Book review: Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage

By Robert Smith, Q.C., 17 June 2008
 
 
We have been observing the slow emergence of high profile criticism of methods in competition dressage over the last few years and the issue is gathering impetus.  In 2004 the ecuyer Michel Henriquet (Henriquet on Dressage: J. A. Allen) explained that he had begun to react with hostility to misleading forms of dressage equitation. He had sent an angry note to the Commission of Dressage of the French Equestrian Federation concerning the "misdeeds" of both a "stifling" type of dressage equitation and one that is in other respects too lax. 

He was rewarded with a severe reprimand.  He reminded us that Articles 401 and 417 of the Rules of the FEI, stipulating the general goals and principles and position and aids of the rider, contained no set penalty for serious transgressions of those requirements – which can be stated as follows: ...