| Author | Message | ||
     David Taylor Member Username: Davidt Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2007 |
I'm no mathematician but surely coarsening the "scale" for dressage marks might be worse! The movement awarded an 8 to one competitor is now a 4, the next competitor for the same movement is not quite so good and would deserve a 7 now gets a 3 equivalent to a 6? If you wish to halve the effect of the dressage phase then score with tens, work out the penalties but halve those. Thus a 58 score becomes 29 penalties and a 32 becomes a 16? How about the idea that Cones is a warm up first, and then the dressage as the next phase (better really for 2 day club events and regionals as nicely warmed up), and the short marathon is used to see if the modern horses still have a bit in the tank after their dressage - dammit tongue is stuck in my cheek now. I do think Jeff Lile's post was a very good summation. | ||
| Wayne Armstrong Member Username: Bambra Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2007 |
I would like to see each dressage movement marked out of 5 instead of 10 ,this should bring competitors scores closer and restore the emphasis back on the marathon. | ||
| Julia Liles Member Username: Julial Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2007 |
Time for pragmatism, part deux... It is well recorded that Prince Philip's greatest regret when presenting his competition format to the F.E.I., is that they insisted on using the term 'Dressage' rather than 'Compulsory Figures' for Competition A - it sent out the wrong signal. Our sport was not intended to be the combination of a Dressage, a Cross Country and a Scurry competition - it's a three phase competition to find the best event animal. As we have, our ridden counterparts realised their structural changes to the cross country competition actually altered the horse type suitable for success in eventing and British Eventing have had long debate on scoring methods to try and maintain the correct weighting for each phase. Like them, we must reinstate the idea, as presribed in our rules that Competions A and C are in support of Competition B and not separate entities. When there is a change within a phase - whether a new emphasis in dressage judging, the omitting of an obstacle, the widening of a cones width - it's a mistake to adopt the attitude, "it's the same for everyone", because although it is in that particular phase, the relationship between the three competitions is irrevocably altered. Reviewing the scoring system would safeguard this balance. I find it incredible, that it is never considered that the time penalties should be altered if a marathon has six or seven or eight obstacles - yet we all know how much harder it is to catch up a dressage score over six obstacles rather than eight; or that the complexity or time allowed in the cones phase is never used to restore the balance to a competition. When the cones phase was made more difficult (evidently to be a 'crowd pleaser') it was quickly noticed that the five point improvement in your dressage, that has taken all season to achieve, could be wiped out in a split second by a dropping ball, so their value was reduced to three penalties. Surely, the same courtesy should be shown to the cross country phase. Technological advancement means no one finishes on three wheels and a skid anymore, their animals wreathed in baler twine; vastly improved obstacle building means we get round quicker and safer - I can't remember in recent times, a turnout so stuck that the animals had to be unharnessed in an obstacle; combined with a diminishing number of sections and length of course, all results in the scoring in Competition B getting tighter and tighter, therefore reducing its importance. We are absolutely no where near the original 3:12:1 ratio, so if that is no longer tenable, let the alternative figures be stated, so that we understand what our sport is demanding of us and our animals. I know some believe the phases should be of equal importance, but then penalties cannot be accrued at all, because obviously the three competitions have different scoring maximums. So, 'places' would have to convert to penalties i.e. 1st = 1 pen, 2nd = 2 pens etc., however, whilst this would decide the best allrounder, it need not necessarily be the best eventer. As mentioned previously, if, in Lezirias, the obstacle penalties had been doubled, Ian would have been fifth overall; if percentage scoring had also been in use for the dressage phase, he would have bronze medalled; alternately if there had been a more generous time for the cones, his position would have plummeted, whereas Jock would have been promoted considerably. None of these results is any less or more correct than the one we got in Portugal, because there is no definitive ratio of what the importance of each phase should be. If the governing bodies and membership actually decide an appropriate ratio, a formula can be installed to protect the integrity of the sport. There are consequences to change; if the sport is allowed to evolve without check, personal agendas can be achieved. Do we build a horse to suit a sport or a sport to suit a horse? Jeff | ||
