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Often? Gee, I hope not. I don't see it happen around here.
>Do you believe the best condition judging should be kept as is?
Yes
>Would you rather see the best condition judging done on all horses in
>the top ten regardless of time or weight carried?
Absolutely not. That makes no sense. Many rides have so few riders.
>Would you like to see more of a "window" in the time/weight factors?
No.
>Any other ideas?
Perhaps more clearly defined parameters for metabolics and lameness
judgements made by vets.
I also am concerned about the ride time vs total time. When the total
time was changed to include hold times, it in essence made the less
conditioned horse work harder. This is because it effectively REDUCED
the time allowed for that horse to finish the required mileage. And this
becomes even more dangerous for the marginal or novice horse when the
mandatory hold times are increased because it forces that horse to go
faster to earn a completion.
To illustrate:
-If the RIDE time was back to 12 hours maximum for 50 miles, the horse
must average at least 4.2 mph to earn a completion.
-The way it is now the actual ride time not only is cut short by hold
times but it varies from ride to ride depending on those assigned hold
times. And frequently the hold time is increased if the conditions are
more difficult because of heat, humidity, terrain, etc. It isn't a
kindness to increase hold times when the price is requiring more speed
out of the tired horse. The tired horse is punished.
Diana Benson
Joplin MO
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