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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’m a middling rider (adult jumpers, 1.10m). It’s not that taxing. Sure, it requires fitness. High level fitness to compete at the higher levels. But it’s more about coordination, skill, finesse, experience, etc. But a lot of Olympic sports are like that. They’re not all feats of power.

There’s a reason the Olympic equestrian disciplines have the oldest athletes and both genders. 
[/quote]

A few decades ago, I competed in the junior jumpers - then there were no "low" divisions - you jumped 4'6" and occasionally 4'9"  (so 1.40m to 1.45m).  The higher the jumps get, the more athletic the rider needs to be.  It's not a pure cardio or pure strength sport, which is while older riders can continue to compete.  But you need to be a significant outlier to the general population in terms of strength and general fitness.

I've always compared riding to a SolidCore class, but one where the resistance is constantly being changed on you.[/quote]

Well sure, but I think it’s like “can comfortably run a 10k” fitness level, not like other Olympic sports. We’ve all watched old campaigner riders hobble and wheeze away from amazing Grand Prix rounds. I’m just saying the Olympic riders aren’t in the Olympics because they’re more fit/athletic than other riders, it’s because they’re better riders who are also fit. I know a lot of them work out intensely and feel it gives them an edge, but some don’t. Was Nick Skelton at peak fitness in 2012? No, but he was fit enough and better than everyone else. [/quote]

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