| Mike Hodgson Member Username: Mikehodgson Post Number: 11 Registered: 07-2008 |
Rather than pressuring the council to retain the 3 section marathons, so the majority can have fun instead of allowing the few international hopefuls to practice the continental format. Should we not be pressuring the council or who ever our FEI representatives are to stand against the new proposals of shortening the marathon. have there been any bhdta council or fei official statements on the situation? or are we all worrying over just rumours? | ||
| Douglas Strachan Member Username: Douglass Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2007 |
I agree absolutely with Jeff's first three paragraphs. I however do not accept that the one section marathon is virtually a fait accompli. The one-stage "mini" marathon is not in the best interests of the vast majority of potential "trial" drivers (Jeff estimates 1700) I suggest that i) The BHDTA Council be pressured to maintain the fundamentals of Driving "TRIALS" (as stated in Clauses 904 and 939) by keeping to at least 3-timed-stages in the marathon ii) the candidates standing for this year's Council elections declare in their election "manifesto" whether they will approve only 3-timed-section marathons for all National events and all selection classes. | ||
| Julia Liles Member Username: Julial Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2007 |
A time for pragmatism ... I don't think it will surprise many that the single section marathon is nearly upon us. This has been the desire of the FEI and top professionals for some years. I believe, their ultimate goal, in the near future, is for the cross country and cone phases to disappear altogether and be replaced by World Cup style obstacle courses. Making carriage driving into an arena based sport makes it easier to manage and easier to market. It will allow the sport to raise its profile and profitability by combining events and sharing venues with the other arena based equine disciplines. With this format, the professionals will be able to produce animals faster, that last longer, increasing their value whilst reducing their risks in competition. It all sounds like great business, but not much like eventing. It may be questionable as to whether those deciding the future of our sport do actually recognise the sport that Prince Philip and Sir John Miller intended. The eventer standpoint has long been under represented, as the FEI Driving Committee is invariably drawn from dressage judges who duly invite the dressage doyen of the day to be the drivers representative. However, it doesn't matter to most of us what direction the FEI take the elite few, providing the BHDTA stand their ground to promote 'our sport'. Their efforts have undeniably improved the skill and quality of drivers and animals within the sport, but this need not be at the price of the sport itself. Seventeen hundred carriage drivers compete in some form of event, trial, le trec or scurry in this country, and yet the BHDTA only attract about 10% of this number; if it is perceived their emphasis is then directed toward the dozen or so international hopefuls, it may help to explain the difficulties in which they find themselves. If for whatever reason, the three and five section marathon is no longer viable at events, it is paramount that the scoring be reviewed and adjusted to protect the event animal. They will have to be trialled but it is comparatively simple to alter the penalties, timing and scoring systems to create the decided balance and weighting relative to each phase of the competition. As the structure of the competition seems not to be written in stone, neither should the method of scoring. For arguments sake, if the marathon obstacle penalties were doubled to 0.4 per second; in Lezirias, Barbey would have pipped Dieker over all, Ian would have been promoted up to fifth, Pam and Jock would have moved into the top ten, but Emily would have slipped out of the top twenty. Whether this result would have been a fairer reflection of the performances given is up to 'the sport' to decide. The perfect solution may never be found, but if the sport is to maintain its integrity, surely, it must be impossible for the Carriage Driving Three Day Event World Champion to be only the 28th best cross country! Jeff | ||
| Kathleen Upsall Member Username: Katastrophy Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2008 |
