"Extremness" out?
Every day is the „first day of the rest of one’s life “
The Icelandic horse and horsemanship have been on a unbelievable journey for the last 70 years. It has developed so much that it is difficult to compare how things were done 70 years ago and how they are done now. However, in my opinion, we still have a long way to go.
I believe that the Icelandic horsemanship is now as it has been a few times before, on an important „crossroads “.
I was at the WC in Berlin for the weekend to watch all the finals. I found the atmosphere rather „dramatic “in many ways, some „disappointments“ for some riders and some „moments of glory“ for others, ...even great surprises for some.
Always after WC, I have in my mind a „one thought” that I am focusing on the next days. This „one thought“ ... kind of takes over. This time in Berlin it was how great experience it was to witness the A finals in the T1, V1 and the F1 in adult class.
I wonder if it was the Icelandic horse’s “destiny” that this time the final in T1 was done before the finals in V1 and F1.
The “so many times a World champion” in T1 Jóhann R Skúlason did it again. No surprise to anyone, but this time, he in my opinion, did it in a different way than ever before.
„Extremeness Out“
For a long time the development in the T1 competition has been:
The word that came to my mind, watching Jóhann‘s riding in these finals was „modesty“. There was no „extremeness“ in any part of his riding.
The Slow Tölt was ridden in a fitting collection for the horse and the speed fitting this horse‘s length of strides, so it looked comfortable both for horse and rider.
The rider‘s communications were invisible, meaning you could not see most of his aids, they were so fine and elegant.
When it came to the „speed-changes“ they were ridden the same way, with modesty.
Speed was clearly increased up to a good speed, good differences on slow and faster without any „extremeness“. Slowing down was done softly and also without any extremeness, it looked comfortable. The topline and shape of the horse was even and nice through the whole exercise. Aids of the rider „invisible“.
The „Fast Tölt“ was fast enough, similar speed to the others in this final. One rider was some faster and passed some horses/riders, among them Jóhann and Finnbogi. Jóhann did not let that disturb his riding and performance in any way, just kept on. Finnbogi has long strides in his Tölt and therefore may seem slower, but when you look at the whole track, you see he is just as fast as the others. The calm riding also makes it look „easy“ so there is less „circus“ going on. Calm and comfortable.
The judging
The judges in this WC proofed that extremeness is not necessary to win a competition. „Only beautiful riding“, meaning that a well prepared and well ridden horse plus a perfect contact between a rider and a horse is the goal.
As written earlier here, the F1 and V1 finals were done after the T1 and to me it seemed like the judges were under the influence of the T1 finals, when judging the other ones.
The future
Now I am trying to convince myself that these influences will colour the future. That judges everywhere judging Icelandic horse sport will remember the message the judges in the WC 2019 sent to the world. Only that will proof that WC 2019 was important for the Icelandic horse‘s future and that my feeling about “crossroads” is right?
All written here is simply my thoughts and I am hoping that there will be a discussion about the issue.
The Icelandic horse and horsemanship have been on a unbelievable journey for the last 70 years. It has developed so much that it is difficult to compare how things were done 70 years ago and how they are done now. However, in my opinion, we still have a long way to go.
I believe that the Icelandic horsemanship is now as it has been a few times before, on an important „crossroads “.
I was at the WC in Berlin for the weekend to watch all the finals. I found the atmosphere rather „dramatic “in many ways, some „disappointments“ for some riders and some „moments of glory“ for others, ...even great surprises for some.
Always after WC, I have in my mind a „one thought” that I am focusing on the next days. This „one thought“ ... kind of takes over. This time in Berlin it was how great experience it was to witness the A finals in the T1, V1 and the F1 in adult class.
I wonder if it was the Icelandic horse’s “destiny” that this time the final in T1 was done before the finals in V1 and F1.
The “so many times a World champion” in T1 Jóhann R Skúlason did it again. No surprise to anyone, but this time, he in my opinion, did it in a different way than ever before.
„Extremeness Out“
For a long time the development in the T1 competition has been:
- Higher front-leg action in all speeds....(extremeness)
- More power in the tempochanges, very quick increasing of speed up to very high speed and then late, but quick slowing down again. ....(extremeness)
- Finally very fast „Fast Tölt“ ....(extremeness)
The word that came to my mind, watching Jóhann‘s riding in these finals was „modesty“. There was no „extremeness“ in any part of his riding.
The Slow Tölt was ridden in a fitting collection for the horse and the speed fitting this horse‘s length of strides, so it looked comfortable both for horse and rider.
The rider‘s communications were invisible, meaning you could not see most of his aids, they were so fine and elegant.
When it came to the „speed-changes“ they were ridden the same way, with modesty.
Speed was clearly increased up to a good speed, good differences on slow and faster without any „extremeness“. Slowing down was done softly and also without any extremeness, it looked comfortable. The topline and shape of the horse was even and nice through the whole exercise. Aids of the rider „invisible“.
The „Fast Tölt“ was fast enough, similar speed to the others in this final. One rider was some faster and passed some horses/riders, among them Jóhann and Finnbogi. Jóhann did not let that disturb his riding and performance in any way, just kept on. Finnbogi has long strides in his Tölt and therefore may seem slower, but when you look at the whole track, you see he is just as fast as the others. The calm riding also makes it look „easy“ so there is less „circus“ going on. Calm and comfortable.
The judging
The judges in this WC proofed that extremeness is not necessary to win a competition. „Only beautiful riding“, meaning that a well prepared and well ridden horse plus a perfect contact between a rider and a horse is the goal.
As written earlier here, the F1 and V1 finals were done after the T1 and to me it seemed like the judges were under the influence of the T1 finals, when judging the other ones.
The future
Now I am trying to convince myself that these influences will colour the future. That judges everywhere judging Icelandic horse sport will remember the message the judges in the WC 2019 sent to the world. Only that will proof that WC 2019 was important for the Icelandic horse‘s future and that my feeling about “crossroads” is right?
All written here is simply my thoughts and I am hoping that there will be a discussion about the issue.