Dressage is an essentially individual activity unsullied by the team ethic that infects such real sports as cricket and rugby. It really is every man/woman for him/herself. As a THF you can soon get into the swing of things where “good luck” means “hope that pheasant hops out at D again”, and “lovely new horse” means unprintable things about another THF. The sense of anticipation as a particular rival enters the arena in a high wind is especially acute, akin to the show jumping ring where “oh bad luck” signifies 3 fences down, a refusal and a merry jig behind the horse box. There are of course teams in dressage but, other than those put together through patronage etc for national/international purposes, these tend to be impervious circles of acolytes revolving round a rider and combining grooms, family (to the extent not watching TV at home) THF and other supporters, each circle oblivious to other revolving circles floating like schools of jelly fish around a show, intersecting only occasionally at the score board for the “oh well done” (for meaning see above). Dressage is of course intensely personal, and plays on the paranoia of participants who are constantly subject to the vagaries of horse behaviour, conditions and the extraordinary and incomprehensible vicissitudes of judges.
How to survive the world of Dressage (and related activity) – Observations from the Frozen Ringside
3 AprMuch is written by and of equestrian dressage stars and wannabees. To the uninitiated a narcissistic vortex of media mash; to the cognoscenti an unending source of interest and inspiration. Much less however is heard of the (increasingly) poor “support” team, that has little interest in horses and none in dressage other than that acquired innocently and unexpectedly through marriage and blood ties. But without whom none of the first category would survive.
The Horse Funder knows his place and his role as deeply subordinated funder of first and last resort, required to have no opinion other than the right one (i.e. that of the Funded). There have of course been some bold THF’s who have expressed a personal and independent view. The silence and looks of disdain that follow such foolish outbursts ensure these are limited and that the true order of things is soon restored.
After 25 years of watching and listening it seems only right to set out a number of observations and some rules of the road. The focus is on the true novice THF, but there are useful digressions outlining steps towards higher levels of horse funding. I cannot hope to dissuade, but merely inform, the novice THF who may be setting out on a career of expense and disappointment with innocent optimism and an as yet undefiled cheque book.
So…..it is a truth universally acknowledged that a young female in possession of an averagely wealthy parent and an equestrian bent is in need of therapy. Unfortunately the world does not operate like that and what they get is a series of inescapable temptations and opportunities put in their way to satisfy their desires and deplete the family coffers. The most common amongst these are set out in these notes. Many have yet to be observed and categorised for they are legion. They will however be exposed…
thehorsefunder 