Competitive Leadership

Most of us associate horses with short distance racing or horse Polo but have you heard about endurance riding?

As a young Major in 1998, I was posted in a mounted unit as Equitation cum Veterinary officer, when I got a chance to be part of endurance riding of 80kms which was to be covered in four stretches of 20 Km each. For each team, the timing of all the riders is counted to decide the winner.

Army runs through competition and army men have got a tendency to pick up competition especially when they feel it is a matter of honor and prestige. The unit I was posted in, was located in mountainous area and horses here were not meant for competitive riding or eventing but for normal pleasure riding. All the horses were in the age group of 12 to 20(one year of the horse is equal to 4 years of human age roughly), so you can make out, these horses were not meant for endurance riding at all. In all probability, they had no chance against young horses.

When the Director General came to inspect us, the Commandant expressed the desire that we are allotted young horses to participate in national events especially the endurance riding and show jumping. His request did not find favor and we were told to participate in the endurance event with the existing resources and if we came anywhere near the third position, we can get additional resources for show jumping. Obviously, the Director General was not convinced about our capability to participate at the national level. Our team has never participated in any event in its history, no laurels to boast about.

It pinched us to no end. We accepted the challenge though we were not sure what lied ahead of us. Even we were not aware of the capability of now omnipresent Google Guru to guide us but we were yet to be deserted by our common sense.

No coach, no professional experience, the dearth of competent horses and riders and four months in our hands - we sat down to devise our strategy on how to create history.A team of the four riders and four horses was created ( as a call of duty, I was one of the riders). Fortunately for us, we had one very good Risaldar, who had participated in show jumping events but not in an endurance event. The aged rider also had wonderful knowledge about maintenance of sports horses and their nutrition and tasked to look after the complete administration, support and discipline. Another favorable point was that we were at an altitude of 6000 ft. and our horses were at an advantage physiologically especially when they have to compete at lower altitude or plains.

We all started our rigorous six days a week preparation, come what may. We kept on preparing for the event with a solid data-centric approach. Each day timing was noted. Blood parameters were evaluated every seventh day. We got the diet chart of the horses prepared in consultation with the Nutrition expert.

 Based on the previous year’s data, we expected ourselves to be quite good up to 60 km of distance but losing out in next 20 km due to the probably old age of the horses. Days were flying and we were not finding any solution to our problem. Though we all became riding fit even then we were finding very difficult to control the horses in first 20 km when the horses just want to gallop due to the competitive overexcitement.

Those who know about endurance will tell you that horses should not be galloped otherwise they will be fatigued as lactic acid will accumulate in their muscles and they will find it very difficult to move in the fourth stretch. In first 60 Km, it has to be trot / extended trot /slow canter.

The challenge was to keep the horses under control in first 20 Km and get the right timing in last 20 Km. As we progressed further, we found that my horse was the slowest in last 20 Km, nobody was prepared to tell that truth to the Captain.  I was at least 10 kg heavier than average weight of all other riders. I decided to opt out and be the non-playing Captain. This was an important decision that helped in improving the overall team performance.

Over a period of time, our bonding with the team and horses developed immensely, we knew each and everything about the rider and the horse. Bonhomie was great. Each one was supporting other even for minor family problems. All of riders and horses were staying together in the tent. The hierarchy was completely lost. 

Based on the market intelligence we learned that our timing during the training was better than all other teams and the other teams were taking us very seriously. Our horses were older but had the altitude advantage during training.

I was not prepared for any chance. We took out the one litter of blood from each horse one month before the event. I was not sure whether it was legal or not but same blood was infused in the same horse two days before the event.

When the D day arrived. We reached the event venue and settled down. I refused to stay away from the team and stayed in the tent only. That was a morale booster for the team.

Well, in the first 20 Km, as per our plan we were second to the last year winner team and our overall timing was just 5 minutes more than the champion team. Next 20 Km, we maintained the same strategy and were within the closing distance of top team. However, one of the riders was more tired than others and I was worried about him. In next 20 km, this tired rider, could not control the horse who galloped. This was against our plan. We did not have any choice at this stage but to continue with the rider and the horse. We maintained our timing. Last 20 Kms were very critical for us, all other teams were tired along with horses. Our team was good enough. What we insisted on, from the riders that each one must complete the course.

The three combinations of our team were the best possible timers of the event, however, the fourth combination pulled us down and we came overall second in the event. We just lost by about one minute in the overall timing. So near yet so far.

Nobody expected us to do so well against younger horses, which we did, we gave a solid scare to the top team. Personally, it was the vindication of my stand that age is just a number whether for animal or man and with proper leadership, strategy, and planning, using your resources properly, one can plan victory. We actually proved Miruts Yifter of Ethiopia right who won Marathon race at the age of 40 plus in 1980 Moscow Olympics. The only lacunae in our planning was the selection of that rider, who was skilled enough but not endurance fit. But as you know, decisions are always right in hindsight.

 I personally felt that my withdrawal from the riding position was probably the turning point in our preparation because the team felt that I was not looking for my personal achievement but the team victory was more important for me.

This particular result triggered a cascading effect on our performance. Our team was identified as the competitive entity for the first time, got additional resources as well including 12 top-class horses, won show jumping events as well in the same year, and moreover- we felt that we decoded the formula of success as well.

The formula of success is very simple, don’t look for personal glory, plan and use your resources well, bring the total alignment and lead the team well.

Hope we are on the same wavelength.

Run your destiny.