So what do people think about Slezak running Hot Bobo at Kentucky and then running him two weeks later at Tryon International?
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He did the 4* short, and is now doing the 4*L with her at Tryon. According to press, that was always his plan. Probably a good 30% of the horses at Tryon were at Kentucky. There are several also doing the same thing, its not uncommon. She’s fit for a 4L. Please don’t think this is a horsemanship issue.
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It seems reasonable to me, especially if he’s planning on a bit of a break over the summer.
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Sadly, today’s eventing structure is geared to this sort of schedule. Many folks ran KY to prepare for the Pan Am selectors who will be at Tryon. This is a new and different sport, closer to the jumpers in terms of expectations, selections, and schedules.
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It’s a standard prep for a 4L I believe.
What is the difference between the Advanced and 4* Short divisions?
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Not a whole lot as far as technicality goes, but the dressage tests are different, obviously the drug rules are different, and sometimes the national level has one less fence or something on cross country. Sometimes, the qualifications or categorizing of riders effects entering the FEI vs National division. But as far as what the horses are asked to do, not much is different 
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The prep process in the US is influenced more by competition availability and geography than in Europe.
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There were several horses in the Tryon 4L who ran the 4S at Kentucky. A 4S as far as number of jumps and length of course is not that far off an Advanced HT, so 2 weeks out from a 4L could easily be part of the prep. Also with the new USEF bidding process for advanced HTs, 3L, 4S, and 4L dates there are very few 4L options so these riders are planning their whole spring seasons to lead up to these qualifiers.
I was on course today and watched Hot Bobo come through several of the tough combinations and she looked fit and full of running
She’s 4th going into Showjumping. Such an exciting horse for Canadas future!
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Think of it as a very expensive horse trial…pretty much the same course as a regular horse trial, about the same length, perhaps some more difficult combos. To get qualified to do the “long format” you have to have a certain number of MERs and within a certain amount of time. I feel like the FEI is not thinking of a horses longevity by making the horses run more to qualify for the events.
