FEI Conference on the RollKur Controversy

Following constructive debate at the FEI round-table conference at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne today (9 February), the consensus of the group was that any head and neck position achieved through aggressive force is not acceptable. The group redefined hyperflexion/Rollkur as flexion of the horses neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable. The technique known as Low, Deep and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• horse
• fei
• rollkur
• controversy
• sports

[farbschlacht]

dear FEI, thank you for doing nothing about horse abuse.

low-deep-and-round is nothing else than rollkur/hyperflexion: the horses head and neck is in a unnatural position wich results in backpain and deprives the horses of air. the judges and stewards who watches brutal riding at warmup areas until now, will let it happen in the future. who deffines where aggressive riding starts? you just provided another grey zone for these riders to get away with bad riding. CONGRATULATIONS!

[BanRollkur]

AT LAST! Now what is needed is that the FEI uphold their ruling that Rollkur and Hyperflexion are achieved by aggressive riding - Yellow and Red cards will be thrown around in huge numbers now - Watch out Anky and Patrik Kittel you may get the first ones!!!!!

[JoyfuloneAim]

You can get rollkur without low LDR. Rollkur is not the same thing people are sadly confused

[playlayful]

OK...hmmm...LDR...it may not be exactly "forced" but it's still behind the vertical. And any "classical" dressage rider that agrees with the masters would never do this. Gymnastic exercise or submissive abuse? Just because the horse "can" do this and does it because it knows that if it does, the hand relaxes, is still not right. I know that "several" not mentioning names top riders use this, no offense to anyone. Just a personal opinion.

[4ridersify]

@farbschlacht There are far too many people in this sport with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo for it to change with a few 'new rules'. Just think of the reputations,sponsorship money, etc. etc. that is at risk of being lost if suddenly everyone threw up their hands and said "Wait a minute, this is all going very very wrong!" I have seen this happen in other areas of the horse industry and show world and it always has to get much worse, before it gets better. Sadly.

[farbschlacht]

@4ridersify In Germany nothing has changed. The stewards and judges go temporary blind and continue to kiss the "improtant" riders buts. It's the same with the new medicamtentation rules. Either a horse is healthy and able to compete without drugs, or it's not. How hard can this be?!?

[xinofonte]

i was in aachen and in other competitions and guess what...rolkur ldr whatever, the stewards said nothing! in front of everybody.but is a nic video tough...lol

[sanchmargar]

I think you mean "too round" and "too deep" and yes I agree with you because then it would not be harmonious balance. Too round/too deep (ie head between the knees, chin to chest) is not what I'm talking about nor what the FEI spokesman refers to. A horse moving round exhibits a swing and a lift of their backs which cannot be acheived in Rollkur. That's why we really have to continue the argument because they will ultimately lose.

[farbschlacht]

I agree with you about the low and deep part. I ride horses forward downward as well. What I dont understand is the "round" part. Normaly horses don't take this head position voluntarily. If that happens it's a sign, that the horse still needs training because it's not able to carry itself properly. Horses that kreep behind the reins should not be encouraged. I'm just concerned, because rollkur riders could use it as an argument to proceed with hyperflexion.

[sanchmargar]

I'm sorry but I heard and understood him to say "low-deep-and-round acheived in a harmonious way is acceptable". I ride the chewy stretchy trot low-deep-and-round allowing my horse to take the reins forward and down alot all over the arena during our rides and he and I absolutely are in perfect balance and harmony. I understood this man to mean this exact thing.