I think that why the majority of posters have said is that we like the three stage- it opens up trials to those of us that work full time and don't have support at home to get our horses an ponies any fitter (or livery in my case) and means that we have a good chance of being competitive. I wouldn't much fancy aiming a fresh horse or pony at an obstacle- my welsh knows already that the start of E means fun- the idea of starting E without a good leg stretch behind us is a little daunting to me- almost as much as going back to the five stage- all before my time, as I'm a new competitor. I make the walk time easily enough with my pony, but have already started my young horse (three year old) with a good working walk, as I know the horse time is a lot harder to manage. From the first time I taught him to walk in hand, I've pushed him on- he's not been allowed to dawdle about from field to stable, and while in hand showing has always been asked to walk out. Now under saddle and long reining training has started, and I have continued. It's my job to prepare him for the walk phase, and I want to give him the best chance I can. I've always been taught that small things make a big difference- I can only hope it's true! | ||
| David Stafford Member Username: Bbbruno Post Number: 11 Registered: 04-2008 |
times through obstacles on 5 section marathons were probably slower than competitions today. However this was before the era of delayed steering, carriages generally would have been heavier and singles and tandems would have driven two-wheelers. Personally the thrill of completing a 5 section marathon, at say Drumlanrig, Lowther or Holker, inside the times was reward enough for the hard work getting the horses there. | ||
| Jane Wilson Member Username: Janewil Post Number: 31 Registered: 06-2007 |
I'm not a fan of the fast trot section, probably because I've never had a pony who found it easy to do - and still have enough fuel in the tank for a reasonable crack at the obstacles. I don't want to see the marathon 'dumbed down' and certainly wouldn't want the walk section altered. I'm with the very sensible Janet Pilling on that one regarding schooling for all phases. However, although I know that the GOM is passionately attached to the good old days, when marathons were 'a real test' and classes all had 20+ entries each, but it would be very interesting to look back at obstacle times from that era - I suspect we would find that they were much slower. | ||
| Diane Phillips Member Username: Dianephillips Post Number: 28 Registered: 06-2010 |
There is a difference of just under one and a half minutes between the horse walk time and the pony walk time. Maybe it would be interesting to see the times people achieve. I often hear the ponies easily make the walk in 9 minutes or so whereas the horses are 'just scraping in' if they make it at all. To me that suggests that the ponies are able to 'cool down' on the walk whereas the horses are having to work. Having said that, the way I look at how fit your animal is, it's not how high the heart rate is at the start of the halt, but how quickly the rate falls. ie the fitter the animal the quicker the return to normal heart rate. Ten minutes rest should be ample under normal conditions for an animal to recover to continue on section E if they are fit enough. I agree with Julia. Standing still for a longer period, especially on a hot day cannot be good for the animals. Having backstepped for both horses and ponies it is also interesting to note the difference in timings. Kilometre times for ponies on section A are approx 4 mins and approx 4 mins 30 secs on Section E. For the horses it is near enough the same on both sections. 1 kph can make all the difference especially over a shorter distance. | ||
| Julia Liles Member Username: Julial Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2007 |
I'm not a great fan of the 5 Section marathon and have no particular wish to see it's return. Back in 'the day' 5 Section marathons could be gruelling affairs and it was never a foregone conclusion that anyone, from Novice Single Pony to Horse Team would make it through the vetting, being spun wasn't the isolated incident it tends to be now. Also we often had the unedifying sight of horses and ponies finishing exhausted. The level of fitness required made the sport difficult to attain for many juggling work and family with their hobby. Equally, I do not want to see a 1 Section marathon which I fear is inevitable if we allow ourselves to be dictated to by the hierarchy. At present there seems to be a leaning towards more time for the walk and longer halts. I read with interest that some horses are stressed by being asked to walk. That would seem to question the temperamental suitability of those animals. The walk Section is meant to be a test not a cool down, which it ceases to be if the time allowed can be achieved 'casually'. I say