What’s Going On Here?

 

I did a quick glance through the entries at the upcoming Ocala CCI**.  I was a bit surprised to notice a rider entered certain horses to compete in the CCI** after running at the Fork CIC** this past weekend [results].

Perhaps I’m just Old School, but I thought it was generally practiced that your last competition should be 2-3 weeks out from your scheduled three-day (CCI).  Two weeks or more allows a little time to recover from the horse trial, in case anything should go wrong; you might run that last event “easy” to protect the horse and give him a positive experience.  Or you might try out a few things, adjusting on approaches, trusting him a little more, a little braver line here or there, just to know how much you can “go for it” at your three-day.  All your major fitness work is done by this point, you are just maintaining it and gently peaking.  But overall, you hope your last run before a three-day is a good outing, leaving your horse and yourself feeling prepared; and if not perfect, at least you’ll have a week or two to do some fixin’.  The last week or two before a three-day, you’d like to smother your horse in bubble wrap and hold your breath he stays healthy, sound, and happy until that Wednesday jog.
Given this philosophy, I was left scratching my head to notice a couple CIC** horses who finished inside the time on a xc course with reportedly “sticky” footing in places…these horses are then scheduled to run back immediately at a CCI**?  At the intermediate level, I would greatly hesitate to run two full horse trials on back-to-back weekends…much less a horse trial and a three-day event.  What kind of fuzzy math and questionable horsemanship is this?
Is this driven by the new FEI Classification System?  The FEI, in all their wisdom, sought to create a way to “slow down” riders in a hurry to qualify for big important upper level events.  In theory, less experienced riders must complete more events to prove their competency; this doesn’t sound all bad, does it?  But it comes at the expense of the horse– does an experienced, older, upper level campaigner need to run another series of lower events, at the risk to his soundness and ever-increasing age?
Take the case of Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV; Remi has been all over the world with Boyd Martin, and proved to be an exceptionally successful four-star horse.  Caitlin has proven herself to be safe at the Advanced level with her own horse, Catch A Star; as Boyd’s right-hand girl, I’m sure Caitlin has ridden Remi quite a bit in the last few years, though never in competition until recently.  In such a case, horse and rider already have a bit of experience apart, and have known each other for years, and all that’s left is to show it in competition.  Last year, Caitlin hoped to take Remi to Rolex in 2013; the new FEI rules instead dictate that this Olympic-alternate horse must complete another two star, and then a three star, before Caitlin can take him to Rolex.  And if anything small goes amiss at one of these competitions (like accidentally jumping the wrong last fence), they’ll have to run another one for qualification. Meanwhile, Caitlin will ride her own horse around Rolex this year.  What has changed from 2012 to 2013 that makes Caitlin a less capable rider, other than the FEI rules?  But Caitlin is doing the best she can with Remington, given her circumstances.  She will gain qualifying events as they fit into the calendar with good horsemanship; and hopefully the 17-year-old Remington will be able to re-qualify for his 4th Rolex CCI**** event with a talented, though not Team-experienced, rider.
Thanks, FEI, you really made that one all better.
There is a way to get around these rules, of course; these rules designed to “protect” horse welfare and rider safety can technically be followed and yet demonstrate a surprising lack of horsemanship.  If you choose to enter every CIC and CCI on the calendar, ship your horse all over the nation (and perhaps visit another country or two), it is possible to get all those qualifications in a hurry.  But at what expense?  Are horses so expendable we just haul them wherever, whenever like machines?  I know upper level horses receive all the best care, cutting-edge therapies, excellent veterinary attention and farriery; but while you’re chasing bits of FEI paperwork, wouldn’t he rather be spending some more time turned out at home with his buddies?  Is it really in the horse’s best interest to compete to the very edge of his limits?
Is it the FEI’s fault that riders would push a horse to these limits, to fulfill qualifications (and chase dreams)?  At what point do you quit making rules for what’s “right” and rely on rider responsibility?  Do all these rules make riders more, or less responsible for their horses?
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Update: Commenter roxysoxy pointed out correctly that completing The Fork and then entering the Ocala CCI2* isn’t necessarily limited to one rider.  At least one other pair finished the advanced and is entered in Ocala.
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