“...It is of no concern to the circus rider if a few connoisseurs, enlightened by their equestrian education, are saddened by the perversion of their art in his presentations. They are a minute number and only pay for a few seats, whilst the uninitiated are a legion and it is they who swell the takings.
The circus rider must arouse the enthusiasm of the ”philistines” by his stunts, acrobatics and airs of bravura. Extravagance of movements, sometimes even frenzy, are necessary to enchant the audience, rather than purity of style.
However real his talent may be, the circus rider is obliged to twist his artistic conscience and, as General l'Hotte said: ”sacrifices to false gods.””
If this description of ”the circus” gave you chills, you are not alone. To me, it could have been written today about FEI dressage. But it wasn't. Decarpentry believed that the FEI would save classical dressage from extinction and even, in time, make it better. He did not foresee that it would turn into his idea of circus.
This entire article is gold.
