Re: RC: RE:Worlds Most Preferred--Really?

[Tivers@aol.com]

The race was very well run, the hosts extremely generous--and competitive, and the course tough--a lot of hard ground. 

In the UAE, the primary thrust is targeting endurance as an Olympic sport. Because the UAE is a supporter of numberous sports, much of the applied science brought in via human exercise scientists visiting the UAE is being converted for equine use--very sophisticated exercise physiology labs are onsite and the UAE is making a huge effort to lift equine science to Olympic levels. 

The UAE doesn't invite international competitors in order to beat them in competition or buy up their horses, but to learn from professionals from around the world. In doing so, they're lifting the level of professionalism in the UAE very rapidly, and they pay handsomely for both good horses and good information. 

From what I have seen, they want a clean, Olympic caliber sport--they don't drug their horses, quit early if they have a horse going off, and do their very best to prepare the horses properly for competition. 

So, they are becoming professional. If the US desires to compete on this level, then professionalism, from exercise and nutrition to shoeing, diagnostics and basic care, is going to be vital. 

ti