(” If it’s not a word he claims to use, his legs haven’t gotten that message!”)

If you don’t want to end up with as many Pinocchios behind your name as the “I did not have sex with that woman”/”I am not a crook” Presidential prevaricators, then take my advice: At all costs avoid making dressage proclamations that include the words NEVER or ALWAYS. They may look good on Facebook rants, but sooner or later they’re going to come back and bite you in the ass. Examples?

Three very prominent people who certainly should know better—The first one can remain nameless because although she has competed in Europe, her legend is clearly larger in her own mind than anywhere else. In print she had the temerity to say “I do everything with my seat and legs. I do nothing at all with my hands.” Even at face value this is a preposterous statement. Having seen her ride, its veracity is even more suspect if that’s possible. But here she is foisting utter nonsense onto unsuspecting novice riders who want to grow up to be just like her. This is not to say that less hand – especially hands which intimidate or dominate – isn’t a bad concept to endorse. But NO hand? Not even as a modifier? C’mon, CHS, get real.

Liar Liar Number Two I will identify. It was Robert Dover who while conducting an Advanced Young Rider clinic declared “You can give the inside rein but NEVER the outside one.” Really? That makes good copy, but it has next to nothing to do with the nuances of how people really ride. The Third Level test which requires uberstreichen — the simultaneous yielding of both reins — makes complete hash of his statement.

And third: the inimitable George Morris, a champion of refinement, embarrassed himself in print by saying “The word ‘kick’ isn’t even in my vocabulary!” I can tell you firsthand from having witnessed him schooling some recalcitrant jumpers that if it’s not a word he claims to use, his legs haven’t gotten that message!

Is there a conclusion to draw here? Maybe that instructor/trainers have been known to fall into the disingenuous sound bite mode of quack politicians. They should do better. You should know better than to believe them.