Chef d'Equipe Tom Johnson opened the West-coast USEF Spring Training clinic Friday morning (the East clinic would be held at Black Prong Equestrian Center, Florida). He welcomed attendees and introduced the schedule for the 2-day clinic, goals being continuation of consultation with farrier, riding instruction, and continued in-depth discussion of training and competition techniques. Open dialog between staff and riders was encouraged - expected - and any questions or issues that remained should be addressed. The goal is to help - to educate - to improve both the horse and riders' ability to excell, and the staff's ability to provide the best opportunity and guidance possible. He once again stressed that total focus and committment was critical.

Farrier Blake Brown opened the program with an excellent presentation on 'Recognizing a Balanced Foot'. He spoke of the principals of maintaining a balanced foot, common pitfalls and issues, ways to recognized problems related to each horse's unique conformation and locomotion, techniques for correcting problems and maintaining proper balance. After the presentation a Q&A session gave riders and staff the opportunity to discuss trimming and balance issues. Blake had evaluated the west-coast nominated horses at the previous Fall Training Squad clinic in California. This Spring clinic session gave Blake the opportunity to observe the horses again,providing a follow up on the recommendations made at the fall clinic. Following his presentation, he scheduled time to meet with each rider and re-evalutate the horses. Further recommendations would be made if necessary, confirming progress being made, or discussing various options for improving the horse's balance and locomotion.

Becky Hart, 3-time World Endurance Champion, spoke to the group on the physical and mental challenges of training and competiting at the World level. Becky is also a certified Riding Instructor and worked with riders on techniques for balanced riding and communication with the horse, and physical preparation or horse and rider for the technical challenges of the Aachen WEC course.

2006 WEC Staff Chef d'Equipe - Tom Johnson Assistant Chef d'Equipe - Jim Brown Head Vet - Ann Stuart, DVM Team Vet - Tom Timmons, DVM 2006 Observation Trials: May 20 - Owyhee 100, Oreana ID, CEI***/** May 27 - Grand Island, Rapid River MI, CEI*** June 11 - Fort Howes, Ashland MT, CEI*** Tom Johnson on expections for demonstration ride peformance: "Ride to a plan". Each rider may have a specific goal - know the goal, make a plan, ride to the plan. Selectors will be looking for solid, but not necessarily 'winning' performances. Looking for horses with good times (e.g. within an hour or so of winning time), and 'gas in the tank' at the end - a reserve that indicates that the horse and rider could be 'called on' if necessary to give extra during the last loops of the WEC. The National Team of 18 will be chosen following the demonstration trials.There will be a further demonstration trial following the Team selection, approximately 4 weeks before the WEC, location and distance (50 miles or less) will be determined after the 18 member team has been selected. Travel stress will be minimized, the goal is to demonstrate soundness and preparedness, while maintaining peak fitness.

Training and Conditioning
Marcia Smith, DVM (2-time Tevis winner, North American Endurance Champion, World Endurance Championship team member) led a discussion on training , conditioning and optimum performance. Key elements to success include:

Travel Stress
Minimizing travel stress and time needed to recover from travel is critical for optimum performance. Riders and staff shared ideas, experiences and suggestions. Team staff and veterinarians will develop protocol for travelling horses. Some considerations:

Electrolyte Supplementation
Riders discussed their individual electrolyte regimes, offering tips, suggestions, and rationale. Alex North related her experiences from using high speed treadmills. She trains 'by the numbers' and emphasized the importance of periodic blood analysis - muscle enzymes and electrolyte balance. She has personally observed (in her own horse) greater depletion in potassium levels following increased work loads, particularly extended gallops. The following are some of the rider's electrolyte regimes (all emphasized that these are just approximations, it always depends on the horse, the difficulty, and the weather (heat/humidity):

Marcia spoke on the concern of electrolytes and ulcers: Studies have shown that many horses (over half of a control study group) have ulcers. Symptoms and severity vary with individuals including loss of appetite, poor hair coat, weight loss and colic symptoms. Studies have also shown that the number and depth of ulcers increases with frequent administration of oral electrolytes. Gastroguard (omeprezole) is the most effective treatment for ulcers. Full protocol is necessary to eliminate ulcers , and a protocol of 1/2 dose per day can be effective towards maintenance and prevention. When administering electrolytes a buffer can somewhat reduce the irritation to mucous membranes and stomach lining. Be sure to rinse the mouth after dosing. Addition of oil, sugar, yoghurt, ricebran can make electrolytes more palatable, less irritating.