1) The articles that describe what dressage should be are not being followed, why are the judges ignoring the standard? Hess had no good answer for that
2) When Hess countered that training is different than showing, and that a horse can be ridden behind the vertical to achieve the vertical during competition, Karl asked (basically) “Why? A standard is a standard………”
3) When Hess gave (rather faint) praise on Karl’s “problem” student and the improvement both her and her horse made under Karl’s instruction, but then countered with what he would have done differently, Karl countered “Well, what I did WORKED, and in a short period of time.”
4) Karl was completely correct when he said that when art becomes a sport and money gets involved (breeders, trainers etc.) things are going to go downhill for the horse – that’s the same in ANY discipline.

These things to me were game-set-match for Mr. Karl because there is no way that Mr. Hess could refute those arguments.

I did think that Mr. Hess made a good point when he said that Karl’s demonstration horse clearly loved jumping, and he should be in a show jumping type of career because horses should be allowed to do what they love to do. But, his further criticism was off base. I did NOT think the little black horse was unhappy with his dressage work at all, he just liked jumping better.

I also really appreciated seeing the Spanish Walk done correctly and I now understand it’s value because it 1) stretches the connective tissue in the shoulder in a gentle manner, 2) strengthens the small upper muscles of the shoulder and back 3) clearly provides a good rythmic gymnastic exercise as a prelude for passage and piaffe.

Good video and I’m glad I joined HORSEFLIX!