Sjef Janssen and Anky van Grunsven are suing Astrid Appels of Eurodressage. See this article for more information, and please GO HERE to sign a petition in support of not only Astrid Appels, but the right to report freely in the press.
The irony of Janssen and van Grunsven suing over a photograph that is in the public domain, shows Anky riding in rollkur or hyperflexion or LDR, whichever name they choose to give it, after both have expounded widely claiming the invention of this system of riding, is huge, but the reasoning is clear.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
signed it
ReplyDeleteGreta
Thank you, Greta!
ReplyDeleteDone! They've got some nerve don't they. You just can't make this stuff up.
ReplyDeleteArlene, it defies logic. If you read the article, Sjef has also shown his true colors in private emails to Astrid Appels.
ReplyDeleteIf you want a laugh go read Fugly's take on this. I should have linked it too!
Thanks for the link Billie. Signed it. I am afraid I do feel pessimistic about this one. This is about legalities I think, rollkur/hyperflexion has now been banned so they cannot be associated with it, only with LDR. It is a total sham. One day, I hope, people will look back at this period as regards dressage and ask how could it all have been allowed.
ReplyDeleteMind you there is so much about the life of dressage horses that I hate: no turn-out being a big one, plus many top competition horses in any sport, but that is another subject....I enjoyed reading Fugly's article, plus her linked rollkur one. She really tells it like it is, very refreshing. I was not familiar with her blog, I will keep an eye on it now.
You're right that this is about legalities and that they must distance themselves from something they have said many times they invented, and which Anky is shown doing in photos and videos all over the internet.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a horse that had been ruined by the technique they still teach in clinics and in their own arena, I would take my own course of legal action.
Glad you enjoyed Fugly! I am right there with you about the life of the competition dressage horses (and other disciplines). I think I finally decided I just don't want anything to do with competition, period. I certainly won't support any more FEI sponsored shows. I might throw my support behind a classically-trained horse and rider team who are clearly taking the high road but that's it until things change for the better. I hope they will.
Thank you so much everyone. I started the petition and the Support Astrid Appels - keep reporting !!! group on Facebook. We who are actively supporting Astrid would laove to have you all join us there. The discussions are friendly, sometimes sarcastic, but all with the aim to spread 2 messages . 1 Support Astrid. 2 Stop LDR /RK
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise!
ReplyDelete