Re: RC: Re: reply to Tom Ivers re: re FEI

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/30/00 8:38:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time, SandyDSA@aol.com 
writes:

<< He completed a SLLOOWWWWWW 25 a few weeks ago 
 (slower than we even planned because he threw a shoe!) and he is going for 
 another MODERATE 25 this weekend. We are rating him for a reason, and going 
 slower than recommended by the vets because we want him to live to run 
 another day, even if ALL he ever does again is moderate anything. Did we 
 finish with a happy horse last time? You bet your bippy we did! Studly 
 thought he had died and gone to horse heaven! Would we push him just for a 
 higher "placing" at any distance? Not on your life - or his! Does that make 
 us iffy horse'men'? I think it make us better horse'men' than those who 
would 
 swagger about their many accomplishments whilst their horses languish worn 
 and nasty in the paddocks.  Happy horses, sound horses = satisfied riders 
 here!
 san >>


First off, getting into a competition with an "iffy" horse is an "iffy" 
proposition. No matter how slow you go. While it is deathly boring to work at 
home over terrain your horse is familiar with, slogging out those boring 
miles with no human companionship, no campfires, no entertainment at 
all--this is the life of a true conditioner of equine athletes. The life of a 
horseman. 

ti