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RE: [RC] Training Facilities (was too quiet) - Steph Teeter>>The UAE has raised the bar in international
endurance competition.>>
Yes - but then again, it also depends on the course.
If the 2006 WEC is in the mountains of
Colorado, or even the mountains in France, then we would have an advantage over
countries that live and train on flat courses. The current speeds
(records) are being set on flat courses. Yes, this is an amazing test of equine
physical endurance, there is no question about that. And we are probably being
left behind regarding training - developing the absolute maximum aerobic
capacity of a given equine athelete.
I will concede that UAE is producing fitter and faster
horses, which probably no country can compete with on a flat UAE course. And I
think the UAE riders also know best how to pace a horse on a flat course
for maximum performance.
But as soon as you increase the physical difficulty of
a course - rocks, hills, mountains, etc - then there are more elements to
consider. Specific muscle development of the horses and a different pacing
strategy by the riders are two things that come to mind that would be difficult
to attain without a year or two of training and competition on such a course.
Much
of what will determine the International champions for the next decade or so,
is WHO has the influence to determine which courses will be used as
championship courses. The 1998 WEC was a flat (though there was a lot of deep
sand) course in UAE. The 2000 WEC was a relatively flat course in France.The
2002 WEC was a flat course in Spain. The 2004 WEC is a VERY flat course in
UAE (and the deep sand has been removed). Is 'flat' now the standard for WEC's ?
Steph
(tossing in a red
herring)
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