this, not as someone who easily makes the walk but enjoys the challenge of it as part of the competition. If all that is required is a saunter, that could be had from the lorry park to the start of Section E! I'm slightly alarmed by the idea of standing still for quarter of an hour. During this inspirational year of sport we surely must have noticed that no athlete 'warms down' by standing still. In normal circumstances, 10 minutes is plenty of time to let the vets do their job, lower heart rates, have a drink and make any adjustments required. I've been competing in this sport for 25 years and have seen a host of improvements and developments. Like so many I was drawn to it predominantly for the thrill of the marathon, often in estate parklands that are a privilege to roam, coupled with the challenge of the dressage and cones. I have come to accept the diminishing of what used to be the most important phase. Tinkering with the length of the marathon, the number of sections and the time allowed will not reinstate it's influence. The handful of section penalties gained rarely has a marked impact on the overall result, but I still want the pleasure and challenge of doing it. Unless there is a marathon of worth can I really consider myself an eventer? | ||
| Patti Atkinson Member Username: Pattia Post Number: 45 Registered: 03-2007 |
I understand that the representation from the BHDTA to the FEI was that the walk speed for horses be reduced. This seemed like a good compromise (plus using a longer halt if the conditions merited it). However if the walk is timed then it needs stewards at the start and end together with spotters for breaks of pace. Incorporating an unmonitored walk within Section A, as has been suggested elsewhere, must be the worst of all worlds. One competitor chooses to walk at the start will be overtaken by another that chooses to trot (or canter - it is any pace). Than the first competitor needs to overtake the second later in the section - what happens when the track is not wide enough? Nightmare! Keep the walk(s) as section D (and B if 5 sections) but make it a free walk with a maximum time - say 10 mins for 1k. | ||
| Patti Atkinson Member Username: Pattia Post Number: 43 Registered: 03-2007 |
It seems a shame that this discussion - very relevant as it is - has moved away from the original post by the GOM. The two Articles quoted Article 904.3.2 states “Competition B (Marathon) is to be considered the most important” Article 939 states “The object of Competition B – Marathon- is to test the fitness, stamina and training of the Horses….” say it all. I'm with you Douglas - all the way! (Cones comments - start another thread - it should be equally interesting!) | ||
| Kim Filmer Member Username: Remlif Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2012 |
Here in Australia it is still an option to have a 5 section marathon, but they are becoming rare. The last I think was for the 2010 national championships, and your pony needed to be fit. There is nothing better than knowing your pony is fit and setting off on section C fast trot, then having the walk to 'calm down' before the rush of section E. It is important to have good dressage, but some ponies/horses will never be dressage stars and rely on their agility & speed on marathon day to place well. As for the cones, I don't think it is a good spectacle to watch a driver "destroy' the cones course by trying to make the tough time or watching someone trot about slowly not knocking any. Maybe faster time less technical or slower time more technical. | ||
| Diane Phillips Member Username: Dianephillips Post Number: 27 Registered: 06-2010 |
There was a comment made at the championships that all cones courses in Europe are like the course in arena 1. Um..I don't remember crossing the channel to get to Windsor! | ||
| Janet Pilling Member Username: Janetp Post Number: 72 Registered: 03-2007 |
Exactly Rita! I think 10% over the season is being generous David. Surely it's 10% per class? If it hadn't been for Sue Mart's amazing double clear at Windsor that arena would have had a big fat zero. All day. Although the rest of us only had one down ;o) and many well within the time. Must it all come down to tactics? By Sunday my brain doesn't work that well. | ||
| Rita McGregor Member Username: Ritamc Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2007 |
ONE double clear in Arena 1! Enough said. | ||
| David Taylor Member Username: Davidt Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2007 |
Had a quick run through results at Regionals and Nationals and of 520 competitors there were 45 double clears which is 10.71% I believe course designers are aiming for 10% double clears. However I must agree with you there are quite big discrepancies between events some with none, and I think generally there are less clears in advanced and multiple classes where the times are faster or the courses more taxing. Now there are king of the Cones competitions perhaps times of individual classes do need looking at to level that playing field?. At the National Championships there were 11.46% double clears | ||
