Truman, I am the one who raised the issue of the doping question by
bringing up the issue of our baseball scandal. However, in no way did I mean to
imply that the UAE is doping their horses. I simply wanted to point out that
their training methods are incredible. No matter what you think of the format of
the race, whether it meets your idea of what endurance is all about or what the
motives are of the UAE with regard to endurance, it is an amazing accomplishment
to ride 100 miles in under 6.5 hours. For both horse and rider.
Both formats can be run at the same venue. I know that because I rode my
ride at the Las Cruces ride while still riding for about 20 miles with Halim and
two of the other riders from Malaysia. I cantered with them when they cantered,
walked when they walked and trotted when they trotted. We talked a lot about the
world, horses, religion, politics, the King, and food. I also tried to act as
their rabbit to help them make their COC completion time. I was welcomed into
their tent to wait for Halim to finish. When he did and I asked him whether he
vetted through, he simply ran up to me, jumped up with his arms and legs around
me shouting "Yes, yes". A happier guy I haven't seen in a long time. So here
were two people who live half a world apart accomplishing two very different
goals but sharing the same experience. Me just trying to finish and Halim on his
way to representing his country at a very prestigious event against many
professionals.
Yes, professionals. I raise that point because the UAE has approached this
sport as professionals as have the French and other countries. We have our
professionals in this country. People who make their living by endurance
racing/riding, breeding and so forth. We all know who they are. Valerie, Jeremy
& Heather, Becky Hart, John Crandell quickly come to mind. They are in a
different league than I certainly am when it comes to endurance riding/racing.
They train differently, are funded differently, and ride differently. They
usually ride to win. I am only capable of riding to finish. Thankfully, they
condition their horses and know when to pull when they ride the way they
do. Maybe it is time for members and the board of AERC to realize that
there are different levels in this sport. May be we should be like other
disciplines in this country (cutting, roping, reining, dressage, jumping) and
have Open/Pro and Non Pro/Amateur divisions with the ability to move into
the open division when the rider feels that they can compete.
But what ever the case, the UAE is professional about their training and it
shows. Whether their horses have high mileage or not is irrelevant to a pro.
Simply look at thoroughbred racing. It is unusual to see a horse compete for
many years. The UAE looks at endurance racing as more similar to flat racing
then we do. And this appears to be the case for many other countries as well.
You can say that their horses wouldn't do well at Tevis or OD, but rest assured,
they would prepare for those rides in the same way they did for the ride in
Dubai. They have done well on leased horses at our big name rides and I am
sure that their own horses would do well at our rides, who knows, maybe even
win. We will know for sure in 2 years in Kentucky. I am sure there will be hills
at that ride and I am sure the UAE will train for them. I am sure that they will
be motivated to beat us on our own ground. I am hope our professionals are
willing to train at the same level.
In the Muslim world, the belief is strong that when God told Abraham to
vanquish Hagar and her son, Ishmael, the promise was made that Ishmael would
lead a great nation. Maybe it wasn't just the luck of the draw when the Sheik
gave the King and Hamil, horses named Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ishmael. >From their
perspective, endurance is just one aspect of a great nation. Rather than
grousing about their success, we should be looking to see what we learn from
them to improve our sport on every level. For without a doubt, their
accomplishment was great. I hope Mark Dial was taking notes.
