Re: RC: Runners and horses

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

Truman wrote:

>I would suspect that speed work is very important if you want to make it 
>to the top

I thought the discussion was about "justifying" LD as conditioning for 50 
milers.  I have assumed (again, that word) we have not been discussing just 
riders competing for top 10; all along I have been referring to the runners 
as well as horse/rider teams who are competing to *finish*, not competing 
to *win*.  You know,  the rest of us.  The majority.  Since I am not and 
have never been interested in that level of competition,  I'm not the one 
to talk about making it to the top.

I would, however, be curious as to where the stats and the studies are that 
demonstrate the benefits that are being claimed here for 50 mile horses 
competing in fast LDs, and whether or not these are benefits that apply to 
all categories of competitors (finish to win vs those riders competing to 
"make it to the top").  In other words, would Trilby be doing way, way 
better if she every so often rode a fast LD?  (Sorry, couldn't help myself).


Lif Strand
Quemado NM  USA
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