JMO and I hope I don't offend you but unless I was really serious about competing in this sport I think I would keep him on his medication and let Bay "drag" or use another horse. I think conditioning great and he should be kept as active as possible but even though you would never know it, he is old and has had a demanding life.
Not offended... I wouldn't take him off the drugs for the sake of the competition. I'd be risking not only his comfort, but the possibility of him disqualifying lame. I really just want to do it for the fun of it, think it'd be fun if ecurbh did it, and don't care about winning at it. I'm not serious, so I prolly won't change my routine to be able to do it. Maybe down the road, with my next horse after Bay fully retires. I only have another year or two probably, to let him do what he can, and no more.
Hey, thanks for the ping on that convenience store thread. I hadn't heard anything about it.