Aims

Posted Sat, 03/03/2007 - 01:00

     Aims of the association    

International Dressage & Equitation Association for Lightness Association pour La Légèreté en Equitation
 

Under the patronage of Monsieur Maurice Druon,former french government minister and permanent honorary secretary of the Académie française

Believing that the practice of modern day horsemanship has strayed from its roots and heritage, resulting in a loss of emphasis on lightness in the horse, (the lightness which is the uniquely beautiful hallmark of riding in the French tradition) Colonel Christian Carde, Jean d'Orgeix and Michel Henriquet were inspired to create ALLEGE-IDEAL.

Guided by the teachings of General L'Hotte, General Decarpentry, as well as contemporary experts in France and abroad who have and still promote horsemanship that incorporates respect of the horse and its development through lightness, ALLEGE-IDEAL will bring together those who believe that lightness is inseparable from any system of horsemanship, regardless of discipline, that emphasizes the following :

• concern for the physical and mental well-being of the horse,
• enjoyment of equestrian activities,
• skill in riding that makes it possible to help a horse reach collection in the best possible way.

ALLEGE-IDEAL therefore seeks both to promote lightness in equestrian activities, within as well as outside France, and to serve as an advocate for lightness before the official bodies such as the Fédération Française d'Equitation and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI - International Equestrian Federation), from which the association requests a strict application of FEI rules in dressage competitions, particularly article 401.

   Constitution and Organization  

ALLEGE-IDEAL is an association founded under French law.

We are honored to count the following as members of our honorary advisory  committee :

• Ms. Mariette Withages, president of the FEI Dressage commission, official international dressage judge
• Ms. Jacqueline Reverdy, former president of the Fédération Française d'Equitation 
• Mr. Henri Blanc, officer of the Haras Nationaux, honorary chief engineer of the Génie rural des Eaux et des Forêts
• Mr. Arthur Kottas Heldenberg, former écuyer en chef of the Spanish riding school of Vienna
• Mr Ignacio Rambla Algarìn, former écuyer en chef of the Royal andalusian school of Equestrian Arts
• Dr. Guilherme Borba, founder and former director of the Portuguese national school of Equestrian Arts 
• Mr. Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola, olympic champion
• Mr. Pierre Durand, olympic champion
• Mr Jean Teulère, three day event world champion - Jerez 2002
• Pr. Jean-François Chary, director of the National Veterinary School of Lyon
• Mr. Pat Parelli, creator of Parelli Natural Horsemanship
• Mr. Yves Bienaimé, founder of the Musée vivant du Cheval in Chantilly
• Dr Heuschmann
• Dr Filipe Figueiredo Graciosa, director of the Portuguese school of Equestrian Arts
• Mme Anne Van Neste d'Ieteren, présidente de la Belgian Para Equestrian Com  

     Association officers :    

President : Mr Bernard Maurel
Vice-president : Mrs Nathalie d'Orgeix
Treasurer : General Pierre Dousson
Secretary general : Mrs Lyse Martineau

     Principal activities :    

• meetings and interships (regional and national) in collaboration with public and private organizations,
• clinics, conferences and seminars in France and abroad,
• publication of a bilingual (French/English) newsletter
• creation of this bilingual internet site in which we hope you'll have pleasure in visiting and findings relevant information.

This site, just like the newsletter have a dual mission: keep our members and visitors informed of association developments, actions taken and projects underway ; and publication of articles on subjects of interest as well as reporting on regional, national and international events, a calendar of upcoming events… and naturally an " open page " reserved for members' reports and opinions as well a chat room for opinion exchanges.(volunteers for translations, photos and text supply are most welcome !)
 

     Article 401 - Object and General Principles of Dressage    

1. The object of dressage is the development of the horse into a happy athlete through harmonious education. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider. These qualities are revealed by:

2. The freedom and regularity of the paces.

• The harmony, lightness and ease of the movements.

• The lightness of the forehand and the engagement of the hindquarters, originating from a lively impulsion.

• The acceptance of the bridle, with submissiveness throughout and without any tension or resistance.

3. The horse thus gives the impression of doing, of his own accord, what is required of him. Confident and attentive, submitting generously to the control of the rider, remaining absolutely straight in any movement on a straight line and bending accordingly when moving on curved lines.

4. The walk is regular, free and unconstrained. The trot is free, supple, regular, and active. The canter is united, light and balanced. The hindquarters are never inactive or sluggish. They respond to the slightest indication of the rider and thereby give life and spirit to all the rest of his body.

5. By virtue of a lively impulsion and suppleness of the joints, free from the paralysing effects of resistance, the horse obeys willingly and without hesitation and responds to the various aids calmly and with precision, displaying a natural and harmonious balance both physically and mentally.

6. In all the work even at the halt, the horse must be "on the bit". A horse is said to be "on the bit" when the neck is more or less raised and arched according to the stage of training and the extension or collection of the pace, accepting the bridle with a light and soft contact and submissiveness throughout. The head should remain in a steady position, as a rule slightly in front of the vertical, with a supple poll as the highest point of the neck, and no resistance should be offered to the rider.

7. Cadence is shown in trot and canter, and is the result of the proper harmony that a horse shows when it moves with well-marked regularity, impulsion and balance. Cadence must be maintained in all the different trot or canter exercises and in all the variations of these paces.

8. The regularity of the paces is fundamental to dressage.

     Article 416 2.1  -  L’impulsion /  submission    

If the horse stick his tongue out of his mouth, moves it over the bit, or all the way up, if he grinds his teeth or agitates his tail, it is most of the times a sign of nervousness, tension or resistance, and judges have to acknowledge that when they're scoring, both in the score of the movement itself and in the general mark for submission. 

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