VT 100 & over riding [long]

["Beth Glace" <lb@nismat.org>]

Hello all, 
we conducted a research study on the human contestants at 
the VT 100 this year, so I was at multiple aid stations on the course 
as well as the finish and start lines.  What I saw there surprised me 
and might be something we, as horsepeople, need to be more aware of.  
As has already been said, the conditions were incredibly brutal:  
about 100 degrees and high humidity on a very hilly course [14,000 
feet of elevation change].  Evidently only about 1/3 or less of the 
horses finished.  I was surprised at the pace being attempted by many 
of the riders that I saw at miles 12, 18, 27, 36 and 44.   Many of 
the spectators approached me this year to tell me that they thought 
what they saw was cruelty!  When the horses passed there was much 
grumbling from the onlookers.  One runner said he was trudging up an 
incredibly long & steep hill when a woman came riding up next to him 
clucking and pressing her horse who was struggling on the 
ascent.  He was furious and felt the sport should be illegal since 
riders were evidently not permitted to dismount their horses.  I 
tried to explain that riders could dismount and lead the horse, and 
he just couldn't understand why they didn't on such an unbearable 
day.   What could I say; the poor finish rate might support his 
contention that the horses were being ridden too aggressively in some
cases.  I witnessed a horse who had his ears pinned and who went with 
a hollow back and whose rider was literally kicking him every step, 
every step, every time I saw them.  This outraged the horse and non- 
horse people watching.  I know a lot of fuss has been raised about 
the LD riders over riding their horses, but it seemed to me that this 
endurance race engendered some bad publicity for our sport.  Does 
anyone know if the cut off times were extended for the 50 or the  100 
given the conditions?  I certainly don't mean to disparage those that 
rode within their animal's ability, but I thought I'd pass on what I 
overheard and witnessed this year [I was at the race last year and I 
only heard admiration for the horses expressed then].  Thoughts about 
racing in such conditions?

Beth

Beth Glace, MS, CDN
Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, NY


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