| Author | Message | ||
     Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
You have kindly given a solution for very over-subscribed events but what I'm asking is, in reality how do you decide who comes and who doesn't? The entry list changes day-by-day. It takes me about 2 hours to do the paperwork and I don't re-do the final schedule until the night before the event in case there are drop-outs and changes. Then phoning people at the last-minute to say sorry, you can't come because you've entered h/c (and they might still turn up if they don't get the message). I think some people's entries would suddenly become competitive! It sounds like it is different here from your area: we don't have quite such pressure of numbers (but almost). If I refuse one entry from a group of friends or family bringing three entries, do I lose all of them? Possibly for ever! If I let them come and not someone else, I can imagine it creating bad feeling (as well as giving extra and unpleasant work for the organiser). And, I think, it would put pressure on people to "compete" who would rather be h/c. I think your idea would only be fair/reasonable if it were announced before the season's start for your area and if there were some training or fun events also running where people could gain experience - otherwise we are putting off next year's competitors, one way or another, IMHO. And I want to encourage people to enter early as it makes my life easier! | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
It's up to the event organisers how they take entries: I suggest you discuss this with them. Taking entries in date order is easy to understand and (I think) fairest and simplest for the organiser and competitors. When our events are full, if someone drops out and I can fill their place, they get their money back. This might encourage some people to withdraw earlier if they know there is a waiting list! Refusing valid entries is not something I wish to do: it can easily look like unfairness and favouritism. Anyone who's determined enough will find a way round any "no h/c" rule, IMHO. What is your preferred solution? Please tell us! It's how we make the sport better for everyone. | ||
| Ginny White Username: Ginnyw Registered: 11-2006 |
Perhaps JBR is new to the fun and friendliness of indoor driving. I have been competing indoor for 6 years, and 40 years riding!.If you are competitive and trying to qualify for the finals,and lucky enough to have a youngster running along side how else are you to give the new horse an outing.Potentially you could go to another area and disrupt there points league!. Frist come frist served and i take my hat off to anyone running multiples and 2 singles-the work involved!. I'm knackered after a day with one. H/C has always been seen as a fair way to run more than one horse at the owners expense, not subject to entries. | ||
| Liz Howe Username: Lizh Registered: 10-2007 |
To JBR You asked for a simple answer so here is one from a competitor in one of the most popular areas of HDT (South East): Yes, I do think it's fair that competitors can run two turnouts in a competition. As long as the organisers have the correct money paid and it is recieved well before the closing date for entries. As the old saying goes 'the early bird catches the worm' or 'first up, best dressed'. It is up to the competitor to get their entries in early so as not to be disappointed. I do not know what equestrian disciplines you have been involved in that make multiple entries go to the back of the queue. I wonder what Irelands top racehorse trainer, Aiden O'Brien would think if he could only enter one horse in the Derby? I would not be impressed if I were only allowed one entry at a county show (I usually exhibit 3 or 4 animals). The IHDT organisers have enough work to do and it is generous that they do hold a waiting list to fill up any cancellations from pre-entered competitors. And before you ask - I have not (as yet) entered more than one turnout for an event, but I did start IHDT by going H/C for a season and I am grateful to the organisers for allowing me to do so. | ||
| Julie Hoskyns Username: Julieh Registered: 08-2008 |
I have been following this thread with some interest. I am an organiser and competitor. I am not sure if you understand fully what happens. In a lot of the areas there are simply too many people wanting to compete, so it is advised that you put all your entries in for the current year WITH post dated cheques. I put mine in as soon as the dates come out, this way I am near (if not) top of the list. I think I see your grumble with the whole h/c thing BUT they still have to pay the entry even though they are h/c. It is frustrating but as Fiona rightly points out you must take entries on a first come first served basis to ensure you can cover the costs at the end of the day. In your defence I would personally make sure that where possible everyone got an entry and the second turnout or h/c filled in any gaps, that is if I had the luxury of being over subscribed - I wish. | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
