WEG Impressions

WEG Logo

World Equestrian Games
Rome, Italy
Dressage
September 30 - October 4, 1998

Impressions from the World Equestrian Games
by Trenna Atkins

The two top horses here, Gestion Bonfire and Nissan Gigolo, have both proven
one of the values of dressage, longevity. Both horses have been performing
at the Grand Prix level consistently for a number of years. In the last
World Equestrian Games in 1994, the two horses were equal World Champions,
one in the Special and one in the Kur. (Note: The Kur was first introduced at the 1994 WEG with riders being allowed to chose between the Special and the Kur resulting in two champions: Anky Van Grunsven and Isabel Werth). Since then they have competed again and again, staying very close together in scores, but together pushing the top of the scores. I think one of the reasons that the scores have become
higher and higher is that these horses have had the time to develop in the
Grand Prix test for over five years. For the both of them to be at the top
of their game at this World Equestrian Games makes this a very special time
in Dressage history.

Even though the top two winners have been on the dressage scene for a while,
many of the top 24 placed horses are relative newcomers. There were a
number of top scoring horses from 9 to 13 years of age which means these
horses will be even better in two years for the Syndey Olympic Games or even
on to the World Equestrian Games in Spain in another four years.

European Dressage is well appreciated by the audience. If the judges should
have a question about whether there was a mistake in the changes, they
simply have to listen to the “voice” of the audience, whose gasps
accompanied mistakes in changes, losing rhythm in canter pirouettes and
other mistakes in the test. The audience is also very vocal in their
appreciation of the rides and the winners, although I didn’t hear any real
booing about the scores, although there were some groans and dissatisfaction
expressed from the stands.

I was amazed to find that the audience at the World Equestrian Games was at
least 50% male, something you don’t see in our area. <G>

The Italians did not seem to have much concern for the quiet concentration
of the sport of dressage. During a number of the Grand Prix rides on the
first day, the grounds crew were still constructing stands for the sponsors
and running skill saws near the arena (but over 20 meters away) was of no
concern to them.

There also seemed to be microphones set up at the letters M,H,K&F, I’m not
sure why. They might have been making some feedback noise because some of
the horses did shy from them. On the day of the special, the mikes seemed
to be covered with plastic, and I think they altered them somehow between
rides because they seemed to cause less reaction later. The international
riders took it in stride, with no complaints, setting a good example for the
rest of us.

The television coverage seemed to be very comprehensive. I only wish we had
access to it. One of the least favorite things with the riders was a large
camera on a boom that would approach them as they were leaving the arena,
usually at about horse height, and follow them as they left through a small
exit. This camera and boom arm created a shadow at times and many horses
became very tense, often causing the Technical Delegate, Mr. Lette, to
intervene and stop the arm so the horses could even leave at all as it
appeared to be on top of them as they approached the exit door. Amazingly,
this didn’t dissuade them and they continued to do it as horse after horse
reacted negatively. Nor did they slow it down if a horse became excited. I
suspect that none of the camera operators have ridden a 16-17 hand, well
conditioned animal when it was frightened of technology.

There was an amazing man in a suit and bowler hat at the A end of the arena.
As the ride before was being scored, the next rider would warm up around the
arena as usual. Two men were standing at the closed gate at A. When the
bell would ring, the man in the bowler would remove his hat and hold him arm
out to the side, hat about shoulder height. The crew would then remove the
gate and as the horse entered the ring, and passed about L, the man would
put his hat back on his head slowly, giving the signal to the crew to put
the gate back in place. Then would then retreat to the stands at the south
end of the arena. The man would also be in charge of any whips dropped in
his area. As the rider finished, he would again remove his hat as the rider
exited the arena, as a kind of salute and give them back their whips. His
control of this part of the competition was appreciated by all, I’m sure.

Warm-ups:

Final warm ups could be observed from the upper walk way behind the stands,
and we would frequently run out to watch one of our favorites in their final
warm up before their Grand Prix test.

Most riders warmed up in a slow, relaxed way. In the warm up arena used
just before entering the competition arena, everyone was riding in a correct
dressage outline with the poll the highest point.

The riders frequently performed movements from the test and repeated any
mistakes but without large corrections. One rider frequently used reinbacks
in many different places in her warm up. Isabel Werth rode Gigolo in a lot
of extensions in canter with lots of collection at the end. At one point
she asked for a piaffe from walk and Gigolo didn’t answer the aid. She gave
him a strong kick forward, then came quietly back and asked again receiving
the correct answer immediately.

Isabel clearly knows her horse’s strong points. They seemed very clear
about what they wanted to work on just before entering the arena. It was
interesting to note that the only warm-up we witnessed with Anky and Bonfire
was work on the walk, a place where she usually has her lowest scores. I’m
sure she did other work too, but one whole warm up session in the far warm
up was entirely walk. The work seems to be successful with scores on her
extended walk being from 5, a couple of 6’s and to even one 7.

The most astounding thing to me was being able to watch so many good rides.
I have seen a fair number of Grand Prix rides in the U.S, often having some
problems in the piaffe/passage tour or changes. Here we saw 80+ rides with
most horses performing all of the movements at least satisfactorily (6). I
remember hearing that at the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm only a
few of the top riders performed both lines of tempi changes without
mistakes, but here a mistake in the tempis was an exception, not the rule.

I have never seen so many smoothly performed transitions from passage to
piaffe and back to passage, even though I have a large library of European
Dressage video tapes. There have been many discussions over the past 10
years about the way in which the piaffe was performed. I don’t think these
discussions would apply in Rome, however. Many of the top horses performed
in rhythm, and showed a distinct lowering of the quarters.

From my observations in Rome, I think we are approaching a new era in the
International world of dressage. Bonfire and Gigolo stand out in this crowd, with the highest scores, but also have the most experience to perfect their performances. The rest of the top half of the performances were also very good. The two top winners may retire, but there are many waiting to take their place. Isabel and Anky could bring their
second and third back up Grand Prix horses which would have shown equally
well in this top group.

The most amazing thing was how close the team scores were. Germany and the
Netherlands have clearly pulled out in front with both teams scoring over
300 points more than the next team. The Swedish team won the bronze medal,
but with only a few changes in luck or experience, it could have gone to the
US, only 32 points behind, or Denmark, only 142 points behind. When there
are five judges, these points are closer than you would think because each
mistake is so costly, multiplied by five. Spain, Finland and Great
Britain were within 100 points behind and the Swiss close behind that. The
next Olympic Games in Sydney should be very competitive, especially for the
Bronze team medal.

Disclaimer - To our knowledge, all graphics used at this site are public domain or used with the author's permission. If you spot any artwork that is not properly credited, please contact kyrabeth@dressageunltd.com.