(“Actions speak louder than bling.”)

So what’s the difference between a “hotdog” and a “schmuck?” The simple answer is that they behave in approximately the same way, but the hotdog succeeds and gets away with it every time, and the schmuck always screws up and falls flat on his face. An outfielder making a basket catch, a slamdunk on the basketball court, a double canter pirouette–you can try them, but if you do, they had better work!

This rule should govern other ostentatious displays in the dressage world as well. If you have fancy tackroom drapes, you had better not be getting 47% in your third level tests. In my mind this also applies to how both you and your horse dress for the show ring. My motto is “Actions speak louder than bling.” If you’re going to show it off, the performance behind it had better be good!

I have already gone on record as being unimpressed with the trend to Las Vegasize dressage. Our sport has always projected a sort of dignity–not stuffiness but something finer than big tail fins, cigarette smoke, too much lipstick, and high headed horses that rack. I’m just campaigning not to give it all back!

c