With Henning Lehrmann are (L-R) Mura Love, Peter and Debbie Barke, Andrea Raves, Sue Hobson, Linda Warren-Davey, Betty Brown, Helen Hughes-Keen, Barbara Chalmers, Kirsty Schist, Myra Friend and Leonie Coker.
The New Zealand Dressage Bates National Championships were fortunate to welcome internationally respected German FEI 5* judge Henning Lehrmann, who attended the event in multiple capacities—as a judge, coach, and keynote presenter in two Seminars for Coaches and Judges, sponsored by the Gemco Group. Lehrmann, a former Grand Prix rider, is deeply embedded in the sport not only through judging but also as a trainer, owner, and developer of young horses. His daughter is an active dressage competitor, giving him a broad, multi‑generational view of the discipline.
After completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing that day—an achievement he jokingly described as “a warmup” for Nationals—Lehrmann spent Wednesday afternoon in discussion with a group of Coaches organised by the DNZ Development Committee. The session centred on the evolving expectations of welfare in modern dressage and the shared responsibility across the sport.
Below are the key messages he delivered.
- Unity Across the Sport Is Essential
Lehrmann stressed that riders, trainers, judges, and stewards must act as a cohesive community. Internal division only amplifies external criticism.
“The stewards are not the riders’ enemies. If we fight each other, it becomes impossible to explain to the outside world how good our sport really is.”
- Judging Now Looks Beyond Appearance to How a Horse Is Ridden
A technically correct silhouette is no longer enough. Judges and stewards are increasingly focused on training quality, contact, and biomechanics.
“Two horses can look the same behind the vertical—but one is ridden correctly from behind to the front, and the other is not. Riding from the hind leg to the hand, he said, is “non‑negotiable.”
- Harmony Matters—But Not at the Expense of Impulsion
While harmony is a core judging principle, Lehrmann warned against confusing relaxation with a lack of athleticism. True harmony should coexist with power and correct hind‑leg activity.
- Welfare Standards Around the Mouth Have Tightened
Lehrmann highlighted a shift in how physical signs of stress or injury—especially in the mouth—are assessed. Mouth injuries are now treated with the same seriousness as lameness.
“If a horse is lame, you don’t compete. Now we must think the same way about the mouth.”
He emphasised that welfare responsibility is shared, particularly by trainers working with young riders.
- Social Media Criticism Is Often Louder Than It Is Large
While online criticism can feel overwhelming, Lehrmann urged the sport not to let social media distort its perception of public sentiment.
“Social media is maybe 500 or 1,000 very loud people. That is not the world.” The real danger, he said, lies in allowing online pressure to dictate horse training and competition practices.
- Standards Must Rise—Without Over‑Sanitising Dressage
Lehrmann cautioned against turning the sport into something over‑managed or artificially polished. Extra handlers, unnecessary exemptions, or overly strict presentation requirements risk undermining the authenticity and horsemanship at the heart of dressage.