| Author | Message | ||
     Linda Rose Member Username: Lindarose Post Number: 18 Registered: 08-2010 |
Some very interesting points raised here, ie recovery rates and the effect of the duration of the halt, the purpose and speed of the walk section. Any chance they could be re-posted under different heading for further debate - it may get lost where it is. | ||
| David Taylor Member Username: Davidt Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2007 |
I thought that the original intention of the walk was to warm down after sections A and C before the halts. However although the rules state the maximum speeds allowed I have virtually never seen anything else used. Although my horses can now do the horse walks it is still a push and not a rest. The natural break speed is 6.5 kph for most horses and 7 kph is not a rest. With a more sensible walk speed a longer halt should not be needed. I have in the past known horses to be passed on by competitors solely because they could not make the walks without breaking, especially in leader roles; not really what the competition is about? | ||
| Pat Cooper Member Username: Patcooper Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2007 |
Janet - I agree wholeheartedly about extra time at the halt I have been winging on about this for years but the TD's and vets come up with some technical information to cover their own backs ! But as we know they dont't know our horses and the different breeds of horses react differently to different climate changes IN HUMID CONDITIONS AND BOGGY HEAVY MARATHONS WE NEED EXTRA TIME AT THE HALTS. Not extra time on the marathons. Our fit horses are geared to run at our set speeds. Rest them a little longer and bingo we have it RIGHT.!PS Has Owen got my trailer logos ! | ||
| Janet Pilling Member Username: Janetp Post Number: 65 Registered: 03-2007 |
I agree it was a great event and I also agree the classes were small but originally there were a lot more entries - the event suffered a lot more withdrawals than is usually expected. Regardless, we had great fun and even though the conditions were tough on the marathon, it all went really well and my pony actually seemed less tired than at others. I think this was due to the extra three minutes we were given at the halt. Gypsy's heart rate was 96 when he was first vetted at the halt and came down to 48 - the lowest he's ever been checked at (his resting heart rate is 34). Please TDs - instead of giving us more time on the sections, which can often cause more problems for horses and drivers, consider the benefits to the horses with this extra recovery time at the halt. I think it made a huge difference to a lot of people. | ||
| Hamish Reid Member Username: Hamishreid Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2009 |
Had a great week at Raehills event this weekend. For a first time it was a wonderful show. Thanks to all for the effort that it took to get it off the ground. It has been a few years since I have been able to attend many national events. Something that, to me seems ludicrous, however has effected all the events I have been at this year. At Raehills there were 42 entries and 19 different classes. The largest class had five competitors in it. Surely some sense has to prevail. The alternative might be to just have 42 classes where you choose whichever dressage test you want to do!! I am only joking but we can't be far away from that situation. |