Les 4 écoles d'Art Equestre 2012

I had a busy day yesterday, went off to Paris to see the four equestrian schools at Bercy.
I had a great time, it was tiring (Paris there and back in a day!), but well worth it.
The four schools are;

 

l’Ecole Espagnole d’Equitation de Vienne,
le Cadre Noir de Saumur,
l’Ecole Royale Andalouse d’Art Equestre ,
et
l’Ecole Portugaise d’Art Equestre

See here for their website
http://www.bercy.fr/programme/spectacle/1302/Les_4_%C3%A9coles_d'Art_Equestre

Lots of excellent stuff, but, surprisingly (or not) some things that I didn't like.

Despite rumours that the Spanish riding school have lowered their standards, they showed some excellent work, although, I thought the side reins were a little too tights on a couple of the horses working in-hand (just my opinion, and, after all, what do I know!).
The Portugese where excellent too, and the Cadre Noir held their own, but I was very disappointed with the Andalouse (spanish school, not to be confused with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna), who didn't seem to have the finesse of the other schools. Some of their horses looked quite tense and uncomfortable and were requently showing incorrect work. One of their riders, who was showing in a pas de deux, was so unbalanced and uncoordinated that it was embarassing, and I can't understand why on earth they put him in there in the first place!
The horses were beautiful though, and they were the stars. The riders (on the whole) were faultless, and, to be honest,when they're so good, you don't see them, just the horse, which is how it should be in my opinion.
I have some pics, but not sure how they'll turn with my little dinky camera and questionable photography skills. I haven't looked at them yet as I'm knackered today, but will get to it.
Here are some vids from the performance yesterday. Not mine as I forgot my video camera :-(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSq8smmNr9k&feature=share&list=ULQSq8smmNr9k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeuZdZDYfWU&feature=share&list=ULTeuZdZDYfWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMR-z6QfD7k&feature=share&list=ULMMR-z6QfD7k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7HX58Um2FI&feature=share&list=ULc7HX58Um2FI

If you want to see more, I'm sure there will be a few on youtube.

Aren't horses wonderful creatures!!