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I confess, I'd like to go back to the days when the Olympics were for amateurs.
I'm not so keen on the idea of professional footballers, golfers, tennis etc representing their country.
That could possibly even extend to equestrian events.
I realise they may be the best in the world, but it would just be nice to see more "ordinary" folks given the chance to shine
I'm sorry but anyone who thinks equestrians aren't athletes obviously has never competed in any serious horseback riding competition. 90% of the work done by a rider is thro the leg and back muscles. Unlike Western style, the hands rarely come into it, but the arm and shoulder muscles have to be in peak condition to keep a 2000lb animal under total control no matter what. The fitness training required is enormous: weight-lifting, pilates, intense yoga for flexibility and concentration, squats, leg-lifts, etc, etc, every day for hours are the norm. Just take a look at the strength training recommended in this site alone (Strength Training for the Equestrian | Rate My Horse PRO)
"Equestrians should include aerobic workouts at least three days a week to increase the cardiovascular and muscular conditioning necessary to ride competently and safely."
"Horseback riding engages several of the body's muscle groups, including the quadriceps -- the group of large muscles in the front of your thigh -- as well as the sartorius, gracilis, adductors and pectineus muscles."
I have ridden since I was 6 years old and can speak from experience. The aches and bruises acquired during just a single lesson are phenomenal and can last for days. Injuries happen all the time. There isn't a single rider who hasn't broken a bone (usually the clavicle and ribs) and in competitions like the Olympics you are expected to climb back on the horse and continue riding even with a break.
I'm sorry but anyone who thinks equestrians aren't athletes obviously has never competed in any serious horseback riding competition. 90% of the work done by a rider is thro the leg and back muscles. Unlike Western style, the hands rarely come into it, but the arm and shoulder muscles have to be in peak condition to keep a 2000lb animal under total control no matter what. The fitness training required is enormous: weight-lifting, pilates, intense yoga for flexibility and concentration, squats, leg-lifts, etc, etc, every day for hours are the norm. Just take a look at the strength training recommended in this site alone (Strength Training for the Equestrian | Rate My Horse PRO)
"Equestrians should include aerobic workouts at least three days a week to increase the cardiovascular and muscular conditioning necessary to ride competently and safely."
"Horseback riding engages several of the body's muscle groups, including the quadriceps -- the group of large muscles in the front of your thigh -- as well as the sartorius, gracilis, adductors and pectineus muscles."
I have ridden since I was 6 years old and can speak from experience. The aches and bruises acquired during just a single lesson are phenomenal and can last for days. Injuries happen all the time. There isn't a single rider who hasn't broken a bone (usually the clavicle and ribs) and in competitions like the Olympics you are expected to climb back on the horse and continue riding even with a break.
If riding a nag batters the body so much how come a bloke of 56 can do it ?
I have NEVER seen a bloke over the age of 40 playing this sport at competitive representative level, nor can women mix it with the men.
I don't ride horses much, but my fiancee does.
From what I understand, if you continue to ride horses at a high level, the muscles and skills you develop when you start riding will not diminish.
Therefore, if you take that fitness, and add years of experience, that's why older riders can compete with much younger competitors.
The young 'uns may be much fitter, but compared to the seasoned campaigners they may still have a lot to learn.
After all, equestrianism isn't entirely predictable since horses are all different. What works with one won't work with all. At least with other sports balls, cues, cars, racquets etc are all fairly identical. You know roughly what to expect when you start
Horses aren't. They are independently thinking animals.
It's all about getting the best out of your ride. The oldies are often better at that.
Sure, they may not be able to run a 100 metres in 10 seconds, or play 80 minutes of rugby, but then neither could a rugby player or sprinter cope with taking a 1000 lb plus animal around a 4 mile course with massive obstacles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nzrugby
If riding a nag batters the body so much how come a bloke of 56 can do it ?
I have NEVER seen a bloke over the age of 40 playing this sport at competitive representative level, nor can women mix it with the men.
Much as I love rugby also, it's just ridiculous to compare it to horse riding, they are such different sports and the nature of the physicality is completely different.
Effectively this comparison is similar to "We can eat potatoes with our steak, so why not rocks ? They are underground too"
I don't ride horses much, but my fiancee does.
From what I understand, if you continue to ride horses at a high level, the muscles and skills you develop when you start riding will not diminish.
Therefore, if you take that fitness, and add years of experience, that's why older riders can compete with much younger competitors.
The young 'uns may be much fitter, but compared to the seasoned campaigners they may still have a lot to learn.
After all, equestrianism isn't entirely predictable since horses are all different. What works with one won't work with all. At least with other sports balls, cues, cars, racquets etc are all fairly identical. You know roughly what to expect when you start
Horses aren't. They are independently thinking animals.
It's all about getting the best out of your ride. The oldies are often better at that.
Sure, they may not be able to run a 100 metres in 10 seconds, or play 80 minutes of rugby, but then neither could a rugby player or sprinter cope with taking a 1000 lb plus animal around a 4 mile course with massive obstacles.
Much as I love rugby also, it's just ridiculous to compare it to horse riding, they are such different sports and the nature of the physicality is completely different.
Effectively this comparison is similar to "We can eat potatoes with our steak, so why not rocks ? They are underground too"
In his day I would have put money on Ian Kirkpatrick ( all black captain )farmer) taking a horse around a 4 mile course, good polo player Ian, even at 17 stone.
That is the point, horse riders have no physicality when compared to all other Olympic sports outside of shooting where none at all is needed.
The problem with making motor racing an Olympic sport is the variety of styles and the expense of building a track.
Do you limit it to oval track - or also have road course events? What about drag racing?
Do you have just one type of car or allow stock, open wheel, modified, sprint car, F1, ect all compete? How about motorcycles and trucks? Off road and street rallying?
I suppose the expense for a host country to build a track or tracks for the events could be dealt with by holding the motor racing competitions in a designated country or several different ones - but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a worldwide competition in one metro area.
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