FORMER Olympic and reigning European show jumping champion Steve Guerdat packed a punch with his insightful words when addressing the attendees of the Royal Dublin Society’s (RDS) Coaching for the Future Symposium last Thursday.

Held at St Mary’s Church on the grounds of the RDS, the conference welcomed heavyweight speakers and panellists from the world of coaching, High Performance and equine welfare from around the globe for a full day on the subject of the future of coaching and how equestrian sport is changing under the microscope of public perception and horse welfare.

Joining via a web link, Steve Guerdat made up part of the ‘Coaching in the Future’ panel alongside international course designer Alan Wade, Ireland’s senior show jumping High Performance manager Michael Blake and MC William Micklem.

Guerdat, a former FEI riders’ representative and board member of the International Jumping Riders’ Club (IJRC), is known for standing up for his sport at all costs. “What is always important in my eyes is that I am able to speak and have a voice in my sport. I always speak openly about what I believe in and, if something is not going in the right direction, I don’t mind criticising. I try to join my actions with my voice.”

Asked by Micklem if the FEI listen to rider concerns, Guerdat replied: “It is too easy to say the FEI don’t listen, but I wish that sport would be only about sport but you have to deal with some other aspects of the industry whether you like it or not. It’s not easy to find the right balance between sport and politics.”

Outside world

On the topic of horse welfare and public perception, Guerdat said:

“We know that we have a mission now that we didn’t have years ago - it’s the outside world, it’s the welfare of the horse which is the central point of every discussion we have at the moment.

"I think that we riders do have to take our responsibility just like the course designer does. We [riders] are sometimes a bit sensitive when we hear about a new rule and say ‘no, we want to keep going like we always did’ and this is just not possible.

“Do we need [to] forbid things? I don’t think so. But do we need regulations? Yes.

"And whatever it is - the matter of spurs or noseband or bits that we use, I do believe that we cannot just do what we’ve always done.

“We can explain to the outside world what we do and why we do it; the people that just don’t understand what we do I think we have a responsibility to explain why, how, so that we can turn the mind around and they can see from their own eyes that we’re doing something really nice to the horses. The sport has a fantastic future and we, as riders, need to take some responsibility in the future and for the next generation, it’s very important that we teach them right.”

Alan Wade explained that horse welfare is “paramount” from a course designer’s point of view. “We will always try to protect the horse in relation to what fences we will design and are they suitable.

“It is a test of horse and rider. You’re actually testing two living beings that are working together. So first and foremost, when I design something, I am thinking what the horse may see, what they may be wary of and I try and respect that and give the horse a fair chance.”

In relation to the sport in general, Wade added: “We should be proactive rather than reactive as course designers, as riders, as coaches. We need to foresee and always be trying to educate and improve ourselves.”

Sanctions

Michael Blake added that the sport is evolving and perception is of utmost importance. “Perception isn’t always perceived exactly the same by everybody else.

"We’re in a place now where sport is evolving and, if we don’t evolve with it, there won’t be a sport. You have to put horses where they are comfortable and you have to make them comfortable.”

In a discussion about rollker (hyperflexion) in dressage, the incorrect use of spurs, draw reins and other ‘gadgets’, Guerdat gave a passionate response.

“I believe that we should go more with yellow cards, red cards. I believe that once you have two yellow cards, then why not just tell the rider to stay at home for two weeks. Maybe that’s something that can help judges have respect from the riders and help the riders think a little bit more about what they do because mistakes can happen. This is my vision, it will take more time on the topic.”

New ways of coaching

Speaking from experience, Michael Blake said “coaching is different to what it used to be” and he should know as a trainer to many in his career from starting with his own children before becoming involved with the young rider teams in Ireland and eventually getting the top Irish senior job.

Many riders in this day and age have coaches for flat work, jumping, fitness, mindset, explained Michael.

“I do find the benefit of the professional coaches that our riders have. It’s something that is given to you as an advantage and I always try to take that because these people have vast, vast experience, and why would you not take good advice if you’re getting it?”

Guerdat paid compliments to the Irish system of riders having individual private coaches.

“I believe that this is a very Irish thing and probably very American as well and that is probably why they’re very successful. What I can see, whatever it is in my country or countries around, I often wonder why the riders - young or old - do not have coaches or not enough coaches.

“They spend so much money on gear, trucks, on horses and everything around but they don’t have the most important thing, which is the coach. This is why Ireland has so much success from young ages. I am often really surprised myself that so many people try to save money in coaching.”