> For
the most part, I like how we practice endurance in this country, BUT, for
perspective's sake, I remember riding in a ride (80 miler) in this country a
couple/three years ago when we had 100% FAILURE rate. (I think it was 8 or 9
starters.) No one completed.
Initially, it was some going too fast for the footing, then the weather jumped
up and, IMO, stopped the rest of us from completing. I
changed how my horse and I were proceeding along and ended up making the wrong
decision and OT'ing. No lameness, no metabolic, just got lost on the prairie in
the dark, near frozen. I was happy we survived the
night. Completion rate doesn't always tell the whole
story...no matter our suspicions. Sometimes it's just
hard... :^) Frank
Well-said, Frank. One
of my proudest moments came when I was the only completer on a 90-miler under
similar circumstances (only 4 entries, but that is a 75% "failure" rate), and
the 60-miler at the same event had a likewise terrible "failure" rate. The
day was well into the 90's WITH considerable humidity, which was unusual and
unseasonable in our part of the country. But what made me proud was not
just the completion--it was the fact that the vet made a big point of awarding
my mare a BC award, after withholding the award on the 60-miler, where she felt
that no horse merited receiving same. The 60-milers that did complete were
all just marginally at completion criteria, but my mare ate her head off all
day, recovered well all day, and had a HR of 52 at her 10-minute post-ride
check, good gut sounds, good appetite, good attitude, etc. I thought the
vets did a good job that day, and the weather was just one of those things that
couldn't be helped.
