Re: [RC] Training Facilities (was too quiet) - Barbara McCrary
You see, this is where my suggestion of
having the course for a championship located on the OD, Tevis, Swanton Pacific,
Big Horn or other similar trails. Toss in a foot of snow on mountain
passes and then see who shines. I believe the UAE riders are as good as
they are on their own courses because that's where they train, that is the kind
of terrain they live on. Would they do as well in the mountains? It
would be worth a try, wouldn't it?
Subject: RE: [RC] Training Facilities
(was too quiet)
>>The UAE has raised the bar in international
endurance competition.>>
Yes - but then again, it also depends on the course.
If the 2006 WEC is in the mountains of
Colorado, or even the mountains in France, then we would have an advantage
over countries that live and train on flat courses. The current speeds
(records) are being set on flat courses. Yes, this is an amazing test of
equine physical endurance, there is no question about that. And we are
probably being left behind regarding training - developing the absolute
maximum aerobic capacity of a given equine athelete.
I will concede that UAE is producing fitter and
faster horses, which probably no country can compete with on a flat UAE
course. And I think the UAE riders also know best how to pace a horse on
a flat course for maximum performance.
But as soon as you increase the physical difficulty
of a course - rocks, hills, mountains, etc - then there are more elements
to consider. Specific muscle development of the horses and a different pacing
strategy by the riders are two things that come to mind that would be
difficult to attain without a year or two of training and competition on such
a course.
Much
of what will determine the International champions for the next decade or so,
is WHO has the influence to determine which courses will be used as
championship courses. The 1998 WEC was a flat (though there was a lot of deep
sand) course in UAE. The 2000 WEC was a relatively flat course in France.The
2002 WEC was a flat course in Spain. The 2004 WEC is a VERY flat course
in UAE (and the deep sand has been removed). Is 'flat' now the standard for
WEC's ?
