For the past several years it would have necessitated living under a rock to have missed the rollkur controversy here in the US. Team coach and prominent vet touring the country speaking out against the method, accusations flying, riders condemned. Lots of fun. About a year ago I noticed a horse rider combo flying up the ranks, their videos being posted in various forums with accompanying oohs and ahhs. Personally I thought the horse looked rollkur trained and waited for even more tongue wagging to ensue. Occasionally something negative and rollkur related would be posted, but I also noted that for the most part, even those with dramatic anti rollkur sentiments seemed to armchair judge the horse favorably.
I found a video of the horse in training:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZkAqyniCgE
Definitely there are moments within the video that I would consider being rollkur.
And now, a more recent video of the pair setting the world record.
http://horseandcountry.tv/episode/Edward-Gal-and-Moorlands-Totilas-Record-Breaking-WDM-Kur
The last official statement (that I know of) to come out of the FEI is "There are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of hyperflexion, however there are serious concerns for a horse's well-being if the technique is not practiced correctly. The FEI condemns hyperflexion in any equestrian sport as an example of mental abuse. The FEI states that it does not support the practice."
And yet it seems that a rollkur trained horse is setting records while competing at FEI level events. Interesting. I've come to the conclusion that in regard to rollkur, I do not have an opinion.
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