Read your message about the disadvantage of training horses in Florida
and competing in mountain rides. We definitely have a big disadvantage
down here with all the sand and no hills. But don't give up! It's not
impossible to train for and compete in mountainous rides.
As you know, my husband Carlos was one of the 10 successful riders to
complete the Old Dominion this year. It takes at least a year of
planning though. One of his big strategies was to arrive at the site 10
days in advance (2 weeks would be better if you have the time) to do
additional training and conditioning of his horse prior to the race.
Although we don't have the terrain, we do have the heat and humidity,
which accustoms our horses to summer conditions (a benefit for an August
ride out west). For your first attempt leasing a horse may be an option,
but we feel it is still possible to train here and compete out west. In
fact, Carlos has his sights set on the 1996 Tevis. Perhaps Truman has
some ideas as well!
If you're heading to the Ft. Lauderdale area anytime soon let us know.
Also, when the weather dries up and cools down a little we spend a lot of
weekends at Dupuis and Jonathon Dickinson state parks. Perhaps we can
meet sometime!
Best of luck!
Lynn Crespo
Davie, FL
Lynn M. Crespo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Pharmacology
Nova-Southeastern University
lynn@alpha.acast.nova.edu