Classical riding club dressage training tests

[Sarah]

hello!

I just found this internet site http://www.equiweb.co.uk/societies_clubs/crc/dressage_tests.htm

It seems that you get a totally different way of marking used in these, and you can use a pelham! Does anyone know anything more about these?

bye!

[Heather]

Hi Sarah,

Yes, I am a member of the Classical Riding Club, and know Sylvia Loch, it's founder and inventor of the test system. I also know the CRC director of dressage, Mike Fleming, who is also a list 3 dressage judge. The tests are very good, and concentrate much more on the rider as well as just the horse. They are gaining in popularity, but the biggest problem is finding judges who won't judge them in the typical competition way, and who truly understand Classical principles and ideals.

The Club also offers a good quarterly newsletter, with some interesting articles- I write for it too- if you would like info on how to join, write or fax the club at Eden Hall, Kelso Roxburghshire, TD5 7QD, Fax 01890 830667.


Heather

[Sarah]

Heather,

Now how could i just guess that you would know about this! I wasn't sure whether to just email you directly to find out more!

Do you know if they are active in the South at all?

bye!

[fran]

Hi Sarah - I've just joined the Classical Riding Club, having read about in Lesley Skipper's wonderful book. They publish a list of trainers all over the country (Heather included, of course) and abroad, all listed with a quote from each about what they believe classical riding to be about (a brilliant idea). There are some trainers in the south, and the Club also has one member who's available on the phone to answer classical riding questions. I'm about to start trying to find a trainer in the South East using their directory. The club newsletter is good, too.

[cynthia]

wow, this sounds fantastic, just from reading the web page. not too long ago, there was a thread on the UDSF board regarding something similar - an attempt to steer dressage judging away from scoring big, fancy movers highly and leaving the rest of the riders with nice, accurate, and correct movements but no big fancy warmbloods by the wayside. :> i wish we had something like the CRC in the US!!! :(

any thoughts on this, anyone?

[fran]

Hi Cyn - there are a couple of teaching members of the CRC in the US, and a US liason member...will try and remember to bring the names into work tomorrow so that I can pass them on to you.

[Heather]

I attended the inaugural meeting of the CRC in the US last June, as the British representative- it was held at the Equitana in Kentucky.

It was a great meeting, full of enthusiasm, and I have to say that I think it will take off better in the States than it has here, because it is less devolved around one 'personality' as it is here in the UK.

I can understand Sylvia's reasons for not wanting a committee (just think of Parish Council meetings, and you will get my drift!)
but a lot of people in the mainstream dressage world think of the CRC as Sylvia Loch's personal fan club, and I feel that it is holding up the credibility of the Club as an alternative to Britsh Dressage, the governing body of the sport here. Now I am not saying anything here that I haven't already said to Sylvia herself, but the membership is stuck at around 700 worldwide, as opposed to say 67,000 for the BHS, and I relly think that it needs to be opened up a bit more if it is to reach it's full, and obvious potential.

Heather