Weekend Results

Way too much time on my hands...but I thought your question about The Fork vs. Galway an interesting one from a statistical standpoint and took a look at results. I compared the CIC three-star results from both events, two years (08 and 09) and laid them against final finishers at Rolex in both years. I don't think what I found bears out your opinion - check the email! :)

Hey Retread, I'll definitely take a look at the results, and I love analysis like this. But, to be clear, my point was only concerning the difficulty of THIS year's Galway. In the sense that 81% of the CIC3* XC rides were clear and 0% of riders were eliminated, this surely will be one of the highest percentages of clear rounds for a CIC3* this year, and my guess (from the numbers) is that it rode easier that The Fork will this weekend. Therefore, my point is that people who chose to use Galway rather than The Fork for their pre-Rolex CIC3* ended up (presumably) running a more straightforward track than they would have in NC. I'm not making any assertion regarding the suitability of Galway as a Rolex prep in any previous years because I didn't look at those numbers from previous years, but I'm looking forward to doing so.

Also, for the record, there's nothing inherently wrong with a course being designed to run easier than the average for that level, so don't think I'm getting after Galway or the course designer. Each event has it's own personality and reputation.

as part of the design team at home having an easier run course verses a harder run course is a difficult decision sometimes.
We dance jigs when a level finishes without any falls. We are even happier when a lower level (the entry, pre-training levels) get through cross-country with no eliminations. We want them to finish.

but at the higher levels. tough call. pulling in entries is also important. If your course is too tough people wont come.
in one perspective it is nice to have a more welcoming course at a higher level that you will get through without elimination as it definitely boosts the confidence of the horse as well as the rider before attacking a big scary course like Rolex.