Well, if the FEI sorts it's brain out enough to be able to tell it's arse from it's elbow and get the guts to upset the likes of Anky.
OK, time for definition: I normally use Rollkur when referring to slightly behind the verticle work that I do occasionally with Gypsy, although he has really calmed down now and no longer needs nor is worked in this outline.
In this post, Rollkur is defining the position where the horse's head is held a long way behind the verticle, in some cases against the chest. Today, we are referring to this extreme form of flexion.
Dr Uta von Borstel, of the University of Guelph in Ontario has been spending a lot of time researching the effects of Rollkur on horses, physically and mentally.
The findings show that Rollkur actually causes horses distress.
For the investigation, Dr von Borstel and her team took 15 horses and rode them in both the extremely hyperflexed position and the normal poll flexion position, using a seperate arena for each position. The horses learned to associate the differing techniques with the corresponding arenas.
The horses were then allowed to choose which arena to go into and 14 chose the non-rollkur ring.
The investigation also found that when the horses were ridden rollkur they had higher heart rates and reacted more markedly to frightening stimuli.
Last April the FEI issued a statement about rollkur which read:
"There are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of hyperflexion (rollkur). However, there are serious concerns for a horse's wellbeing if the technique is not being practised correctly.
"The FEI condemns hyperflexion in any equestrian sport as an example of mental abuse. The FEI states that it does not support the practise."
Despite this, the FEI are said to be still considering whether or not to discipline riders using rollkur at FEI events. They are not currently, and unless the FEI gets off the fence and decides one way or another, they never will.
I'm sorry, but, I know that I sit a bit on the fence over this subject, leaning more toward the anti- brigade over the extreme form, but the FEI cannot have it both ways. They can not openly condemn rollkur and then say to the riders: "but don't worry, if we catch you using it, we won't do anything."
It just doesn't work.
Of course, the FEI don't want the likes of Anky van Grunsven, Isabelle Werth, and some prominent showjumping riders to up and leave the sport by cracking down on their training methods. But at the same time they can't say one thing and mean another.
If these riders are going to walk out on their sport just because the FEi decides to discipline them for using rollkur at an FEI event then do we really want them in the sport? Are they any better than the footballer who kisses the badge of his club after scoring a goal and then, as soon as a big club show an interest in him, demands a transfer?
As for me? Well, with Gypsy now much calmer in his work and happy to work collected movement, I can work him in the frame I want - uphill, elevated and flowing through from his hindlegs. Something I couldn't do with him without hystronics over the loss of ability to go 100mph last year.
Yes, he still gets a tad excited in canter work, but only to extent where I can get away with just bringing him back to walk on a circle line, and using the excitement to produce a more elevated walk. Last year I wouldn't have been able to get him to that stage and never envisioned it happening.