Ridecamp: [RC] AERC Rewards/breeding/strategy

> >That said, I DO have an idea of a different method for awarding"bonus
points" with respect to completion time that takes some of the emphasis
off of specific order of finish and emphasizes speed a little bit less
than the current system.

I think you and I *may* be on the same track here.  The USA-East squad
used a points system to choose our team in 1991.  What it came down to at
Biltmore was about 20 pts. difference per placement slot...never mind
that one horse might finish 3rd, then an hour later 3 horses finished
together for 4, 5 & 6.  I thought it was misleading for the third place
horse to only get 20 pts more than the 4 th which finished an hour later,
but the 4 place horse...whose rider may have used very risky behavior
(which isn't good for team tactics later) to get 40pts more than the 6
place rider who might finish 10 seconds later.  At least for our team
selection points, I thought perhaps giving 200 pts to the winner's ride
time, then dropping one point per minute down to a minimum of I don't
know...maybe 50 or something. (haven't thought through details at
all)That way if you had three horses come in together it took away the
incentive to race in... which is rough on the horse and really does
reward risk takers.

 ANd it doesn't require anybody to subjectively
> >determine in advance the degree of difficulty of the course (which>
>is one of the biggest drawbacks I see to Matthew MacKay-Smith's>
>proposed idea).

I agree on that point too...and told him so.  I thought the levels
system, which they have in Scotland, GB, Australia (I think) and other
places was good for setting personal goals...sort of like the training
levels in dog obedience.  I'd like to see the SE try it, but don't really
believe it would even require any sort of tangible award (other than
maybe a certificate...or sticker for your horse's trailer).  It would be
simply a descriptive title that sorts out horses.  "This is Kaboot, he's
gold level" (would mean something like, has done "x" miles, "x" 100's, "x
speed". (remember when people would say, "This is Buck...he's ROC
qualified" and you *knew* what he'd done?)

The Australians have a very rigid *required* system a horse has to stay
within and complete before he meets criteria to race.  Don't know that I
want to go the "required" route, but "recommended" could be cool.

Going through old Endurance Worlds that I hadn't really read completely
I'm struck by the fact that Australia and France *really* emphasize
*breeding* horses specifically for success in endurance...then gradually
introducing them to racing over a course of a couple of seasons.  I feel
that we in contrast are still riding "the horse that was available".  The
French are so sold on it they have a sort of futurity program which the
4,5,& 6 year old horses come up through they have maximum distances, and
a maximum number of rides per year, at fixed speeds. The horses are paid
off anywhere from $40 to $120 for completing.  At the end of the year the
horses receive ratings depending on performance, general condition at the
finish and conformation.  They receive a rating label of quality for
potential buyers.  The system is sponsored by the racing industry.  The
whole idea is to promote the *breeding* of quality horses with good
recoveries, bone, etc. but it sort of protects them from being blown up
in their youth.  

According to Meg Wade, her 4 year olds are ridden around the farm doing
15-40 km. (up to 25 mi) Then she states:

>snip<

 "Then between the ages of 5 & 6 they do three 80 km (50 mi) rides at a
controlled pace and lower heart rate recovery. This is the qualifying
system in Australia which I totally agree with"  Then it's five months
off before going back into training for another 80 km ride, then up to
100 and 120 km rides. "I like them to have done at least 6 shorter rides
before they do a 160 km"

>snip<

So...are we losing some of our best young horses by not having a "little
league" for them to come up through?  Just a hypothetical question. I
haven't really formed an opinion. Just asking myself a lot of questions.

Angie

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