icestationzebra
Well-Known Member
This seems to be a topic much discussed recently and I was wondering what people's views were on the reasons we seem to have seen more tired horses recently.
In the days of long format I don't recall there being horses looking so tired towards the end of the course, but of course we didn't have online videos to watch or forums on which to discuss, so perhaps I wasn't so aware. Assuming that we are seeing more tired horses now, is it because the horses were fitter on the 'old days' having a steeplechase and roads and tracks to negotiate before the XC? The horses were often full TBs which I think most people would agree have a naturally high stamina level. Are today's more technical and twisty courses more energy sapping?
I would assume that professional riders these days have access to so much more information and expert resources regarding fitness, nutrition, physio, farriery, saddlery etc etc so no excuses for not having horses fit and well and ready for the job? Are riders now under more pressure to deliver results for owners/sponsors and as a result 'press on' when perhaps what they should be doing is putting their hand up and retiring? A great example is Francis Whittington at Badminton this year putting his hand up when he was in such a great position on the leaderboard. Are riders getting so caught up in adrenaline or attempts to impress selectors/please owners that the horse is compromised. There was a yellow card (or Verbal Warning possibly?) for a rider at Badminton for abuse of whip - essentially driving on a tired horse which should have been pulled up. Ironically when interviewed the rider said that he just gave the horse a squeeze and he responded well - when it was clear to everyone spectating (including the FEI) that this was not the case. Riders surely have to accept they are under far more scrutiny now with video footage available on the internet?
Not really sure where I am going with this, but I'm interested to hear others views. There was some questionable riding/decision making at both WEG and Burghley and I think this issue does need to be addressed to protect the public image of the sport.
Views?
In the days of long format I don't recall there being horses looking so tired towards the end of the course, but of course we didn't have online videos to watch or forums on which to discuss, so perhaps I wasn't so aware. Assuming that we are seeing more tired horses now, is it because the horses were fitter on the 'old days' having a steeplechase and roads and tracks to negotiate before the XC? The horses were often full TBs which I think most people would agree have a naturally high stamina level. Are today's more technical and twisty courses more energy sapping?
I would assume that professional riders these days have access to so much more information and expert resources regarding fitness, nutrition, physio, farriery, saddlery etc etc so no excuses for not having horses fit and well and ready for the job? Are riders now under more pressure to deliver results for owners/sponsors and as a result 'press on' when perhaps what they should be doing is putting their hand up and retiring? A great example is Francis Whittington at Badminton this year putting his hand up when he was in such a great position on the leaderboard. Are riders getting so caught up in adrenaline or attempts to impress selectors/please owners that the horse is compromised. There was a yellow card (or Verbal Warning possibly?) for a rider at Badminton for abuse of whip - essentially driving on a tired horse which should have been pulled up. Ironically when interviewed the rider said that he just gave the horse a squeeze and he responded well - when it was clear to everyone spectating (including the FEI) that this was not the case. Riders surely have to accept they are under far more scrutiny now with video footage available on the internet?
Not really sure where I am going with this, but I'm interested to hear others views. There was some questionable riding/decision making at both WEG and Burghley and I think this issue does need to be addressed to protect the public image of the sport.
Views?