[RC] Best conditioned awards in Australia - sherman
Thanks
for the info, Catherine. I like the idea of multiple BC/fittest horse awards. It
gives the opportunity to award very fit horses even if they don’t carry
much weight.
Kathy
In
Australian domestic rides we have a best conditioned horse award in = all
weight divisions (although some states combine similar divisions eg = Junior and Lightweight). Some
people also call them 'fittest horse'. The = top 5 horses in each weight division
are eligible to enter. For rides = under 160km the fittest horse can be judged
under saddle or in hand. For = "" over 160km they are judged under saddle,
typically the day = following the ride.Horses found lame are not eligible to enter. The = vet inspects each
horse individually then it works out. They use an = evaluation calculation
sheet which includes factors such as weight = carried, time taken, heart rate,
metabolic parameters and willingness to = move out etc.
Best
conditioned or fittest horse is a very prestigious award as it = rewards good
management rather than winning at all cost.
