>>> When he is teaching he does not advocate sitting back on the loins or >>> placing the saddle back on the loins. However, what I have noticed is >>> this seems to occur mostly when he is in the show ring or taking a >>> horse for evaluations. He is being paid top dollar to make the horse >>> win or get first prize. Unfortunately I suspect that has a lot to do >>> with why he rides like this for shows and evaluations. I am sure this >>> happens in some form for all breeds being pushed to win.
Gudmar has a choice. He could ride otherwise in the shows if he CHOSE to. He doesn't, so I don't have much patience with him...and there are unflattering names for people who go against their principals for the money. (Assuming he is going against his principals, and maybe he's not.) He's a kid - he could still learn. He could CHOOSE to really become a student of natural horsemanship or of dressage, or of some form of serious horsemanship, and not set himself up to give clinics on topics he doesn't understand. At his young age, he should be studying and learning with some masters, on some valid subjects, gaining perspective, specially if he's going to continue to live in the USA. He could CHOOSE to give lessons only, or train horses only. He doesn't HAVE to ride for pay in evaluations and in shows. It's his choice - he doesn't have to do these things. Who is "pushing" him to win? I don't see that angle at all. BTW, I believe that picture was taken at an evaluation. Evaluations are BREEDING evaluations. Isn't it really, really stupid that people think they can PAY the rider to make their horse into a better breeding animal? Do they really think that gaits derived from loin-sitting, chair-seated riders will be passed on to the offspring? Sheesh. Shame on Gudmar for valuing money more than the horses. HE could be one to step up and take a stand, but he hasn't. I still say the little boy deserves a spanking for riding like that. Karen Thomas, NC
