, one tempi changes for about 300m on a large curve!
thecrazydolls 3 years ago 8
I end up with goose bumps everytime I watch this :)
dressagencaptain 3 years ago
Any sane person would. I ussually end up crying as well!
DontForgetDressage2 3 years ago
Thanks for posting. Although I like the sport of show jumping, I like to see Great horses and riders from other equestrian sports.
sainglain 3 years ago
This is probably the most brilliant riding I'be ever seen! Absolutely marvelous!
Craziness714 3 years ago 3
what's he doing with his hands in the piaffe? up and down in rhythm?
devinej05 3 years ago
Beautiful, the way dressage should be. Horse pushing into the bit, not evading the bit, or forced into a false frame, ie Rollkur. Beautiful.
Yzenrider 3 years ago
Now, THAT is what Dressage is really about.
I just can't get over how fluid those tempi changes are. They just, happen. There are no dramatics, no leaping, the horse just does tempi changes and it's an absolute joy to watch.
idlewild202 3 years ago 7
Good lord what a lovely ride! I wish people still rode this well. That horse is amazing and listens so well.
What I really like is the fact that this horse hardly (if ever) went behind the verticle. If anything, he was little ahead. I would rather see that than behind though!!
darkduet 3 years ago 4
Is it just me or is this test a lot more difficult than the tests the current grand prix riders are riding in competition? This ride makes the 2004 Olympic dressage test look like child's play.
c140075 3 years ago 5
Couldn't agree more! Passage straight to extended walk really demonstrates relaxation and harmony (would pay a lot of money to watch Salinero attempt that!) and one tempis down the centre line are really testing too.
classicalliveries 3 years ago 2
ummmm - classicalalliveries - Anky rides the GPS and there is a movement in there from passage into extended walk and salinero does that very well. Look at the GPS in athens, he does it extremely well so really, you wont need to pay!
Jaccko14 3 years ago
oh, and i have to add - i'm so glad to see so many comments of so many people who see things the same way as me - it makes me hopeful. I had the great pleasure of meeting Rainer Klimke in MS and watch him ride. Once upon a time i wanted to be a professional dressage rider, but todays practise just makes me sad.
TheRealShieldmaiden 3 years ago 2
i'm sooo with you. A nose, in front of the vertical, a swinging back, true collection and extension, expression - true, classical dressage in a competition. Makes me so sad - Rainer Klimke, you are sorely missed :-(
TheRealShieldmaiden 3 years ago 4
If only all dressage riders rode like that. I haven't seen a dressage horse looking so relaxed, balanced and graceful in a long, long time.
jessj48 3 years ago 3
This is a magnificent performance! I agree with those who pointed out that our so-called greatest riders are not even close to performing at this level. And Klimke did it all without rollkur! Just hard work and respect. I love this!
kken1229 3 years ago 5
gorgeous.... awesome... this is how a horses neck is supposed to be!
virgipirgi 3 years ago
Gorgeous!!! It's nice to see dressage the way it is supposed to be ridden not the scary tense, toe flicking stuff we see most of the time now days.
radwigs 3 years ago 3
Ohh, how I miss the days when rollkur wasn't the dominating practice in dressage.
oprah08 3 years ago 8
The two gold and silver medalists this year were not even close to being that graceful or accurate. Lovely ride.
Virtie333 3 years ago 3
Absolutely stunning! What a perfect team. Both looked so comfortable and confident. It takes a certain type of person to instill that in a horse. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Thanks for posting, otherwise I would never have the opportunity to see it.
Dhn904681 3 years ago 3
Thanks so much for posting this. Still brings a tear to my eye-he left us to soon.
pauline608 3 years ago 2
I was there...absolutely the best ride of have ever seen....
taradeeh 3 years ago
anky van grunsven's over zealous fans should watch this so they can see how it should be done!
XoMerryoX 3 years ago 20
Can't believe I found this incredible footage! It takes such a long time to work up to this standard, the better part of 10 years in most cases, dressage is a partnership where both horse and rider are equally important, the very word "Dressage" actually means "The training of horses", it takes many years to give the horse the physique necessary to perform at this level let alone to teach it how to perform the moves necessary, dressage is NOT a sport for the faint hearted.
Great video!!!!!!!!
BizzyMomma04 3 years ago
thank you!!! i hate it when people say that dressage is "boring" or "easy"; uh, no! everything has to be precise, energetic, graceful, harmonious, relaxed, rhythmical, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
chrissyluvhorsey 2 years ago 2
It is a pitty when people can appreciate the art that is riding. It is a sport physically, mentally, and spiritually demanding. A horse does play a large role but the rider also must be physically strong and diciplined through his/her body to even be half way decent. What you think, how you move your body even so little as a cm fully effects the outcome. A person who hasn't ridden dressage has no place to say what is or is not a sport since they have never done it to understand what it involves.
Eventer7 3 years ago
This test took my breath away. Wow, all I can say is wow.
wrongwrongright 3 years ago
Absolutely stunning, even 20 years later. There is a reason why he was, and still is, a legend.
AeronRiding 3 years ago 5
really one of my favourite dressage rider!! i love this video!!
Taddl169 3 years ago
What a joy to watch! Thank you for posting!
pegasus1747 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this! Rides like this are why dressage is my favourite riding event to watch!
TWHequestrian 3 years ago
I still think they should give the medals to the horses, not the riders.
topoisomerace 3 years ago 3
give a medal to both parts, the horse and the rider. The rider is a very important teacher trough the horses life and the horse cant teach it self the exercises and eeeeeeveryyything else they need to learn :P I love Dressage and I am a team dressage rider and it so hard, but I love it, Im looking forward to my time in this size of arena.. I just say... WOW
calaquende 3 years ago 2
Now THAT'S what I call 'a happy athlete'!
Steedrider 3 years ago 6
WOW!
and the stands were full too!
AWESOME!
k2arabians 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
why is this a sport
FORZACAINII 3 years ago