Successful training regimes prepare athletes for the duration, intensity and specific skill tests competition presents. Despite advances in technology, equestrian training methodologies are based more on tradition than scientific methods. Eventing includes aerobic and anaerobic activity periods, the latter predominately during cross country. Mean heart rates (HR) of event horses in training do not mimic those in competition, suggesting training methods used are inappropriate. We explored if interval training prepared elite eventers for competition effectively. A case study methodology was employed to evaluate training regimes in 2 eventers. HR, speed (S), duration (T) and distance (D) data were collected via a Polar RC3 GPS unit for interval training sessions from July to Sept. 2013 (n=9 per horse). Horse 1 (H1) was aiming to complete its first CCI** (2nd Oct.) and horse 2 (H2) an initial CCI3*** (12th Sept.). T (min) and D (km) of each session were noted alongside mean S and maximum S obtained within the session (min/km). Mean HR, maximum HR and the percentage of time spent in aerobic (HR <183bpm) and anaerobic activity (HR>184bpm) were also recorded. Paired t-tests evaluated if differences were present between the first and second halves of the training period for each horse. Descriptive data were plotted over time to explore training profiles for the period investigated. No differences were exposed for any variables within training (P>0.05). Regimens were similar for both horses: mean D H1: 11.5±3 km; H2: 12.5±1.5 km; mean T H1: 65±15 min; H2: 69±9 min. Mean HRs demonstrated predominately aerobic activity (H1: 120±8bpm; H2: 120±9bpm). Maximum HRs exceeded the anaerobic threshold (H1: 201±3bpm; H2: 204±3bpm) but this level was only maintained for 8±4% of training H1 and 11±4% H2. Maximum S`s obtained were greater than competition requirements: 2*: 1.83 min/km; H1: 1.41 min/km and 3*: 1.75 min/km, H2: 1.57 min/km but mean S`s were slower (H1: 5.1±0.6 min/km; H2: 5.3±0.9 min/km). Training profiles did not represent a progressive increase in physiological activity over time but varied throughout the period investigated. Both horses completed their target events; however, results suggest that whilst interval training prepared them for competition, it could potentially optimise performance more. Increasing the anaerobic component progressively within a regime, via a periodization approach, with reference to competition requirements might enhance eventers` competition performance. LP: Training regimes in equestrianism are largely based on experience; analysing training more could improve horses` competition performance. Traditional interval training partially prepared event horses for 2* and 3* competition, but increasing anaerobic work progressively may improve this further.
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