I would propose H&W, Rules and Education
consider the collection of a specific data set for a researcher such as Truman
to analyze. This study would be in the interest of obtaining objective
information useful to each committee.
Many of the necessary data sets have been
recently discussed. This would take more time for ride managers to
complete and submit, as well as the completion of a pre-ride form by every
entry, perhaps simplified by a computerized data base wherein competitive miles
of specific horse to date, (as an example of extant data), can be
automatically grabbed, but information as to travel time/miles to a given ride
would have to be submitted by the competitor.
Hold times, weather, etc would be the burden of the
ride manager, for which they should be reimbursed because this would be
a continent-wide organizational study.
I very much respect the opinions offered here by
the experienced, as well as the not so experienced, but I do believe a
comprehensive study, containing as many pertinent variables as possible, will
serve as a guide for each of the above committees, and the
organization as a whole, to act on if resultant analyses proves
significant.
This would be a huge on-going undertaking, and
probably add a couple bucks to every ride entry, but there is enough volunteer
free talent here to do a boatload of accurate analyses. There will
be a huge list of null hypotheses, for example-
There is no statistically significant difference in
metabolic pull rates, in a 50 mile ride, when comparing rides with two 45 minute
holds versus rides with three 30 minute holds.
And that's one subset of data.. Each
additional data variable obtained can be added to that, one by one.
I'd call it "What Goes Right at an Endurance
Ride", because the vast majority of the entries, the vast majority
of the time, take home healthy horses. What we're looking for is any
objective evidence, painstakingly gathered, and actively reviewed and
discussed among the membership, that will cause proactive changes to increase
that majority.
