In a message dated 8/9/2005 10:33:27 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, Tivers@xxxxxxx
writes:
I became
a coach. That's what I do for a living
It's a wonderful thing you do, Tom, coaching trainers, horses and riders to
pursue the sport of endurance safely, and for those who care, optimally, as in
to Finish First.
Regarding my observation that there are some who attempt to "insert"
themselves into the sport without actually riding endurance horses speaks to
what happens to some riders (and horses) out on the trail...the
imperatives, psychological and physical, can change over time (pardon the
endurance-pun). The environment, for many, is fluid in nature. Very
few hard goals, other than completing the ride that day. To me, unless
someone actually rides endurance horses on the trail, understanding, nay
ACCEPTING, that can be difficult for folks whose strengths are cerebral in
nature, not spiritual. "But, then, I'm no mental giant. So, please,
don't "test" me. It's all I can do to get through the days without
stubbing my brain."
For some, having managed the distance, they then yearn to mange the
effort, i.e., speed, etc. For them, I can see that having a knowledgeable
coach, with a background in honest research based in controlled studies with
varied riders, horses and environments would be invaluable in the safe
attainment of endurance goals, for horse and rider.
For a rider who wants to win, (as in Finish First), a training regimen
based on, what some would call "fluff" that is esoteric in nature, (i.e., doing
the things which engender completing ride after ride with maximum
enjoyment of the environs (read, "To Finish Is To Win")), could be deemed
"inappropriate" and "non-effectual" in nature.
I guess that would be where you'd come in...to help a horse and rider
Finish First.
And, that is an aspect of this sport for many people. It's just that
"many" people seem unwilling to pay the price, literally, to Finish
First. It could be that to do so might change the context of
what it is they do. The amateurish pursuit of sport. It could be so
due to the constraints of money, time, ethics (as determined by the
individual) or any of a myriad of mitigating and contributing
factors.
But for those who wish to Finish First....if my recommendations were
ever sought as to how to make that happen, Tom Ivers, you'd be the
first guy I'd tell them to contact.
True "Discovery" happens from the inside out, not from the outside
in.
My views, I'm no spokesman for anyone, just myself,