I'm really disappointed that my question....without any axe to grind ..has been misinterpreted and unanswered....surely when competitions are really popular one entry per person is only right and fair, with any H/C entries going automatically on the waiting list as happens in other equestrian disciplines? Simple to answer!!!!! JBR | ||
| Mike Watts Username: Mikew Registered: 10-2006 |
To register, please just email me a request with your name and I'll send you a username and logon. Click Moderators near the top right of the page then my name... Mike Watts. | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Sorry I missed your point... If I get an entry in early and paid for, it's a valid entry. I take them in order. When we are full - about 30 - I put people on a waiting list and let them know. (I don't cash cheques until after the event, so people can give me post-dated cheques...) I'm not sure what you are asking for? Do you want organisers to turn away entries that are h/c? It might mean the other entry does not come either. It's very hard work running two (or more!) entries: someone doing that is a) very committed and b) gets their entry in early (IMHO), and I would want to encourage them! If we said, "no h/c entries", surely people would just enter not h/c!? p.s. you can write your name (or nickname) on the text of the message, if you wish. Thank you for bringing this up. I wasn't meaning to be sarcastic when I said organise something yourself. Why not see if you could hire the arena for a "novices/newcomers and club classes" only event and see how that goes? You might be surprised at the support you get if it's that popular in your area? | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
In reply to Fiona Powell's post I fear she has missed my point completely! Our two closest areas already have wait listing as they are over subscribed due to the fantastic events! There are no club classes. It seems very unfair therefore to take H/C entries and turn away legitimate competitors. Our young horses and drivers need outings of course but not to deprive others a chance to compete! ps. this is an observation, not a criticism..this has happened in two areas recently, personally did not affect me at all! pps.quite happy to give a name but am finding registering very difficult! perhaps a quicker, more user friendly way to register is possible? | ||
| Linda Rose Username: Lindar Registered: 01-2007 |
Couldn't agree more, Fiona. Here in the North West we will take 2nd entries .... and even do them at a cheaper rate! This was intended to encourage more entries and get the area going again and it seems to have worked as we now regularly have 20+ competitors. And yes, the organisers do need to be considered. They are all busy people with lives/jobs/husbands/horses/families (not necessarily in that order!) giving up their precious time - for no reward, other than the satisfaction of 'putting something back' and helping the sport! | ||
| Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
I take entries solely on a first-come, first-served basis, and drivers voted on a limit of 30 last year. (In ye olden days of outdoor HDT, there used to be a ballot to choose who would compete!) Presuming that you have taken the trouble to enter the event early with your second turnout (h/c or otherwise, remembering that you can compete and qualify in two different classes), why should I refuse one of your entries at the last minute? Actually I try to encourage people to enter the club class (in our area), instead of going h/c. If you are just tootling round with a youngster, it's good training. Going h/c costs the same anyway and I want everyone to go var/www with a rosette! I closed entries on 6 November for our event 29 November. The best I could do was to post here when there were still a few places left and hope people read it! It makes my life easier when people enter a reasonable time before the event. I don't want to choose who comes and who doesn't. It takes about 2 hours to do the paperwork and times already: why do people always want to load the organisers with more work? And whoever you threw out would be seriously displeased. p.s. Why not start a new area with some friends if you can't get in to your local event? Or help to steward so that people go through quicker? p.p.s. It'd be nice to give a name, even a nickname, please? We won't bite! | ||
| Cathy Gilbert Username: Cathyg Registered: 09-2008 |
I had a young horse h/c today at Forest Edge, this month there was no waiting list as down this time on entries, we also had a few cancel for today. I would not consider taking a h/c 2nd turnout if it was as busy as previous month. If anyone would like to go h/c with a second turnout please make us aware & we will try and help where we can. | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
i agree....however if such h/c entries are to be allowed, would it not be better if they were only allowed to run a second turnout when there is not a waiting list. it is a question of resource allocation. for all to be happy, it has to be fair. Due to the fact that this thread has been posted, it is obviously not | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
Now the sport is becoming so popular with growing numbers of entries and some areas having waiting lists... does appear to be fair to let competitors run a second turnout H/C when there is a waiting list? |