Eventing year round - probably already been discussed but what do you think?

[redalter]

For the majority of us, not a huge impact, those of us who work/can’t afford/whatever, and can’t “follow the circuit”.

I am wondering though, a few things:

Will people rest horses as much or be tempted to fudge it a little.

For the lower levels, and us ammies who may try to get year end points - the average ammy can’t travel to try to do 15-20 events per year, so that may impact those who are trying to hit the leader board and have a shorter competition year than those who may have the time and or money to start out with a few competitions in January/February, then go from there.

Dumb question - do other disciplines go all year? Or is there an off season?

Will the UL horses now have to travel more and compete more?

Just wondering. Saw the article on EN, and honestly, it just made me feel… unsettled.

[gardenie]

I don’t think anyone can event year round unless they are a professional. I think the pros that fail to rest horses won’t rest horses any more or less due to the “new” schedule. As they say, it’s five o’clock somewhere. For example, I ended up taking a big break with my horse this summer, and was able to pick up again rather early due to location and availability. I will take an earlier, more planned break in the summer this year. I think events are “trying on” different dates, but won’t do it again if there aren’t enough entries to support it. I’m thinking Sporting Days might not do another December HT because low entries. I am not part of the organization don’t quote me, just noting I would think hard about it if I were them.

[findeight]

Other disciplines go all year or very close to it these days but there’s a limit to how often upper level horses are competed due to the physical exertion required on the upper levels.

Are you advocating shortening the Eventing season in areas where it’s possible to run over winter?

[redalter]

I should clarify.
I love that, now, pretty much year round, there is a horse trial somewhere.

Everyone gets to be able to compete more - I mean that if I lived in AL, I could compete because now there are horse trials there, when there may not have been before. For the vast majority, I would think, we probably compete near to where we live, when possible, and it is only the few ULs and financially more well off that can follow the HT’s around the country more.
I hope that I explained it a little better.

Since our sport can’t really move indoors for the winter in colder climates, it stands to reason that it would go in in southern climates, plus, with events all over the country, everyone, or at least, more people across the country can compete.

[Auburn]

Back in the late '70’s, I worked for a show jumping, BNT, who rode for the Team. He was in AL. He always did MSG, then came home, turned his jumpers out for a month, brought them back into work in January, then back on the rode to FL in February.

I thought that he did it the right way. I feel that horses need the time to just be horses. Of course, the BNT was riding with de Nemethy, so I am certain that he followed what de Nemethy wanted done.

[redalter]

[QUOTE=Auburn;9003140]
Back in the late '70’s, I worked for a show jumping, BNT, who rode for the Team. He was in AL. He always did MSG, then came home, turned his jumpers out for a month, brought them back into work in January, then back on the rode to FL in February.

I thought that he did it the right way. I feel that horses need the time to just be horses. Of course, the BNT was riding with de Nemethy, so I am certain that he followed what de Nemethy wanted done.[/QUOTE]

:eek:

So did you meet God!!!??

Wow.

And agree.

[FitToBeTied]

When I started eventing decades ago, the season started at the very end of March and ended at the end of October. Then it was fox hunting season. I used to see some upper level horses and big name riders hunting.

[SouthernYankee]

Please keep in mind that the weather in AL will keep people from competing in the dead of the summer. When it’s 100+ degrees for 3 straight months it’s hard to do much safely without overheating. Yeah we may get to ride all winter long but the majority of us don’t ride much in the summer.

I think the snowbirds, those that summer in the north and winter in the south, are the people that will be competing year round. Granted most of those are the professionals.

I haven’t read the article. And I only foxhunt anymore so take my opinion for what it’s worth. From a fox hunting perspective we give our horses a few months off in the spring. Meaning they are typically turned out and not sat on for 2ish months. Then we go back to trail riding and reconditioning them.

[Highflyer]

It’s not really a new development-- I have done the year end points for my GMO the last few years and there are always several junior and/ or amateur riders who are nationally ranked. Generally they compete January or February through November. One junior rider had the top horse on the USEA leaderboard in her division one year. IIRC correctly she competed 18-19 times.

[mg]

On the flip side, a longer season means someone could do a “reasonable” number of events with longer time in between each one.

[CiegoStar]

The “average ammy” has never been able to compete financially for year-end points compared to those who can afford to travel south for the winter. A year-round schedule wouldn’t change that dynamic, except perhaps to make it more competitive amongst the elite amateurs who chase points.

[ACountingRider]

Wait, do we have an event in AL now?

Maybe my point is mute because I live in Alabama. I’ll agree we really have two mini-breaks. Up until a few years ago there were not events in June and July, and I still along with others take a break those two months as well.
One event now holds a two week event, and it makes since because the kids are out of school, but it’s too dangerous to run upper-levels those two months.

You can hold out that the same rider in Area II will come down and do our spring events, but when is Area II’s last event? October, at least for the UL’s. Certainly before Ocala. So the rider that travels from Area II to Area III in winter most likely has a long winter break, whereas the rider staying in Area III has 2 short breaks.

I’m excited to have a Fall FEI event in our area. Our only other option is Poplar much earlier.

[DrBeckett]

I don’t think it’s a bad thing. And I don’t think that the pros will overuse their horses. So far I’m seeing them bringing new horses up in the winter and maybe prepping one or two for Rolex in April. Most professionals are sensible and realize they can’t go year round with one horse.

[gp19]

I’ve always felt like the season is year round for those brave enough to compete in summer. First weekend in January-end of November is year round. But I’m also in Area III. I’ve always felt Chatt Hills pushes it having shows all summer. Area III Champs are at Chatt the second week of July this year. Hello heat stroke. But people do it and they survive without a complaint. The ammy’s in my barn will be at Poplar next weekend starting their season and will also be at Chatt in July, chasing points and AEC’s. I have a friend who did Ocala last weekend, after November Poplar and Pine Top Thanksgiving. Her mare didn’t get any time off in December, preparing for Ocala. Most people (all amny’s) I know compete year round and don’t take any time off to speak of.

[pcwertb]

As a FL resident, my farm the horses have down time in May and then again August/Sept. We usually go back to really riding in October for the winter season. Too hot for anything else!