Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Rider size

Hi Lori
If you think you have to sacrifice athletic ability for size, go to my 
web site and see who my clients have been, working with Halynov 
offspring--- Becky Hart, Valerie Kanavy (her Halynov son Pico Nightrider 
was 16.1 and the mare she purchased was 15.2), Donna Snyder-Smith, 
Red Shield Equestrian (Frank's Halynov son is 15.3).... and 
on...Obviously these people know what they are doing in the endurance 
arena and none of them were put off by Halynov's 16.2 size. In fact, 
look at the track record of Pico--- even beat Val consistently on the 
horse she herself was riding. He did very well for Kristen but due to 
traumatic experiences at the race track, he was a one-owner horse--- 
needed to build up trust. When she decided he didn't have the confidence 
for a world competitor, she graciously sold him to a dressage competitor 
who fell in love with him. Again, a person looking for extraordinary 
athletic ability.
Tall Arabs are not for everyone (and I call any Arabian over 15 hands 
tall, as do most). In fact, my favorite trail horse used to be 
Summitt--- a 14.2 Negatraz son--- less far to fall to the ground as we 
were toodling on rough terrain--- a comfort issue. But my husband does 
not feel right on a small mount--- feels like it is unfair to the horse 
and that he looks ridiculous. Whether you agree with him or not is 
irrelevant--- what is important is how HE feels on a horse. And he is 
not alone-- as I get tons of people on my web site looking for tall 
Arabians with good conformation. Although most of them are very tall 
themselves, not all are. And look at the breeds who have exceptional 
athletic ability-- for jumping, dressage, etc--- and they are tall. Yes, 
you have to have good bone and conformation to carry the height--- and 
there are those exceptional Arabians who do. Halynov was one and I 
can brag on him because I did not breed him--- nor is his breeder 
responsible as his full brother was only 15.3 and the others less than 
that. He was a mutant--- an exception to the rule--- an outstanding 
individual who was a gift to the breed.
I was devastated when I lost Halynov. Not only was he my best friend, 
but he filled a need for many. Very few stallions could deliver height 
consistently and he delivered around a dozen 16h+ offspring that I am 
aware of---- and it looks like Riverdance, his son, will have the height 
of his two 16h full brothers (not sure if he will reach the 16.2 stature 
of his daddy yet) and for that I am eternally grateful. The statistics 
on how many tall Arabs have correct conformation and athletic ability 
are probably the same proportion of those who are under 15 hands. It is 
simply that there are less of these tall guys so one must look around. 
IF you notice, though, Ty mentioned awhile ago that most of the mounts 
in international competition are now averaging 15.2 and not all their 
riders are tall. Without getting into a debate about the direction of 
endurance, it is simply a trend and one we can watch and learn from. I 
imagine the THEORY is: the taller the horse, the longer the stride so 
given that two horse are equal in other criteria, the longer strided 
horse has the edge. We need not debate here-- time will tell.
Now riders have a choice in the matter due to breeders who are trying to 
fill the need (or demand, if some of you believe people do not have 
"needs") for a tall horse. Isn't that what America is all about, anyway? 
Choices? Thank God people who are happy with small Arabians do not have 
the right to dictate their opinions to others in this country--- just to 
express them ;-)
Bette
PS I'm not letting Mark see your post. Not only was he a champion 
basketball player in college (although in today's world he would be 
considered short), but he won his tennis tournament last year in the B+ 
division and this year was in the semifinals for the A-'s (celebrated 
after his win Sat night--- at 50+ we can't get away with that and do 
well the next day--- alas!) AND he was pitted against the college lads 
who play every day and not just once or twice a week as Mark does. An 
exceptional athlete is just that--- no matter what his height! :-)
These are my last thoughts on this subject -- and I do not see myself as 
a "coward" if I refuse to take part in a flame war (as I was previously 
accused), But rather just have better ways to spend my time :-) It is a 
lovely day!

Lori Chandler wrote:

> <<Yes, humans have been getting larger ... but at a cost. How many
> 6-foot marathon Champions have you seen? How many 6-foot figure
> skaters or gymnastics Champions? Only in sports where sheer bulk or
> height is a part of the game (like football and basketball) is "big"
> an advantage for humans either.>>
>
> I'm with you Joe!  Tiny Hinies unite!
>
> I also agree on horses...Sky is a small, musclely mountain climbing 
> fool.  Agility with stamina.
>
> Houston OTOH, has awesome confirmation & is almost 16 hands & is by the 
> book more correct.  He is half Arab & is not NEAR as coordinated.  To 
> look at the two side by side, you would probably pick Houston size or 
> not based solely on his more correct athletic confirmation.  But the 
> truth is Sky is the better athlete.
>
> My guess is that the bulk he has to haul around is what makes the 
> difference.
>
> Lori
>
>
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--
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians
Home of 16.2h TLA Halynov
who lives on through his legacy
Hal's Riverdance!
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com


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Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
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