| Janet Pilling Member Username: Janetp Post Number: 70 Registered: 03-2007 |
For the past few years the Conference has had membership as its focus - how can we attract new members? How can we encourage stewards? How can we make the sport more appealing to spectators/sponsors? The BHDTA should follow the wishes of its members (many of whom have no desire to compete abroad) and keep the three section marathon or drivers will drift away to club events where they can make their own rules. And if drivers can manage to perform well in the UK doing tougher marathons then the continental ones should be a lot easier for them regardless of whether they have 'dressage horses' or not. We train in all three disciplins and we have trained our horses to walk to the time allowed however it is a job of work and not a cool down. And as for the cones David Taylor - I have not seen very many double clears this season at all! Both Erddig and the National Championships were really tough courses demanding very fast canter throughout - if course designers are setting the times fast to be appealing to a crowd then they have to be slighty less technical. There is nothing LESS appealing than seeing horses being hauled round a course of cones with drivers yelling at them to go faster. | ||
| Julian Richards Member Username: Julianrich Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2008 |
I miss the long format too, we have seen the dressage assume increasing importance over the years, a shortened marathon allows for a much less difficult horse in the dressage as they are no where near as fit. Further shortening will only increase the importance of Dressage which is a backward step in my opinion. Dressage is very subjective as we have seen in recent judging, It's very difficult to get repeatable results. We all recognise the problem you can win the Marathon and the Cones and still lose to a low Dressage score. I don't have any magic answers but I'm sure we must reduce the impact of the Dressage on the overall event to give the average non dressage horse a more even playing field. | ||
| David Taylor Member Username: Davidt Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2007 |
I think Douglas and others have illustrated the issues well enough. Horses are definitely not as fit as they were twenty years ago. The influence of a large lead in the dressage has persuaded those who can to buy horses with paces and more extravagant carriage at the expense of stamina and the marathon has already been dumbed down to facilitate these horses. The horse walk is set at 7kph maximum yet that is the only speed used, and is not a rest at that and walk penalties are much more evident in horse classes. I agree singles and pairs can be persuaded with practice, but leaders are not so easy. It is good for getting fit, but why as part of the competition; it was supposed to be warm down after A and C, with a slightly less forced walk a longer rest would not be required and yes unfit horses should be retired we do not want tired horses on E. We need to decide whether we are developing the sport to promote our international successes or so that the majority can have fun? I do think it would be a great shame if we lost the first two remaining marathon sections and Douglas is right, if the walk goes then a will be amalgamated into E and then the whole shortened again. I personally don't think there is a problem with the cones and they can with skills and practice be driven clear within the times in most cases. | ||
| Julie Hoskyns Member Username: Julieh Post Number: 44 Registered: 03-2007 |
We need to lobby our FEI rep Philip Bateman -standish55@aol.com and make it very clear that we want to keep the walk. A couple of people seem to have hit the nail on the head, it seems to be the horses that have a problem and not so many ponies. Take a look at the horse fours world championship results and it becomes clear why some people/nations may wish to change things, very short sighted. It would also appear that we are too weighted towards the dressage which will just encourage people to buy dressage horses to the detriment of the sport long term. This sport is about all round performance and should remain that way. If we must have a change then add a little time to the walk if we must. | ||
| Viki Edmondson Member Username: Buster Post Number: 26 Registered: 06-2007 |
