'Scandal' at the Para Dressage World Championships: Harmony

An uproar at the World Championships: While the regular dressage arena otherwise regularly transforms into a scene of subtle psychological warfare, teeth-grinding, gaping mouths, cramped hands and horses, and spur kicking, yesterday TV viewers of the team showjumping competition were presented with a sight that is simply unacceptable in modern equestrian sport.

At the center of the scandal: Para dressage, which dared to shock the judges and the unfortunately sparse on-site audience with a demonstration of - it must be said quite plainly and with a deep sigh - harmony.

The Bitter Exposure of High-Performance Sport

How dare they so unblushingly celebrate the sacred tense bond between human and horse?!?! The horse moved largely contentedly, showed buttery-soft gaits, and appeared - under the circumstances - shockingly relaxed. There was no trace of the usual imagery of frantic spur-tapping or the convulsively fixed hands of regular dressage.

Even as a TV viewer one - at least the author of this article - was practically coerced into an almost meditatively relaxed, awestruck state. And that despite the fact that no canter whatsoever was shown in the test. Where was the drama? Where was the adrenaline rush of whether the animal would take off or open its mouth even wider? It was simply beautiful to watch. Sure, the para dressage was simpler and maybe not everything was perfect, but the horse made a contented impression with light gaits.

Why Para Dressage Must Be Banned Urgently

 * Unprecedented Fairness: When riders with physical disabilities demonstrate fine aids and a softer hand, it turns our entire worldview upside down.

 * Danger of Boredom: Viewership numbers for regular dressage could plummet if no one can get upset anymore about tense, stressed horses and questionable judge rulings simply because everything was quite lovely to look at.

 * The Danger of Popularity: Para equestrian sport could suddenly get more attention than regular equestrian sport.

 * Contented Animals: A horse moving relaxed and content under the saddle? In modern high-performance sports, that is almost a subversive act.

Conclusion

The ride was a scandalous proof that less is sometimes more - and that riding with the horse and with feeling for the horse is often more important than entertainment and spectacle.

symbolic picture