WEG Endurance

[vineyridge]

Pippa Cuckson, a thorn in the FEI’s side for endurance, has a blog on Horse Canada. She has written an article about on the current preparations for the endurance course that is based on a story in the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

It seems that the endurance track is going to be as much as 50 feet wide, completely denuded of any natural vegetation or rocks, and probably any natural variation in surfaces. Cuckson says this is in keeping with the UAE’s desert endurance and also with its sponsorship of the Endurance aspect of WEG.

Both her Horse Canada post and the Tryon Daily Bulletin article are interesting reading. TEIC and the FEI seem to be claiming that the devastation and manicured track are required to receive USDA approval for piriplasmosis prevention.
It seems that 40 international endurance horses are piriplasmosis positive, and the USDA doesn’t seem to want to prevent them from entering the US to compete.

It’s interesting; the story that Cuckson used has been removed from the Daily Bulletin site since earlier today.

https://horse-canada.com/cuckson-rep…nt-scar-sport/
https://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2…usda-approval/

[skydy]

That the FEI, or any other organization would allow the UAE any say whatsoever about the administration, change in terrain from the classic (aka normal, not flat speed racing as the UAE “endurance racing” that has been run in their own playground to the detriment and death many of horses) is disgusting .

The lying and cheating and abuse of horses that had the entire UAE NA suspended from the FEI not long ago, which had been taking place for years, should keep any organization that purports to advocate for the horse (here’s lookin’ at you FEI) from accepting the sponsorship of any International Endurance event from Meydan, (the UAE and all it’s other entities) let alone allowing it for the WEG,

It’s a money grubbing shame.

[Guilherme]

Be careful of people with agendas!!!

During the Atlanta games many competition horses had potential issues with USDA import restrictions. The IOC required the Atlanta authorities to establish a “quarantine barn” where horses with otherwise disqualifying conditions (including piroplasmosis) were to be kept. Our farrier for many years was the farrier for this barn. IIRC he said there were few actual horses there but they were present. I understand that such arrangements are not unusual if not common.

I would agree that a giant denuding of the terrain for an endurance course would be odd but I’d be a bit careful before I presumed a “giant conspiracy.”

Does this course exist? We are within a but a very few weeks of the beginning of the WEG and I would think that if such a construction was required it would be well under construction. Is it as claimed? My guess is that if you knew where it was you might find aerial pictures of it. That would answer at least the first question.

I’m not a fan of or participant in endurance activities, but have many Marchador friends who are. The breed is used for such activities in Brazil with success. The world endurance record was (and may still be) held by 3 Brazilians who rode six Marchadors around the circumference of Brazil (almost 20,000km) in two years, two months, and a few days. It was not a race. It was an accomplishment.

I understand the concern and the roots of the concern.

G.

[vineyridge]

The link from Cuckson’s story still works.
https://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2018/08/11/cutting-a-swath/

[Guilherme]

I read the article. The concerns about ticks and disease transmission are quite real. Importation of Machadors is difficult and expensive due to disease transmission concerns.

As to the rest, if they’ve got the money to spend then I guess they can do that.

If they maintain that track after the WEG then it will be an awfully nice conditioning trail.

G.

[shiloh]

Did I miss something? The UAE (esp Sheik Mohammed and his sons) has been roundly criticized for their treatment of their animals - in fact, were suspended for said treatment - and yet they are allowed to sponsor this event? And for all intents and purposes appear to be being catered to? I realize these things need sponsors but to accept money from someone or an entity so controversial seems rather contradictory to me. And isn’t the idea of endurance (as I understand it) that your horse should be adaptable to all terrain? And if not, then you just stay in your own comfort zone? I guess money really does “fix” everything. And if you have more money than god, than you can consider yourself one?

I confused. smh (shaking my head and scratching my head)