I don't really understand why all the fuss about the walk section happens - what about TRAINING your horses to walk - everyone is very happy to train for obstacles/cones/dressage etc but how many people actually tarin their horses to walk? It IS entirely possible to train horses to walk out well and at 7kph average speed. I have 2 Gelderlanders, one of whoom thought walk was a awear word at the beginning of the season and very clearly spelt it J-O-G. I have put alot of time and effort into walking single and pair(and no I don't have vast amounts of time on my hands before anyone asks) and how we acheive the walk section comfortably. Horses find walking in harness tiring so walking is not a waste of time from a fittening angle. IF horses are fit then they should be able to complete a marathon with a 10 minute halt however until judges are bold enough to stop people who are driving tired horses and request that they retire on welfare grounds then I suspect it is more appealing to slow speeds down or decrease distances especially where there is alarge public prescence. It is interesting that the pony walk speed is not such an issue. ANyway enough ramblings and back to work... | ||
| Diane Phillips Member Username: Dianephillips Post Number: 25 Registered: 06-2010 |
Could there perhaps not be a compromise? I for one, use all my holiday from work to compete and some of the best parts for me is seeing fabulous countryside (parts of which would never normally be seen by the general public) on Section A's. It would be a shame to lose this for the sake of keeping up with the "foreigners". But as we are desperate for more competitions maybe a few run with only section E would keep everyone happy. A few clubs already run these under the name 'inside outs'. Could these not be taken to National level? I too believe that the walk section should be kept on 3 stage marathons but the speed should be adjusted with regard to weather, terrain etc especially in the horse classes where more struggle to get the time. | ||
| Carole Redgrave Member Username: Caroleredgrave Post Number: 59 Registered: 03-2008 |
Totally agree with Douglas. I remember doing that wonderful 5 stager that NEDTL put on at Escrick a couple of years back. My Standardbred was in his element! We always struggle in the dressage so this was his chance to shine- proving his amazing speed and stamina. Unfortunateley, after we had completed all the sections ( in time I must add ) it was decided that it would be reduced to a 3 section after all as the some animals were struggling in the ground conditions. We were gutted. If the sport becomes Dressage-orientated completely I am one competitor it will lose. | ||
| Nicolette Hughes Member Username: Nicolettepurple Post Number: 47 Registered: 05-2008 |
I agree with Christopher, giving a longer time for the walk, so it is relaxing for the horse and prepares them well for section e. I think we need to keep the 3 sections, the nicest part is section A often with beautiful views and then the exciting bit comes at the end. Dressage judging is always very difficult but I am a bit dissolusioned by the differences in marking, BD seems to be a bit more consistent on the whole. The thing that annoys me is some ponies / horses get great scores for having their head in "correct" position but are not working through properly at all, whereas others that are working more correctly are not getting such good scores. I also think unless there is very bad ground / weather conditions that marathons should be a minimum length, some of them are much too short. Just my thoughts.... | ||
| Ginny White Member Username: Ginnyw Post Number: 13 Registered: 01-2009 |
I got time faults at Ashfields, in the walk,jack has no problem doing the time, the 2 cars on the road where not my excuse i was talking oppss!. Don't we all just love the marathon, the beautifull places we go and the fun we have, well i do. | ||
| Ginny White Member Username: Ginnyw Post Number: 12 Registered: 01-2009 |
Not sure Joe why you say longer rest period?, surely the animals should be fit enough for an average 14k marathon, and even if the heart rate is up with a vet check it should be ok after 10 mins if the animal is suitably fit.I have a croup high pony that runs rather than showing any lenghtened stride, my dressage is always one of the lowest scores, i work hard to keep my pony fit enough for any marathon on flat Norfolk Fen, and subsequently hold my own and have a fair chance of improving my place. The speed of the cones has become almost ridiculous, possibly trying to make it more of a spectator sport, but if this trend continues and the marathon is reduced i can only see the sport heading more toward scurry like events.I would have thought the marathon stewards is minamal compared with the obstacles, how ever long the sections does not incurr more people?. The weighting of the 3 phases has been discussed at great length in the past, but no one seems to care. And just like the eventing world the dressage is VERY important. I'm sure i'm not alone in having loved the old ridden 3 day fomat, and missing the roads and tracks and steeple chase. But who would not say how enjoyable Greenwich was. A short format may not be wanted but in a few years possibly thats what we will have. Hopefully the powers that sort it may give the average dressage pony a thought. | ||
