NZ Endurance Squad Rider

March 2010 Hoy update

Hi Carol,

Well after a very unfortunate circumstance in last year’s HOY 2009  along with some other personal issues in life , and a very long round trip from Oamaru, I returned to HOY 2010 with the only one thing in mind and that was to win the Endurance competition and not just qualify. I went to win and even when asked by various people as to how I felt about it, I kept that to myself! I just said my horse is good and we have a chance of completion.
I knew that it was my time. The run up to HOY was a very quiet and easy training session, making sure that I did not over race Zion prior to, we had just completed 2x40 km rides and one 80 km ride, although one of the 40s I was disqualified for missing out a marker, well these things happen in our discipline as people have experienced, However Zion was feeling so good and it was just my intention to let him run freely, as I have had to hold back some of his exuberance to run of late.

On the day of the ride we gathered ourselves together. Zion was feeling good and giving me the feeling that he wanted to run, a different feeling than ever before, along with constrained excitement. We started with the intention of sitting in mid field, but that was short lived as Zion decided that he needed to be up front so I let him dictate. We then picked up all other horses in front and were first at the first vet check.

Taking my time and just allowing some horses in front of me was a good choice for me as Zion loves to chase. We then carried on in the next two loops doing exactly that and it proved once again to be a good strategy as we come in first again on both of those loops.

Not pushing Zion I knew that he would be ready for the final run home as he normally is, the energy that remained within him was amazing. We had never walked at all over the previous 72 kms, trotting and cantering all the way. I knew that the last 18 kms cantering  home would be easy for him to cruise over the finish line and this he did.
Although the day started off  a little cool this was short lived as the sun come up, with very little cover from the relentless sun. It was very warm and the ground very hard. Both Zion and I worked it out as previously planned as I would certainly not normally canter over some of the ground that we had encountered! We took that chance and it proved to be a winning decision.

Coming over the line. and the second place was 30+ mins behind, and 3rd place over an hour, I believe that without the assistance of Vetpro and the product that I have used in my preparation for this competition things may have been a little different. I put my achievement down to the use of Musclemax, B Boost, Quick-lyte, Performance Minerals, and much more!. Other products used are Arctic Blast instant cooling rugs, cooling and compression bandages (Reusable). Not to mention being dehydrated myself, the use of cooling gel pads helped me recover quicker that I would normally. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tina and all of her staff for their support over the last 8 years. Without this help the competition, and getting my horses to optimum health and fitness would just be a little tougher.

A personal thank you to Tina herself, for the personal support and kind thoughts, especially over a very trying time these last 6 months.

Alex Lothian

Vetpro Endurance Rider NZ

September 2008 update

"It is with great anticipation that I look forward to this year’s competitions, however all has started a little slowly due to some issues in life, and notwithstanding the unseasonal weather of late. Training is under way right now and some new horses  starting  out, my stallion Pine lodge Maximus now in his first year of competition, with a resting HR of 28, and after training showing a very quick recovery rate, I have good visions of him doing well.

Also back out this season are my two main campaigners Zion my good and trusty mount, and Colourful Captain that Megan rides for me in competition, I also have Zealia a open horse, and Alamode Arianna, as you may see there is a lot of hours to be put in to all of them so I can attain they levels that I hope for this season. If it were not for Vetpro I do feel that things would be a little more difficult to get them to the fitness and condition as needed, so I would like to thank you all at Vetpro for your generous sponsorship once again this year and for all of the advice given over the last few years of our association. I will endeavour once again to keep you all informed of our progress throughout the fourth coming season, and would like to once again recommend that anyone out there that may need various supplements then please give the friendly staff at Vetpro a call, I am sure that you will not be disappointed."

"I wish to let you know that I have now been named on the NZ Endurance squad for 2007/2008 along with Megan who rides for me.  We both have WEG 2010 in mind along with World Champs also Trans Tasman."

"Well with the 2006 season now well behind us, and having a very busy year! with moving the whole stud from Napier to Oamaru in the South Island, a challenge on its own, did not leave much time by way of competitions.  However after returning home after WEG 2006 in Aachen Germany, I used what time I had left to get to know the rides here in the South Island.

As time was getting on and lost quite a bit of competition time, I decided that it was still important to keep the horses going, also it gave me the perfect chance to bring on some young horses, prior to this next season which will be a very tough and competitive year, for myself and all 6 horses now in work.  I must also mention that I have been named on the New Zealand squad for 07/08 so things have to step up, to fulfil this appointment.  I would also like to congratulate Megan who rides for me her at Al-Maree Arabians for being selected too.

Without the product and sponsorship of Vetpro, I am sure that things would certainly be a bit different, however here are a few of the following products that I have used extensively in my training program.

Muscle Max-A very important product used daily ensuring my horses maintain good body condition throughout training and competition and the long distances that we ride.

Cooling Gel- plays a very big part in my discipline especially at the end of a long and grueling ride, it certainly keeps the horses legs cool and stops them from swelling.

Relax Calming Formula- This is one of the best calming products that I have used, it is important that my horses are kept in a nice relaxed state especially whilst travelling long distances to compete.  I have noticed them arriving at the other end of my trips, looking just as good as when they were loaded onto the truck at the start.

Digest Rite- I have used this product to great extent and have seen some marvelous results in my competition horses and a horse that had foundered on me a couple of years ago, it is a product that I will always have available, especially at the onset of spring when the grass is full of sugars etc... I will never be without it, as it has proved to be of great value.

To name but a few more, I also use Equine High performance minerals, Equine Speller Minerals, Equine Vitamin E, Selenium K, Equine Athlete B-Boost and Equine Athlete Quicklyte, Also have just started on the Four Feet which I have seen an improvement in to.

Certainly I would recommend the Vetpro range of product, as it is important to stay with one brand , thus no confusion sets in and certainly gives you a better chance to keep track on what is doing what to your horses. I look forward to this coming season and continuing with the Vetpro range of products.

Alex"