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2005
FEI/PSI Freestyle Forum
Freestyle, "Free
Style" ?
 The
last heated discussion at the 2005 FEI/PSI Freestyle
Forum was once again between David Hunt and Stephen
Clarke, a British duo which has become notorious for
its rivaling opinions and constant public clashes,
but without affecting the bonds of friendship.
Hunt's main complaint aimed at the plethora of rules
and regulations on the freestyle, which actually limit
the freestyle in its potential and creativity. "There
are restrictions and rules on one movement [e.g. triple
pirouette not allowed] and then there are movements
which are not regulated," Hunt complained. "There
has to be more logic behind it. With all these rules,
you
police it [the sport]." International judge Uwe
Mechlem agreed with Hunt. "There are too many
limitations on the freestyle. Riders no longer have
the possibility
to be original."
 What one could conclude -- after
sitting
through the 2005 FEI Freestyle forum -- is that
the kur is called a freestyle, but there is little
room
for
a
"free style". Withages talked about discipline
becomes art and art becomes discipline, but isn't total
freedom of creativity one of the major characteristics
of "Art" ?
Judge Moritz repeated that all these rules are in
the welfare of the horse. "We like to see quality
of gaits and classical dressage in the freestyle,"
he said. "It is not our aim in this sport to exaggerate.
You have to put a rule, a stop somewhere." Carsten
Sostmeier believed that rules are there "to open
up possibilities." Withages stated that "we
should not lose artisticity. If it is done with ease,
it is good.
Some horses have better flying changes or half passes.
In the freestyle, they can hide their problem points
and show the strong points."
 The
freestyle forum concluded with four final highlight
rides. Falk Rosenbauer on Don Jos, Louise Nathhorst
on Guinness, Ignacio Ramblas on Distinguido and Juan
Antonio Garcio Mena on Lance showed
their kur to music. Each kur was introduced by the
trainer, who talked about
their choice in choreography and music. These four
rides
were a nice illustration of the principles, rules and
techniques of freestyle riding discussed during this
two-day forum.
In a final farewell speech, judge Stephen Clarke said
that "this forum was so special. Mariette has
wonderful ideas, but this was the most inspired. Situations
like
this bring the sport forward. To me, it's one of the
best things that has happened so far." Withages
was also very satisfied with the first Freestyle
Forum.
"Four years ago, I set transparency as one of
my goals. As a chairman I am happy to have demystified
much here
at this forum."
 The
2005 FEI/PSI Freestyle Forum was a big success for
the judges, who wanted to set the record straight
about their rules and regulations, and announce the
newest changes in the rule book on freestyle riding.
The organization of the forum, done by P.S.I., was
once again impeccable. Unfortunately, the lack of interaction
with the audience was a low point at
the forum. Maybe next year, the people in the stands
can be more involved in the discussions by giving them
access to a microphone and, for instance, by letting
them act as 'ad interim' judges (giving scores to the
demo
riders,
telling the 'real' judges what they liked about the
choreography
and music). Even though people from 20 nations were
present at the forum, the forum seemed to be a German
pow wow. The lack of time for the organization and
extensive promotion of this forum, as well as the expensive
entrance fee, can be the cause of this. Hopefully next
year, Mariette's "globalization" project
can eventuate at the forum. Nevertheless, at the 2005
FEI/PSI Freestyle Forum the first stone has been laid
for a way to an open debate on
the
future
of
(freestyle)
dressage.
Text
and Images Copyrighted Astrid
Appels/Eurodressage.com - No Reproduction allowed
without explicit permission
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