Saturday August 7 2010
I wasn't going to put this in my The Equestrian Vagabond blog (it's in Merri Travels on Endurance.net), but, I do think it is worth a post here.
The World Endurance Championship is coming up in September, and there are about 30-35 riders vying for 5 slots on the US team.
I follow this 'sport' of Endurance racing - because that's what my job is, to report on it, as I work for Endurance.net - but this re-iterates my view of Endurance Racing (international competition) and Endurance Riding as two separate sports.
I think when you get to just about any high level of competition, whether it involves horses, or just human competition, factors other than just the best players/horses/riders enter in. Politics plays a part.
That's why I just like endurance riding. I can go out and ride my horse (well... usually Steph's horse Jose) for 50 miles with friends and have fun, enjoy the scenery, stop to take pictures or a pee, let Jose stop to eat grass along the way, let him stand on top of a hill and look around and take in the scenery, get off and walk if I want to... it's fun. I don't think I'd have any fun whatsoever competing (not to mention I haven't a single competitive bone in my body).
Here's my article:
Concern over the selection and demonstration process for the US team has prompted former multiple World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy to withdraw her 3 horses - King Ali Gold, Gold Raven, and Spectacular Gold, from the selection trials for the World Endurance Championship to be held September 26, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Kanavy's main concern is that the trial, to be held in Illinois next week, is too close, for the distance and speed the horses will be asked to go, to the Championship race. "If you were training your own horse, you might do a 50 mile ride in a controlled situation, to peak your horse for the WEC," Kanavy said. "I've worked really hard, and I've demonstrated that my horses are capable. I won't run them in the heat, humidity and mud at speed 5 weeks before the WEC. That's the bottom line."
Secondly, the ten horses and riders selected from the trials will go on to Shaker Village, Kentucky, and will stay there for the 3 weeks before the WEC, sitting in Shaker Village, Kentucky, until the final 5 riders and horses will be chosen 4 days before the race. "The horses would be more relaxed in their home environment; this robs them of comfort and rest before the big race."
Kanavy had raised a lot of concerns about the process all along the way, but they were not addressed. "I expect a lot out of my horses. I've worked toward this [2010 World Endurance Championship on home turf] for 3 years. I've demonstrated over the years, with all the horses in my stables, including the young ones, their capability with my training and program.
"I've been flexible and open minded, and I know I don't know everything... I've evaluated, consulted, and tested my horses, and I know they are capable of giving their best performance, but my horses can't do a good job if all the energy gets sucked out of them before the race."
Kanavy is disappointed things worked out this way, but she's moved on. "I've already got my horses booked on a flight to Europe for 2 big races, including the Young Horse Championships in France. I'm looking forward to testing my young one against the best in Europe."
Way to go Val. Putting the horses first! You are such a class act.
ReplyDeleteexcellent post - thank you for sharing. you told me the day i met you in holland, "it's a whole 'nother sport." and i think i got the picture.
ReplyDeletelooking further into one horse i crewed for in north germany, priceless gold, i found out kanavy rode him last year at EM? maybe you know about that.
Oh, goodness. You'd think, with Valerie's reputation and experience, that her concerns would have had more impact.
ReplyDeleteI have to commend her for making the right choice for her horses, however, no matter how disappointing.
I'd be disappointed too, although she made a good call.
ReplyDeleteI agree Merri with the close timing on the Trial 'race' pretty hard on the horses and expect them to travel to this race in Illinois and then 2 weeks later have them travel to KY and stay for 3 weeks is asking allot in a short time span! It is a great disadvantage to lose Kanavy's bid but also to ask the horses to do this is, in m opinion, is a disavantage to the Team as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer for her but she knows her horses best. I am the farthest thing from an FEI rider and after watching the east selection trials there were more than a few things and comments made that ensured I will never be an FEI rider. IMO t...he welfare of the horse needs to come first no matter what and while the individual riders put their horses first that seemed a much lower priority for the USEF folks. I left the event with a really bad taste in my mouth about the sport at that level (again not from actions of individual riders but the actions and directions of the folks in charge).
ReplyDeleteOur gal Val made the right call! She has nothing to prove to anyone, neither here or in any country that has endurance riders. I back her decision 100%. Maybe now someone will rethink this whole team plan!
ReplyDeleteWow good for Val! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who thought racing these horses 80 miles 5 weeks before a huge 100 mile race wouldn't allow the horses to preform at their peak ability... Are you goin to be at the Illinois trials Merri?
ReplyDeleteno, unfortunately i won't be there! should be quite interesting to see what develops...
ReplyDeleteIt would take even more than losing Valerie before WEC will change. Other contenders should do the same. Boycotts work best when everyone does it!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was gonna be their! Actually I don't, I hate the humidity :)
ReplyDeleteCommend Ms. Kanavy. Time to do away with AERC-I. They have no standing. That belongs to USEF.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Valerie for putting her horses first. She's a class act.
ReplyDeleteI think that Becky is doing her very best to put together the team she thinks can win a medal. She's the chef and we have to respect that.
ReplyDeleteI agree tara, and each Chef brings something different, just like each rider has their different opinions on conditioning and prepping their horses for a huge 100 mile race. Becky is obviously an accomplished rider, and has done well in international rides; so maybe she is seeing something the rest of us can't as far as peaking a horse for a race...
ReplyDeleteCongradulations to Val for making a point the hard way about the concept of "peaking". The selection process should not be designed to wear out horses.
ReplyDeleteJust doing historical research here on prep for big events. I find some of the last few comments about deference to a chef for the sake of deference, to be absurd and lacking any thought. BTW - I think the team results told the tale. Some of the other riders should have spoken up, too., if they had any thoughts on the matter.
ReplyDelete