Eventing Radio Episode 108 – Lucinda Green
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James Wofford is our guest this week as part of the Inspirational People Series. Listen in here…
Eventing Radio Episode 108 – Show Notes and Links:
- Show Host: Chris Stafford
- Photo Credit: USEA; www.useventing.com
- Guest: Lucinda Green
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Chris,
I really enjoyed this episode of the show (well it was the first time I listened to be honest). Ms Greene has been a favorite speaker of mine since I hear her talk about horse and rider safety in Eventing three years ago. I’m an adult rider, yet new to the sport, starting at 45 (now riding for 5+ years). I was introduced to eventing by my trainer and fell in love.
Regarding the long vs short format. I just completed in the “shortest Long Format” Event in Soutth Carolina and found how they approached organizing the show fantastic. In big part because they worked it all they way down to BN where I ride. I advocate the long format, though listening to Lucinda I also agree that it could be a wearing out of the horse over time. I also agree with the idea that steeple chase sets up the horse for the cross country to come.
Where I differ is in the application of roads and track. As a starting rider, learning pace, gaining the time with the horse between dressage and the jumps is an important time. Placing a “test” between the two extremes helps the ride gain better feel for pacing. I think to go from dressage to blasting away is just as much a juxtaposition as the short format dressage to cross country. Perhaps to ease the impact on horses, to challenge riders ,the A, B, and C phases could be shortened as the levels increase, and riders with watches gain tougher penalty points in A and C so requires knowing how a pace feels. In this way the horse is not as used up, yet perhaps gets into a groove just the same.
given my lifestyle and age I doubt I’ll ever be able to achieve training and the chance to perform in a true long format, but that there are places out there willing to adapt and change so this style of competition can be experience by more riders is a good thing. Like Lucinda, I believe in safety, fun first and not so much a scare them till the hurt approach I see growing, even in BN. Long format (or medium) may be the way to balance out the differences and build more confident, stronger riders.
I look forward to listening to more shows in the future and I do thank you for having Lucinda Greene on a guest. That I could clone her and have her for an instructor. Take care and stay warm,
Justin Hull