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[RC] President's Cup - rides2farTHe Australians I think are getting the best of both worlds as I looked at the endurance scene across the board I'm curious about the Australian mentality. Correct me if I'm wrong...but I don't *think* they've ever won the gold. However, they have trained and done pre-rides on horses that won the gold, then turned them over to their UAE owners at the last possible moment. I give the UAE full national bragging rights for any wins they have on horses they have trained. But I don't know who to give the credit for the ones that they simply own and hop on for the ride. I understand that they may not be able to train for the European Championships in Dubai...but if they win it on a horse that Meg Wade, or some Frenchman has done everything else on...what merit is there in any *national* bragging that comes from that? Countries don't train horses, individuals do. However, they have full "ownership" bragging rights. They owned and rode the winner. Great! But when another country has so much invested in the horse too I just don't see "national" bragging rights. If I am right that the Australians have no gold...what use is there in rating countries by whether they have a gold, when they're so obviously dominant? I'm sorry I'm not more certain of my facts but I'll make it clear I'm uncertain so others will feel free to correct me. Doesn't the French Federation or whatever literally own their top prospects to keep them from being sold, then place them with riders who they feel will bring them along to their best ability? Is that what it will take to keep a "country" competitive rather than simply being the training grounds for another country's medal winners? If we're judging individuals by whether they've won a gold, where does that put Peter Toft and Meg Wade? If you had to bet your farm on the future of your next prospect would you send your horse to one of them, or to the last gold medal winner in the European or World Championships? Angie McGhee Wildwood, GA ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ============================================================ Common sense should also be a part of the decision making process. If you see someone who doesn't have any, hand them your tool box. ~ Lisa Salas - The Odd Farm ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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