 |
[RC] Commpletion Rate - WEC Compared with AERC National 100 and Tevis - Stagg_NewmanKim wrote: Stagg, Perhaps the completion rate is not much different BUT= shouldn't the completion rate be higher because the caliber of= horses and riders are assumed to be the best the world has to= offer. ..... Kim, I personally do not think the 36% completion rate is acceptable. Rather the 66% completion rate at the 2001 Pan Ams over a tough course in Vermont or the 64% completion rate at the 2003 AERC National Championship is much more acceptable. What I was trying to do by pointing out that the completion rate at our National Championship rides, which presumably have been bringing together some of the top horses in AERC, has been similar in 3 of the last 5 years to the WEC this year, is that this is not a "we versus they" issue nor an FEI issues but rather an issue or why do championship caliber rides see such low completion rates. This is a difficult question that needs careful analysis. There are undoubtedly mulitple causes including the stress of travel, the competitive nature of the event, tougher vet critera, etc. I believe one of the little understood factors is the it is very difficult to "ride your own ride" because of the combination of the flight and herd instinct of the horse. In many 100s one can quickly get alone or in a small group of horses going at a pace comfortable for you horse. The flight instinct common in the horse at a mass start quickly disappers and the horse focuses on going down the trail as trained. In a championship ride, particularly in a wide open course, it is very difficult to get alone or in a small group of horses where other horses are not in sight. So the horse's flight reflex stays on signficantly increasing the stress level for a prolonged period of time. This sets the horse up for problems later. I do not have data too prove this but certainly believe it is a factor I have to manage with my horse Jayel Super, who is a high strung Arab. That's why I like tough mountain course, not flat race tracks. I believe at the 2003 Pan Ams, Super's flight reflex stayed on for the first 40 miles or so as his heart rate was 10 to 20 beats higher than normal. When I slowed down to break away from other horses, a group would catch us. When I speeded up to try to break away from a group I would catch the next group. In retropsect I probably should have just pulled off into the woods for 10 or 15 minutes and waited. Even though we finished 4th that day, I was not happy with our performance because he did not have the energy during the last part of the ride that I expect from him. Fortunately he recovered well and his blood work two hours after the ride (the earliest we could take it) should all was well. However I believe he was low on glyocogen during the last part of the ride due to high stress level early in the ride. Stagg From: Stagg_Newman@xxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Commpletion Rate - WEC Compared with AERC National 100 and Tevis WEC completion rate was 36%. This is not that much different from the completion rates at several of the recent Tevis rides and AERC National Championships. So we may need deeper analysis to understand all of the factors. Completion Rates - 2000 to 2004 Year AERC National Championship 100 Mile Tevis 2004 36% 53% 2003 64% 49% 2002 38% 43% 2001 35% 40% 2000 59% 48% +=========================================================+ This message may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or any information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation. +=========================================================+
|