Today we’ll set the Way Back Machine for . . .

 

Everybody has a “Back in the Day” set of remembrances. Like “back when Hootie and the Blowfish were really rockin’ out . . .” Or whenever. My dad remembered going outside to see the Graf Zeppelin pass overhead. He remembered being excited about Lindbergh. And Benny Goodman. Times, by their definition, change, and no amount of nostalgia retards their passing.

The same happens in the horse world. (Probably) for better, dressage and eventing and hunters are no longer the sole province of “those born to a higher station.” There’s at least a little room in the meritocracy for a person with touch, feel, persistence, (and a degree of luck), to make a name these days. Doesn’t hurt if you own a candy company or have made multimillions selling records, understand, but assuming you’re good enough and willing to play the game, there’s space for those of—perhaps not “humble”—but let us say “nominal” origins.

Unless you’re immersed in a bubble or your live-streaming internet is on the blink, you know all about the multinational conglomerates that define the gargantuan industry that international dressage competition, breeding, and sales have become. It wasn’t always thus, and sometimes it’s fun to reminisce.

 

A friend (who may not want to be identified so I’ll just say her initials are Ellen Merkle) presented me with an amazing gift earlier this year. On eBay she came across a show program from the 1956 International Horse Show at Hanstead House (outside London) nearly 60 years ago. It’s a fascinating look back at some history before dressage lost its innocence. 1956, of course, was just 10 years removed from the conclusion of a ravaging world war. The unfathomable disruption of the economy and the land itself is reflected in the tiny entry—most local shows in our area today are far larger, and this was already four years after the ’52 Olympics were held in post-war London.

Here’s a photo of the venue—a fairly fancy backyard which over the years upon the owner’s heir’s death became an American Christian college and now an upscale housing community. Leesburg, VA, and South Hamilton, MA, with an Etonian accent.

I had the good fortune to clinic at a similar manse in more northern England—a beautiful place to do dressage! It sure beats a dusty fairgrounds.

The first thing that struck me looking through the program was the roster of luminaries—the big time names who were always referenced in the horse books I read growing up: The Duke of Beaufort, Col. V.D.S. Williams, Dorian Williams, R.S. Summerhayes, and among the judges Lt. Col Gustav Nybleaus, who 15 years later had achieved his full colonelship and become Chairman of the FEI Dressage Committee. On the list of competitors was Mrs. Lorna Johnstone. She rode in three Olympic Games, and at age 69 became the oldest female ever to represent Great Britain in one. Years later (1982) I missed out on a luncheon date with her because she had a cold—my misfortune. At the age of 80 she had just started a new four year old prospect.

Also it was fascinating to note the size of the horses who were competing. More than half of the horses listed were under 16 hands, one as small as 14.3. Only one was billed as 17 hands high. In the PSG the average height was a little more than 15.2.

 

Items of note in the Prix St. George of that era:

1. A twelve minute time limit to perform the test.
2. Ordinary trot as well as Collected, and an Extended trot to be performed rising.
3. A set of six meter circles from the centerline to be ridden with the reins in one hand.
4. A more difficult arrangement of the half canter pirouettes than we are used to.
5. A line of 4 tempis but no 3s.
6. The marks to be given from 0 to 6.
7. Three Collectives: the first two broken down differently than the custom today.

 

The Medium dressage test appears to be about the difficulty of today’s Second Level.

1. The double bridle is specified.
2. Voltes are smaller—8 meters.
3. There are just two Collectives or “General Impression” marks, one dealing with the horse and one with the rider. No coefficients emphasize their importance.

 

The Elementary test

1. May be ridden in a snaffle which can be straight or with a single joint.
2. Otherwise, it isn’t much easier than the Medium test. It still has simple changes and turns on the haunches.
3. Again there are just two collective marks given.

 

We always think of hide bound tradition in everything Dressage. It’s so interesting

to see how different some things were.

 

Here, you can link to the program itself. 1956__Show_Program

Thanks again, Ellen!