Cooling points XC

ihatework

ihatework

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Having just read Gemma T’s retirement post for Jalapeño (possibly with a little tear in my eye) she discussed the German crowd having to bring water over to cool Jalapeño.

Why the bloody hell in this day and age was this even necessary. It was 30 effing degrees. There should have been strategic water stations for cooling off non completers easily accessible at all points of the xc course. Jesus - even just a couple of buckets and 10l water butts at each fence.

I’m actually quite peed off at this as you can tell. And I know for a fact a number of years ago at Burghley a non completer was in a similar situation and it was raised with FEI there.
 
ihatework said:
Having just read Gemma T’s retirement post for Jalapeño (possibly with a little tear in my eye) she discussed the German crowd having to bring water over to cool Jalapeño.

Why the bloody hell in this day and age was this even necessary. It was 30 effing degrees. There should have been strategic water stations for cooling off non completers easily accessible at all points of the xc course. Jesus - even just a couple of buckets and 10l water butts at each fence.

I’m actually quite peed off at this as you can tell. And I know for a fact a number of years ago at Burghley a non completer was in a similar situation and it was raised with FEI there.
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This was discussed very recently about Badminton. I am pretty sure it was the Harry Meade podcast. How if horses are pulled up at final quarter of xc fences before the finish because they are tired how there is nothing in place for them to cool them rapidly and you are essentially walking them back to the stables by yourself. No support or even boxing the horse back unless injured. He said stopping points are better organised and have water but it's not just there that needs it. He said there needed to be a much stronger effort towards the end of the course as not every horse is going to make it to the finish where the cooling systems are set up very well.
 
Well hopefully with riders like Harry and Gemma talking about it something might get done.

Completely substandard imo bordering on negligent
 
Absolutely unacceptable I agree. It must be beyond awful to retire your horse and not be able to cool them down and make them comfortable
 
She was right by a water jump as well, so a couple of buckets would have sufficed (a la David Doel at Bicton a few years ago)
 
Cost? I agree with you for big events and thank goodness the German supporters were there.
Water, in the copious amounts needed, at each fence is a bit unreasonable but they could park maybe 10 of their sponsors cars around the course with driver and loads of water to quickly get to where they are needed.
Same could be done for BE with certain FJs designated as cooling stations who could also move pretty quickly to where needed leaving one FJ in place in cases where its a retirement rather than a hold on course.
 
Nicnac said:
Cost? I agree with you for big events and thank goodness the German supporters were there.
Water, in the copious amounts needed, at each fence is a bit unreasonable but they could park maybe 10 of their sponsors cars around the course with driver and loads of water to quickly get to where they are needed.
Same could be done for BE with certain FJs designated as cooling stations who could also move pretty quickly to where needed leaving one FJ in place in cases where its a retirement rather than a hold on course.
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Would it really cost that much though? A couple of buckets and 10-20 litres of water with each fence judge. Easily replaced if and when used for a competitor! Enough water to start the cooling process for one horse. Radio in for more as required

ETA I wouldn’t say needed at every event. But latter half of course in 3 days and more + short formats in high heat.
 
ihatework said:
Would it really cost that much though? A couple of buckets and 10-20 litres of water with each fence judge. Easily replaced if and when used for a competitor! Enough water to start the cooling process for one horse. Radio in for more as required

ETA I wouldn’t say needed at every event. But latter half of course in 3 days and more + short formats in high heat.
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I don't know hence the? It was in response to your question as the only reason I could think of!
 
I quite agree with you about this. On the H&C livestream they showed the spectators using their water bottles to help cool Jalapeño. It's a shame that incidents such as this are often what it takes to force changes, but hopefully they'll find a way to implement cooling stations around the course. 🤞 Your idea about it being an opportunity for sponsorship is an excellent idea, and would help the competition venues.
 
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