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From watching at
the beginner's end of things, I can honestly say that this is a major
issue. Our first season I was ride manager for the last two rides....and
I've only ridden one 20 km in my life. But as far as experience goes, I had
Ridecamp and I tried to err on the side of caution. But inexperience is a
killer. Then you can have the organising committee from hell as we did for
the first and second years. Both years the "big" rides were sponsored
by our national newspaper publishing company, whose head just happens to be a
good friend and business partner of one of the main competitors. Do they know
anything about endurance? NO. The first year they turned it over to an
advertising company to set up, and I stepped back from getting run over (most of
the time) when it became apparent that the ride was more a photo shoot than
anything else. I did throw screaming fits when I thought riders and/or horses
would be endangered, but hey....I was just one short 50 odd year old lady. The
second year they abandoned the advertising agency and the pretence that the
Egyptians actually had anything to do with the organisation....the third year
and this year there have been no rides because the involvement of the publishing
company (it was getting too big a cut?) was not appreciated by our local
federation (who still don't have any experience at endurance).
I've recently heard
rumours that there is a 120 km Masters ride scheduled for Egypt on October 12.
So far no one knows where and the only published announcement of it was last
spring......in the national newspaper. Now if our federation doesn't sanction
it, is it an FEI ride? Interesting question. Point is that we STILL don't have a
decent Organising Committee. Do I even want to watch? Don't think
so.
Maryanne Stroud Gabbani
Cairo,
Egypt
maryanne@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.ratbusters.net
>This really illustrates and highlights the belief that endurance,
at any level, is best governed and monitored by folks who actually have
ridden horses long distances, in varied conditions, for whom the phrase
"welfare of the horses" isn't just public relations-speak Then, working
with endurance experienced vets, perhaps we all could
benefit..
Frank, I think you hit the nail on the head here. The origins of
these problems start clear back with accepting bids for the WEC or WEG in the
first place. When you have an OC that has a history of putting on
successful endurance rides to begin with, you have a better chance at having a
good course design, good working relationship between OC, technical delegate,
and veterinary commission (all keeping horse welfare in mind), and an overall
much better chance at success (read quality event with healthy horses at the
end
I agree with Steph that leasing is an issue, and it relates also to
qualifications for horses from all countries--bottom line, we should have
experienced riders and horses at events of this level, not folks out doing
their first 100's. Even if one wants or needs to lease a horse, at the
level of a world championship, someone should have the capability to go to
where that horse is at some earlier point and ride that horse 100 miles in
competition. Again, experience....
Heidi
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