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[RC] FEI - Rusty Toth

Leonard brings up some interesting points. The only similarity I see in the
"desert race tracks" and the Tevis, Quilty, Florac ect. Is name and prestige
recognition rather than course design. All these international rides Leo
mentioned I believe fall under the same challenge - a truly difficult course
over a challenging terrain.

I do believe from reading Steph's travels and various stories from other
rides taking place in the far reaches of the planet that endurance is a
growing sport and most have and enjoy the same challenge we do here at home;
a wonderful adventure over a varied and difficult course with the 100 as the
ultimate test of equine and rider in this great sport of endurance.

I am reminded every time I go back and read the stories of Steph's great
travels to every corner of the endurance trail that the vast majority of FEI
rides go over courses with speeds much the same as ours over trails as
challenging as ours. I am realizing that for the most part I do not agree
with this new hi-breed of 100 mile race track racing happening in the
Arabian deserts, this type of racing however is the minority, they simply
have tons of money and press over whelming the public perception. I will say
here that even though I have no desire to go and race there we have seen
these horses can and do race over and over again, I am man enough here to
say I do not have the skill to train a horse for a 6h40min 100 and they do
so they have something figured out I do not.

My desire is for rides such as the Quilty, the new FEI 100 in Japan and
other international rides that are FEI sanctioned over courses we would all
be excited to travel over get the same press as the Presidents Cup. Let the
world see that most FEI rides are on courses similar to our own in
technicality and challenge. We have high speed happening here as well, every
ride I attend has a winner coming in at blazing speeds and I have ridden in
three AERC regions. Speed is happening it is the reality we must face; it is
not going away even in our AERC rides and would we want it to? I for one
understand why some the competitive trail but that sport is not for me.

I am excited that FEI has taken the leap to move forward in understanding
our horses in this sport, it can only serve to help my knowledge and make me
a better rider even if I never travel at the speeds of the international
rider. Is that not how all sports evolve? They develop better bats for
baseball and we find kids playing T-ball with them.

The most interesting thing is when a horse and rider travel over the
technical course, finish strong sound and happy to the best of there ability
for that day at that time, a true partnership of trail, horse and human -
amazing.

Rusty



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