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Success: Seven Principles Taught by Eight Belles
- By Anthony Vultaggio
- Published 05/13/2008
- Success Defined
-
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Anthony Vultaggio
Anthony Vultaggio is the author of, "Who Said That and Why You Should Care
When you consider the death of Eight Belles, the question is not
whether or not euthanization is cruel or just, but what the human race,
unchecked, is capable of doing for self gratification and greed?
Those who claim to love horses and say that horse racing is about beauty or about the power and strength of horses are spewing horse manure. Horses love to run, but horses that want to run don’t need to be whipped. If you want to see beauty, watch horses in their natural setting.
Ask any fitness expert and they will tell you that injury in sports is usually a sign of over-training or improper training. Ask any veterinarian and they will tell you that breaking two legs on a horse is a clear sign of over-stressing the animal. And not just over-stressing the horse during the race (though that was apparent if you watch the race) but over-training.
Humans over-train for a myriad of reasons including will, desire and self-esteem. But those reasons are irrelevant in the discussion of horses. Horses simply don’t face these issues. They didn’t create a race for the love of money. They don't need accolades, ribbons, trophies or money.
If you love horses, you love to ride them and take care of them. You don’t put them in harm’s way. You don’t push them beyond their limits. As with all of all things, love means putting the object of your love above your own needs. Horse racing has nothing to do with love of horses or their beauty, but about money. It is clear that the pressure in horse racing and the competition has gotten more fierce.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the average price of a one year old horse has risen 41% since 2002 to $101,347. It’s not a stretch to say that people that spent that kind of money aren’t doing it for the love of horses but for an investment of some sort. If you invest that much money in something, you are going to demand a return. The demand leads to decision based on financial concerns not concerns for the animal.
To me a sport is a human invention, let humans strive for excellence in sports, animals never asked for it. Animals have no need for it. Animals compete for food, shelter or breeding rights, never for money. Money is a human invention, lets not destroy animals and the environment in pursuit of it.
The recent tragedy of Eight Belles after the Kentucky Derby is a lesson in what not to do to succeed:
1. Don’t over train.
2. Don’t be so blinded by the pursuit of your goal, that you forget that you are a human animal in need of rest and recovery.
3. Don't forget that rest is just as much a part of a training regimen as working out.
4. Don't underestimate rest in planning to achieve your goals.
5. Don't forget that the harder you work out the more you have to rest.
6. Don't devalue sleep. It is important to peak performance whether you are an athlete or as a business person.
7. Don't over do. Find ways to avoid the trappings of over-training or your performance will slip and the fall could be fatal.
You can't be an understanding manager if you are so tired and irritable that you are unapproachable or you snap at whatever is said to you. Every new day, brings new challenges, you must be prepared to met new challenges with energy and vigor. That’s why sleep and mental health are equally as important as physical health and stamina. Stop, find the time and take a vacation. Get out of your normal routine. Wake up some place new. Its amazing what sleeping in a new place and waking up in a new and unrecognizable place can do for the mind. If you don’t have time for a real vacation then trick the mind, go to a nice hotel in the next town over and sleep the night. You’ll see how refreshed you will feel. Be sure to stay for the breakfast and coffee, then start your day. Your mind will thank you for it.
Those who claim to love horses and say that horse racing is about beauty or about the power and strength of horses are spewing horse manure. Horses love to run, but horses that want to run don’t need to be whipped. If you want to see beauty, watch horses in their natural setting.
Ask any fitness expert and they will tell you that injury in sports is usually a sign of over-training or improper training. Ask any veterinarian and they will tell you that breaking two legs on a horse is a clear sign of over-stressing the animal. And not just over-stressing the horse during the race (though that was apparent if you watch the race) but over-training.
Humans over-train for a myriad of reasons including will, desire and self-esteem. But those reasons are irrelevant in the discussion of horses. Horses simply don’t face these issues. They didn’t create a race for the love of money. They don't need accolades, ribbons, trophies or money.
If you love horses, you love to ride them and take care of them. You don’t put them in harm’s way. You don’t push them beyond their limits. As with all of all things, love means putting the object of your love above your own needs. Horse racing has nothing to do with love of horses or their beauty, but about money. It is clear that the pressure in horse racing and the competition has gotten more fierce.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the average price of a one year old horse has risen 41% since 2002 to $101,347. It’s not a stretch to say that people that spent that kind of money aren’t doing it for the love of horses but for an investment of some sort. If you invest that much money in something, you are going to demand a return. The demand leads to decision based on financial concerns not concerns for the animal.
To me a sport is a human invention, let humans strive for excellence in sports, animals never asked for it. Animals have no need for it. Animals compete for food, shelter or breeding rights, never for money. Money is a human invention, lets not destroy animals and the environment in pursuit of it.
The recent tragedy of Eight Belles after the Kentucky Derby is a lesson in what not to do to succeed:
1. Don’t over train.
2. Don’t be so blinded by the pursuit of your goal, that you forget that you are a human animal in need of rest and recovery.
3. Don't forget that rest is just as much a part of a training regimen as working out.
4. Don't underestimate rest in planning to achieve your goals.
5. Don't forget that the harder you work out the more you have to rest.
6. Don't devalue sleep. It is important to peak performance whether you are an athlete or as a business person.
7. Don't over do. Find ways to avoid the trappings of over-training or your performance will slip and the fall could be fatal.
You can't be an understanding manager if you are so tired and irritable that you are unapproachable or you snap at whatever is said to you. Every new day, brings new challenges, you must be prepared to met new challenges with energy and vigor. That’s why sleep and mental health are equally as important as physical health and stamina. Stop, find the time and take a vacation. Get out of your normal routine. Wake up some place new. Its amazing what sleeping in a new place and waking up in a new and unrecognizable place can do for the mind. If you don’t have time for a real vacation then trick the mind, go to a nice hotel in the next town over and sleep the night. You’ll see how refreshed you will feel. Be sure to stay for the breakfast and coffee, then start your day. Your mind will thank you for it.
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1 Response to "Success: Seven Principles Taught by Eight Belles"
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said this on 20 May 2008 3:29:57 PM CDT
Great commentary. Such a waste of a horse.
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