>>Actually, the 'stock' horse people could have
horses that are in better condition, too, if they rode them to condition
them...most people take them to events and spend no time inbetween (except
for an occasional practice or afternoon trail ride which translates to 8
miles in 6 hours maybe) conditioning them to build their lungs and cardio
and muscles, etc. the way we do our endurance horses. How much better
athletes they would be! :)<<
Absolutely. I went to watch
our National Derby the other day. It's a long track for a showjumping
competition 1600 metres, with all of the fences at maximum height for
International A grade. By the fourth to last fence, most of the horses
were tiring. Interesting that the riders who did the best were those
whose horses get regular road work as well as schooling : they had the
stamina and the "legs" to carry them round that awesome
track.
Tracey