Re: [RC] Kentucky Cup Wrap Up - different rules for different folks? - stephanie teeter
I honestly don't know the details of their early departure, just speculating. But I can only imagine that the horses received the best care possible. There are grooms and veterinarians whose job it is to do so. And paperwork and protocol and all that stuff that can cause delays and problems for normal folks is not part of this world. There are agents and staff hired to ensure easy passage. Endurance is an industry at this level - stables with many horses, many grooms, trainers, veterinarians - they can afford the best of everything, and just as in the track racing industry - horses that are performing well, or have great potential, are given the best of everything - so that they will continue to do so. Also - the top performing horses only do a few races per year. The training/rest/travel/performance schedules are also designed to optimize performance.
Steph
(please don't take my comments as support, or endorsement, of the endurance racing industry - I'm just throwing my observations out there)
On Oct 19, 2009, at 8:18 PM, Kathy Mayeda wrote:
I'm sorry, I fail to see how a jet ride to Dubai could be any better than trailering home for a horse. I'm sure they received the best veterinary care, but being lifted in a crate and confined standing up for hours does not seem the right thing to do after a tough 75 miles.
Most likely the horses were not trailered, but were loaded onto the Maktoum's private transport jet and received the best of care. The Spanish horses were probably on the same jet headed back to the same training stable in Dubai.
Steph
On Oct 19, 2009, at 11:11 AM, Naomi Preston wrote:
I really enjoyed Mary's coverage of the KC, and share her feelings of disappointment for what she described as the "funeral like" atmosphere of the BC judging. Every horse and rider out there showing for BC deserved tons of applause after a ride like that.
And what's with the UAE and Spain leaving after the ride, and other countries unable to get their passports until after BC judging the next day? Seems like a horse doesn't need the stress of trailering (even a short distance) after a very demanding competition in the mud.
