 |
RE: [RC] Presidents Cup: (now horse longevity) - Steph TeeterTeri - one thing that they do differently in UAE is that they spend a lot of time preparing an individual horse for just one or two races. They don't campaign their horses all season. They have zero incentives for mileage accumulation and points for each horse. They do have points incentives for riders however - but the rider doesn't have to campaign the same horse. IMO this is for the benefit of the horse. (I have stated before that I think the AERC award system encourages horses to be ridden too hard). We often see our (USA) top horses compete in several 100 mile races per season, and also 50's. Great accolades for high point horse/rider team, but very hard on the horses. I believe that if a horse is to really race, really compete, they should do so in only a few events - or spread the efforts out over a long season. If one wants to do a lot of rides, they need to respect the difference between racing - maximum effort - and just 'getting around'. The miles aren't such an issue if we're willing to do them with minimum stress to the horse. But a maximum effort in a 100 mile 'race' (or even successive 50 mile races such as multidays) takes a huge toll on the horse. It's not that uncommon to see a horse with a fast overall time at a multiday soon develop lameness issues if the rider continues to race (different from riding) during the season. It's just too much accumulated stress on the body. Steph -----Original Message----- From: Teri Hunter [mailto:teri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 10:11 PM To: steph@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; pner@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Presidents Cup: fast fast fast That is great that they have all of these items to bring them to the top. My question is, how long do their horses stay at the top. One ride, one season, or years. I would be interested to know what the winning horse from last year is doing or the prior years..... Anyone have any knowledge......... We talk alot about condtioning a horse not just for the moment but for years..... Teri Hunter ============================================================ I still prefer what it is that BH100, Tevis, The Duck's Soup of Endurance, etc. has to offer...but, to see a horse canter over sand for those distances...Good Lord, it humbles me. ~ Frank Solano ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
|