The hardiness of the long-distance horse

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 28

The hardiness of the long-distance horse

By

BARBARA HEARD

One of the most gruelling tests in the sporting world will lake place at Ashburton, when the Wills New Zealand three-day event is held on June 6. 7 and 8. and for which a total of 57 horses and riders, from all over New Zealand, will compete. The three-day event — still known as “the Military" in some European countries •— originated in cavalry exercises. and it was from the need for the horse to be disciplined, bold, able to jump and go fast across country, and to be accurate in his jumping, that the present competition evolved. It first appeared in the Olympic Games in 1912. at which time it was restricted to Army teams. These days, the barriers are down, few Army people compete compared with civilians. and girls frequently prove themselves equal to and better than men. A number of the young riders, who recently competed in the New Zealand pony club championships over a course that was described as a little Badminton, will be having a go at the three-day event, and in doing so. will almost strike a real Badminton, . There are three phases in the event — dressage, endurance and show jumping. Dressage, on the first day at the Ashburton Racecourse, is basically gymnastics on horse-back, or a demonstration of the level of training

and obedience of the horse, and the discipline between horse and rider. But what has to be borne in mind is that at this stage, the horse must show himself to be calm and obedient and concentrating. while still being fit enough to run for his life the next day. Endurance day is the exciting and tough one, and the one best suited for the spectators. The Badminton horse trials, the world’s elite threeday event, which was last year won by New Zealander. Mark Todd, attracts 150.000 spectators on endurance day. But for horses and riders, especially in the advanced class, it" is a real test of stamina, courage and fitness. For instance, in the advanced class, the first of the four phases of the endurance day at Mr lan McKellar’s beautiful property. "Riversdale." is roads and tracks of 5270 metres, to be covered at an average speed of 220 metres per minute, or 13.2 km/h — a good trotting pace. This is a limbering-up time for horse and rider — but it has to be judged so that it is ridden to conserve the energy of both. Riders quite often run alongside their horses to save them in this section.

From the first roads and tracks, they come on to the 4000 m steeplechase course

over 16 fences at a maximum height of 1.4 m. The speed is 690 metres per minute (41.4 kmh) — or three-quarter pace. and again, it has to be carefully judged so that though time is not lost, it is ridden to conserve the horse. The second roads and tracks section is ll;950m on which the horse — fit as he may be. he will be blown after the steeplechase — gets the chance to unwind and settle.

The final and hardest phase, the cross-country, is preceded by a lOmin compulsory halt, when the horse is checked by the veterinarian to ensure'he is capable of continuing. Here, too. the rider gets finally psyched up for the cross-country, and learns how the course is riding.

Then they're off on a 6450 m gallop across rolling Canterbury countryside, with 37 fences, totalling 49 actual jumps, between them and home. The fences will be up to the maximum of 1.20 m, with a maximum spread at base of 2.80 m. The course is timed at 570 metres per minute (34.2 km/h). Balance and rhythm are vital here, and the rider must gauge his horse's capacity carefully so that they do not incur time penalties, but have enough “petrol” left to complete the

course without distress. In total the advanced horses are required to travel 28km in 104 min. jumping 66 fences altogether. Indeed, the utmost test of endurance for horse and rider. The intermediate and novice classes are less taxing, having fewer fences over a shorter distance. And in all this, unlike racing, the horse and rider are entirely alone — and that makes it harder still. The rider has to walk the course carefully, so that he knows the best way around for him and his horse, where he can save time, where he will tackle the fences, and. in some cases, what alternatives he will take: does he jump the hard part and save time, or go the easy way that takes longer? Horses must carry 75kg. which for lightweight riders means a lot of lead, and dead weight which, as every steeplechase jockey knows, makes things that much harder for the horse. The third day, back to the racecourse, opens with veterinary inspection. during which all horses still in the competition, are examined by an expert panel, and trotted out to ensure soundness. Past the check, they go on to the show jumping course where the maximum height of the fences will be 1.20 m. This is not, of course, a show jumping competition as

.-uch -- although the performances may well decide the result. It is a phase of the event designed to show that horse and rider are still fit and agile, and capable of accuracy and concentration after the endurance. What it all amounts to is that, after months of preparation. horse and rider must be superbly fit. agile, bold and confident in each other. With a strong North Island contingent competing, the North and South will fight a close battle in the interisland teams' competition for the Atlantic Stiver Spurs. Also of importance to promising rider and horse combinations will be the presence of two North Island selectors. Brian Bull and lan Millwood, and three South Island selectors. Joan McCall. Alan Hampton and Tracey Rogers. These selectors will be looking for any potential material for the 1982 world championships in Germany. Thirteen horses will start in the Wills Challenge Trophy. including last year's winner. Sharon McFarlane (Winton) on Callan Light: the evergreen Dusky Bay. ridden by Mrs Florence West (Canterbury), a horse with a tremendous eventing record; and the former Canterbury horse. Cyclone, now ridden by the experienced Malcolm McCall (Gore). The recent Al Cup winners

at the New Zealand pony club championships. Joanne Abram (Auckland) and Raszarda. will find. this a very much tougher test, while the former international rider. Joanne Bridgeman (Cambridge) on Raupo,

will be well used to events of this standard. The first class of the day will be the 34-strong novice event, competing for the Manakau Trophy, followed by the intermediate class, where nine will compete for

the Piccadilly Trophy. The. major, advanced class, will run last. The cross-country course,designed by Alan Hampton, of Rakaia, is an architect's, dream in beauty, solidness' and construction.