Rollkur

[2][4] The FEI moved to ban the practice following the release of video of Swedish dressage rider Patrik Kittel using rollkur during a competition warm-up, where the horse's tongue appeared to turn blue as a result of the manoeuvre.

[7][8] In 2008 at the FEI Dressage World Cup, the 15 highest-scoring equine competitors spent the majority of performance time in hyperflexion in all primary gaits.

[9] In 2014 a study found out of 355 horses in a competition environment, 69% were behind the vertical, an umbrella term referring to all hyperflexion - including the most severe instance, rollkur.

Baucher, however, asked for hyperflexion while placing emphasis on maintaining forwardness and impulsion, using a technique referred to as ‘ramener outre’.

[11][15] Horses ridden in hyperflexion show more conflict behaviors (resistance to the rider's commands) and signs of discomfort, even at the highest level of competition, indicating that the posture is aversive even after prolonged training and experience.