Unofficial WEG team

["Carlos F. Crespo" <ccrespo@nigma.com>]

Rick Stewart DVM  stated that:

 

<< I respectfully submit that you, sir, are commenting

on a subject you know nothing about>>

 

Certainly I would expect nothing less from the

Chef d' Equip for the USA Equine Endurance

Team than to come to the  blind defense of the

process he is such an important part of.

 

I agree that I probably know little about the subject

but I would ask,  Who does? Other than the few

currently running the system. The entire selection

process is based on a subjective criteria

dependent  on personal opinions and done in a

totally secret and unaccountable basis. Why is it

that the opinion of each selector is not made public

as well as their voting record and the minutes of

the selection meeting process?

So long as the process is carried out in the current

fashion without full disclosure the only ones

"knowledgeable"  of the subject are those running it .

Furthermore, the lack of disclosure limits  the

"education" of the rest of the membership and

perpetuates a status quo regardless of its suitability

or acceptability by the membership.

 

The main argument I hear from you and other selectors

is that  "there is no best way to select for a team" . 

I submit to you and everyone else to consider the fact

that if there is no best way to select a team then we at

least choose a way that is the most

FAIR  TO ALL COMPETITORS.    If we are to err

I would prefer to err on the side of fairness and

participation .

 

I can not accept the argument of competitors "beating

themselves to death the year of competition being

abjectly opposite to the optimum" .

This country was build on the idea of competition.

Competition is what raises the level of performance

in all of us and gives us something greater to reach for.

Competition is what makes us great not weak.

Two selected races are not going to break any world

class horse anymore than competing in any number

of  exhibition rides , perhaps the ill effects will be even

less. 

 

I personally like the Canadian idea of defining the team

1 months in advance.  Regardless of which method is

used to define the team, sufficient time should be given

for all members to heal, train and peak for the competition

and for the coaches to learn the strengths and weaknesses

of each athlete.  With 11 months lead time any injury that

may have occurred in the qualifying race would have ample

time to heal .  This is not the case with the current system

in which nominees are expected to perform demonstration

rides until the final selection 3 months prior to the competition.

 

As for getting involved, In my view,  I am greatly involved by

developing an awareness and consciousness of the pitfall

in the system.  I have received a lot of private correspondence

in support of these views from members who agree but fear

subjective repercussion against them if they go against the

system. I for one have nothing to fear so I do not mind

leading the charge for the hearts and minds of the general

membership. That is where the decision should ultimately lie.

 

I  am not taking this time  attempting to change your believes 

or that of others defending the current process,  you are too

set in your opinion to accept the necessary changes.

 

In closing I would like to borrow from the words of a famous

poet and submit to you and the others that....

 

COMPETITION  MAKES LEGENDS .

LEGENDS  IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF. 

WHEN LEGENDS DIE THERE ARE NO LONGER DREAMS

AND WHEN  DREAMS DIE THERE IS NO LONGER

GREATNESS...

 

With regards and still sincerely wishing you success in Dubai,

 

Carlos Crespo

Florida

Keeping the Dream Alive