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While there is some validity to question the COC rule that is to go into 
effect in 2006 - I sure don't see the Pine Tree as justification to 
throw it out or even allow exceptions. You can't make rules based on 
"small probability events." You can base a rule sturcture on freak weather.

In 2004 - 6 of 14 finishers satisified the 13:20 COC. In 2003 all the 
finishers satisifed the 13:20 COC. The winning time in 2004 was 11:10 
and 2003 was 10:18. Based on this, this is not a ride that would have 
been granted an exclusion since I sure can't see the FEI, or any 
organization for that matter, flying by the seat of its pants and 
granting exclusions after the fact based on weather.

If you sit down and look at the numbers over the past few years you will 
find that at most US 100's a 13:20 is not unusal and there are plenty of 
horses that finish within that time. Personally I have no problem with 
the 13:20 in the US for mature horses with a good base - my problem is 
with lowering the age criteria for horses that are being asked to do it 
and that comes from the USEF. If a horse is expected to be able to go 
compete at the FEI championship level - having to prove he is capable of 
doing that is not an unreasonable requirement.

Truman

Steph Teeter wrote:

> Nik - and others - here's another example of why the new FEI rule, effective
> January 2006 - which says you must finish at 12kph or 13:20 ride time to
> earn a Championship COC (qualification) - is simply too inflexible. Top
> finishers at Pine Tree CEI*** took 14+ hours. Hot humid conditions. None of
> the riders could use this ride to earn their COC.
>
> FEI needs to revise or amend the rule to accomodate ride conditions which
> are not conducive to 13:20 ride times (heat/humidity or terrain or extreme
> weather or whatever). Either allow rides to petition for an exclusion to the
> rule (even afterwards, if ride conditions altered the outcome) or change it
> so that it is based upon a percentage of the winning time (let the winning
> time be the standard, not an arbitrary number that works best on flat fast
> courses).
>
> In my opinion, since rules are slow to change, the best course for FEI to
> follow would be to allow petitions for exclusion, i.e. allow certain rides
> to petition the FEI to alter the criteria used to determine the COC cutoff.
> Use some common sense in this respect. The intent of the rule is to set the
> bar higher for Championship level events. This (imo) is fine, but FEI must
> allow some flexibility into the rule.
>
> USEF, and other Federations (Malaysia) need to keep an open dialogue with
> FEI regarding this. The Pine Tree ride is a prime example of a case where
> the ride managers could/should petition the FEI Endurance committee to
> consider the ride and conditions, and allow another option (e.g. percentage
> of winning time) in determining COC criteria.
>
> cc: Ian Williams - Manager, Endurance - FEI
> cc: Mary Lutz - USEF, Endurance Director
>
> Steph
>  

--

"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create 
the universe."

- Carl Sagan






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