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RE: [RC] [RC] Endurance - FEI - glass houses? - Steph TeeterI actually only know of 2 horse deaths at WECs -
both occured in 2002 in Jerez. I don't know
the stats for FEI ride horse fatalities around the world. That would be
interesting to know though, I'll see if I can find out - I'm not sure that's
public info.
Prior to Jerez
the WEC competition rules where pretty much identical to AERC rules. After the
fatalities FEI realized that they needed to address some issues - qualification
was a big one, and one of the 'qualifications' they came up with was the need to
demonstrate that horse and rider were capable of competing at an advanced level
And to the FEI folks in charge at the time 'advanced' meant 'fast' and they came
up with the requirement that horse and rider complete a 100miler at no slower
thatn 12km/hr - a 13:22 ride time. That was pretty much what started swinging
the trend from technical (Tevis type) rides to flat rides.
I
really don't want to 'take sides' either. I don't see the AERC changing
dramatically regarding it's membership and it's relationship with USEF and all
that so I figure the closer we look at our sport, and the more we talk about it,
the better we'll be in the long run. I'm most interested in figuring
out how to keep this great sport healthy, and how to provide more
safegaurds for our horses. As AERC, or as a discipline Nation (USEF) or as
a global governing body - FEI or Olympics - the issues are primarily the
same. The biggest difference is the demographics of each culture and
nationality. And the very real influence of money on the sport which is
signficant here at home (sales of horses overseas) as well as
abroad.
I
really want to see open discussion and that merans
willingness to discuss FEI issues rather than shut them down as irrelevant or
threatening.
I'm
going to summarize the major topics that came out of the forum - I'm really
hoping we can discuss these - they're pretty relevant no matter what level one
rides at.
Frank
- I hear the word 'elite' all the time to describe athletes at
the upper levels of competition - e.g the best of the best - grand prix
level, big jumps, etc . For Endurance most of the world considers 100 miles
in one day as the 'elite' level. And I didn't mean to use 'backyard' in a
condescending way, I considered myself a 'backyard' rider these days, I'm not
training and travelling at high level competitions with my horses, just
going to rides for fun and recreation. Maybe 'local' would be a better term? or
,,.?
Steph
(made
it to Pheonix.. next Idaho!)
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