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2ND ANNUAL RUS ONTARIO FITNESS TEST AND HANDS
ON SEMINAR HAS THE HORSE WORLD HITTING THE GYM THIS SPRING!
It was a windy, cool Sunday March 13th that
saw over a dozen new, and current racing under saddle riders test their
athletic abilities during the 2nd annual RUS Ontario rider
fitness test at the University of Guelph.
It was an all-women showing of new RUS enthusiasts
getting a chance to meet current riders and board members from RUS
Ontario. The most physically demanding aspect of the test; a 3 km run
to be completed under 15 minutes, welcomed the participants to the
University’s Gryphon Field House indoor track. With each lap
averaging 1 minute over a 200 meter distance, the girls set an
impressive pace amongst the group, with several finishing within the
allowed time, and the rest close behind. It was an notable improvement
on the previous year’s results, with everyone finishing their 3 km
within a 20 minute timeframe.
After a short 5 minute break the remainder of the
physical test continued with 1 minute push-ups, 1 minute squat to
jumps, 2 minute plank, 1 minute sit ups, and a 2 minute wall sit. Each
participant had their personal times recorded for all of the events and
provided to them following the fitness test as a baseline to work
from throughout the racing season.
While the fitness test has not been made mandatory for
the 2016 racing under saddle season, it is well on its way to being
incorporated in the rigorous guidelines to becoming a licensed RUS
rider in Canada. The test is based on the mandatory guidelines for
monte riders in Norway and Sweden, with time additions to the plank and
wall-sit. The physical demands as a monte rider cannot be taken
lightly, and those who were in attendance for Sunday’s test are well on
their way to being prepared for a demanding racing season.
Later in the day riders met at Puslinch’s Shamrock
Training Center for several exciting, and informative hands-on group
work stations. Participants were given a copy of the ORC rule book for
studying purposes, as many riders are coming into the Standardbred
racing world for the first time. Backgrounds in eventing, show jumping,
and dressage to name a few were introduced to the Standardbred world
via the RUS Ontario program. Race replays were on hand for discussion
and analysis. A wide array of racing and training equipment was
provided for explanation, and most anticipated of all was the
opportunity to ride a Standardbred racehorse in racing gear.
Six standardbreds took beginners around a secured sand ring, and
later, set to the track with intermediate riders under the careful
guidance of RUS Ontario’s experienced riders and horses.
It was an invaluable and inspirational experience for
those in attendance. For those who were unable to attend, interested
participants can still catch up with RUS Ontario at the upcoming All-Equine Show at the Western Fair,
London Ontario March 25-27, and again at the Can-Am All Breed Expo in Markham Ontario,
April 1-3. An equine simulator, courtesy of RUS Ontario’s major
sponsor, MAD Barn Equine Nutrition will be on-hand to provide the
racing experience to the public. RUS riders will be available both
weekends to answer any and all questions to help you on your way to
achieving your goals as a monte rider.
Qualifiers are scheduled every Thursday at Flamboro
Raceway, and Friday at Western Fair Raceway now into the racing season,
and spectators are welcomed and encouraged.
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