Re: RC: Top Ten Tips???

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

Angie.... 

I agree with that....that's what I do. Ride my own ride and don't worry
about it.  Ask the out timer where I am at the last vet check. If I'm,
say, 11th-12th, I want to know how long ago the rider(s) in front of me
left.  If it's close AND my horse is doing great, might try to catch up.
If I'm already in the Top Ten, just hold my pace. Doesn't matter where
unless you want to be first. Hmmmm...however, I have been known to "race
for place" at the end....Sunny just loves that....must be his race
breeding...he can go from a trot to a full gallop in a heartbeat and is
blinding fast for short distances.

One other thing you might do.  My crew gets me a lot of Top Tens that I
wouldn't have without them. You can just KILL people out of the vet
checks if you have an efficient crew (or are organized by yourself),
especially if your horse recovers quickly.  Two minutes saved in each
check with 3 vet checks is 6 minutes.  You give me a 6 minute advantage
and it's tough to keep Sunny out of the Top Ten.....that's a mile and
1/2 minimum. You have to experiment with how your horse comes down.  I
know that if I can get off Sunny and walk him 100 yards, he will be 64
EVERY time...ususally just strip the tack, slap on the heartbelt,(and my
crew is stripping as I walk) sponge off the sweat and crud then head for
P&R. I ALWAYS strip tack. First, I want the vet to get a good look at my
horse and second, he is more comfortable and cools down better without
the tack. Get him in, get him down, get him to a PR person.  The one
time I've seen my laid back, mild mannered crew guy Gabe get annoyed was
when he was standing there with Sunny down and the P&R people were
milling around looking pencils and stethoscopes! <grin>

You know, it's kinda interesting on this BC thread and on the training
thread.  IMHO, one of the "down" sides to having a well trained, laid
back horse is BC judging.  Sunny has never won a BC.  I have been 2nd or
3rd in the horses standing quite a few times but never won the honor. I
will ALWAYS stand for BC if I'm in the Top Ten, because you get a really
good evaluation of your horse and the opportunity to leisurely discuss
any problems with the vet.  Thing is, Sunny is so mild mannered and well
behaved that he "appears" tired. I have seen horses win BC that I KNOW
Sunny was in much better condition. I'm always getting dinged for
"attitude" and "impulsion".  He's just real comfortable with himself and
isn't gonna expend any more energy than he has to...especially at the
end of the ride. Ever seen a horse dozing in the pasture?  He drops his
head just below level, closes his eyes and relaxes.  This is what Sunny
does in vet checks during the exam.  R-E-S-T and S-L-E-E-P. I sometimes
have to wake him up to do the trot out! He trots on on a slack lead on
my shoulder but he does it with his head down and just does one of those
little quarter horse "peanut pusher" things with his ears back and this
"annoyed" look on his face.  I'm gonna try this "trot faster"
thing....hmmmm or maybe a cattle prod. <Just kidding!>

Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic

Rides 2 Far wrote:
> 
>  >Could someone share some tips for Top Tenning?
> 
> The best advice I can think of is...ride your own ride and if you end up
> top 10 so be it.  Be very careful about getting too focused on your
> placing. It takes your focus off your horse.  I prefer not to know what
> position I'm in until I leave the last vet check.  Then, if I happen to
> be end up with a group that I know is going to finish 8 thru 11, I might
> just mosey on up and make sure I hit top 10.  Duane Barnett once told  me
> there's only 2 positions worth racing for.. first and tenth. >g<
> However, I've altered that for myself.  Just because you were in 11th
> when you left that last check does not mean you've got to pass somebody.
> There's always that chance one of the top 10 won't complete and bingo
> you're in.  If you want to be top 10, train to go fast, then ride your
> own race.  If you've trained well enough you'll get up there.
> 
> > When you go  back to present to the vet for possible best condition
> does anyone have some  tips
> > they can provide?
> 
> Well... like Merryben said a great trot out helps, but it won't always
> get you there.  I've had lots of high vet scores because my horse has a
> great trot out, but there are still 2 more catagories to the
> scoring....speed and weight.  So, after you practice that trot out,
> either train your horse to be very fast, or go eat lots of chocolate. :-)
> 
> Angie
> ________________________________________________________________