As I am fairly new to driving and haven't experienced all of the transitions that the sport has gone through since it's inception, I have often wondered how the walk section came about and why it has such a significant impact on a horse's success in CDEs. In my experience as both a navigator and driver at all levels of competition, very few competitors seem to breeze through the walk section.
Jennifer Singleton of the CAA does a wonderful job of posting great interviews and articles on all things driving. In a recent article with Michael Freund, the subject of the walk section came up.
"Michal admitted that one of his gripes with the traditional marathon courses is that, while people can stand by the marathon obstacles and see who goes the fastest, they might not understand when the fastest driver doesn’t place well because of penalty points on the walk section, for instance. He says that the marathon walk section makes little sense anymore. “When the marathons were very long, it was a ‘relax’ section but now it only causes stress.” He explained that driving attracts so many different breeds of horses, and many of them simply can’t walk fast enough to make the correct times."
In looking through the ADS rule book recently, I saw where there were multiple walk sections for the 5 section marathons and I can see where the walks are important for the horses to cool off and rest. I don't believe many if any of the CDE's run the 5 section anymore, so per Michael's comments, why should an otherwise very competent CDE horse be penalized because they can't make the walk times?
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Erin K
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... It's usually Prelim-Advanced where the walk section is more of a factor because the times are so hard to make for some horses. I definitely see it's purpose for the reasons you mentioned and I don't believe anyone feels the walk should be removed, but because the times are so quick, to me it feels more like another challenge than a cool down, get the horse situationed b/f marathon section. Can my horse trot out, can my horse walk quickly, can my horse manuveur through obstacles quickly? All sports change over time and people like Michael and me I guess are wondering if the walk should weigh so heavily on the whether a horse can be a successful CDE horse. |
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Chris
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... I think it's still something that Training Level should maintain since that's where most beginning CDE drivers and horses start their CDE careers. Beginners often push too hard and don't always know when their horse has been pushed too hard. The walk section provides that break in the push and may just save a horse's life. When you've done it a while or you're really good at knowing when your horse has had enough, that's one thing, but there are people who either don't know or don't care. |
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Erin K
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... I missed a 4th place placing at the Lexington CDE by .33 points...I had .8 penalty points on the walk section. Frustrating. |
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