| Christopher Priestley Member Username: Chrispriestley Post Number: 15 Registered: 04-2008 |
As I understand it, the idea of abolishing the walk section is because horses are getting stressed with having to walk quickly to make the time, rather than causing any fatigue. If that is the case, why not set a more generous time so horses can make it in a more 'casual' pace? | ||
| Joe Hodgson Member Username: Joehodgson Post Number: 152 Registered: 07-2010 |
It should really stay as it is with 3 sections and a longer halt to help recover before section e | ||
| Christopher Priestley Member Username: Chrispriestley Post Number: 14 Registered: 04-2008 |
The influence of the dressage phase does appear to be disproportionate and short marathons do feel a bit... well... short. To be devil's advocate, a single section marathon would make finding suitable venues (such as purpose-built equestrian centres) and getting enough stewards much easier for event organisers. I can see why shortening the marathon phase to match what they've done in Eventing is appealing to the powers that be. Whatever happens, the scoring system ought to be looked at to ensure that the marathon remains the most influential part of the competition. | ||
| Kathleen Upsall Member Username: Katastrophy Post Number: 61 Registered: 10-2008 |
I'm not sure I'd be able to do a five stage marathon Joe- those of us who work full time and have one or more in full work will struggle to get them fit enough for five stage marathons. Even from my position of a newby to the sport, I agree that we don't need the walk removing though- it gives my hotheaded welsh a chance to calm himself down before E! :D | ||
| Joe Hodgson Member Username: Joehodgson Post Number: 150 Registered: 07-2010 |
Well said. I have never driven a 5 stage marathon only a 3 section. If we had 5 stage marathons to drive this would make us all work our horses much harder meaning fitter horses ect and better competition but what happenes when we have our Sh*te english weather? Do we get to drive a 3 section marathon. | ||
| Christine Twigg Member Username: Rosibob Post Number: 89 Registered: 02-2008 |
Well said, Douglas, totally agree. | ||
| Douglas Strachan Member Username: Douglass Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2007 |
Probable Dumbing Down of the Marathon Introduction Rumour has it that the FEI are considering further dumbing down the importance of the Marathon by omitting a timed walk. This rings alarm bells to this simple soul that eventually there will only be Section E. Should this happen it will be contrary to their own principles Article 904.3.2 states “Competition B (Marathon) is to be considered the most important” Article 939 states “The object of Competition B – Marathon- is to test the fitness, stamina and training of the Horses….” Distances and Speeds (for horses) In 1983 a five stage marathon could be 27.4km and Section C trot was 20kph In 2000 a five stage marathon was 22km and Section C trot was 19kph In 2012 we now have a three stage marathon of 18km and “free” speed of 15kph Recent World Championship distances were 2011 Lipica SLO 14.8 km Conty FRA 15.42km 2012 Riesesenbeck GER 17.2km Lezirias POR 13.6km Thoughts of a G.O.M. 1) Reading the recent blog on the World Fours Championships there would appear to be distinct culture of two different types of horse, dressage and a less important marathon horse!!! 2) The credibility of consistent Dressage judging at Lezirias was questionable when one judge placed a competitor 6th and another judge placed the same competitor 65th, a difference of 59 places!!! This was the worst case but almost 20% of the 73 participants suffered a range of 35 in their placings. In view of this it is suggested that Dressage should not have its present predominance in Driving Trials philosophy 3) Those with realistic International aspirations (a minority of say 20 out of 180 National competitors) will demand that BHDTA will follow the FEI dumbing down of the marathon. The remaining 160 competitors will therefore miss out on the pleasure of driving in magnificent grounds round a proper marathon and will simply need to fitness train their horses round a field !!! 4) I therefore plead that the BHDTA Council keep to a minimum of timed 3 stage marathons (I would much prefer 5-stages) and that BHDTA selection for World Championships is determined by the results of these 3 stage marathons. ( If they can do 3 timed stages then they will be fit enough for the dumbed down continental marathons. |