Am i being unreasonable?

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vennessa

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I have organised a show. Its for complete beginners to the real competition buffs - something for everyone. I want to put the fun back into gymkanas.
A person who keeps a horse near me asked if a local riding school owner could bring 6 ponies and 12 riders. No problem although the woman realy annoyed me the last time i saw her. She visited us and looked round the horses as if they were at a low end sale and being realy horrible about them. It was supposed to have just been a visit to say hello! Anyway i let it pass as i think they are all perfect, but it did annoy me. I thought i won't hold a grudge and welcome her to the show.
I saw the woman near me last night. Her horse had thrown her and was galloping down the main road!
Anyway when person/horse reunited and safe she brought up the show. The rideing school owner has asked if different riders can take the same horse/pony in one class. We have loads of classes and plenty for everyone which i had explained. I said no, it would not be fair on other competiters and there is enough classes without the need for them to do it. This did not go down well. Am i being unreasonable? Although i want it fun for everyone includeing first timers i do want them to get the feel for a real show, as a stepping stone if you like. The Rideing school owner is not pleasant and always complains.
How can two people take one pony in the same class anyway? I was expecting moans on the day but not weeks before.
I am haveing nothing whatsoever to do with the judgeing so i can't be called biased and have been careful with the judges, knowledgeable fair ones!
I would rather the woman and her crew did not come personally but it would not be fair on her riders.
What do you think? Should i let two or three riders take 1 pony in one class or stick to my guns and insist 1 rider 1 pony per class?
 
I used to livery at a riding school and the rule was that different riders could not compete the same pony in a class.
Just ment that if sisters shared a pony they would have to do different classes as there was pleny to of choice.
the only exception to this was clear rounds
 
I think she's bonkers. Yours is a showing show, isn't it? So how could 3 riders take one pony in the same class (I must admit, i do have a great mental image of three people in full show kit crammed onto one pony's back, but somehow I don't think thats quite what she has in mind).

I can see how 2 or 3 riders could take one pony in the same SJ class, although I don't think that's fair on the pony AT ALL, or indeed on other entrants. But surely in showing you all go in together, so how could you have more than one rider per class?
 
IMO I would stick to your guns, and let them compete on the same terms as everyone else. Also if there are lots of classes I am sure they could arrange among themselves which ones to enter.
I think you are being more than reasonable for organising such an event in the first place.

Good luck
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I think she's bonkers. Yours is a showing show, isn't it? So how could 3 riders take one pony in the same class (I must admit, i do have a great mental image of three people in full show kit crammed onto one pony's back, but somehow I don't think thats quite what she has in mind).

I can see how 2 or 3 riders could take one pony in the same SJ class, although I don't think that's fair on the pony AT ALL, or indeed on other entrants. But surely in showing you all go in together, so how could you have more than one rider per class?

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We do have showjumping and games also. But yes how would they do the show classes? We have loads of show classes and jumping. How would they do the games? It would not be fair to ask the pony keep going round the showjumping especially if they all went clear. I have no problem with different riders but going in different classes.
I have an urge now to do a drawing of three kids in full show gear on a pony with its back dipping and putting not allowed in the rules. Do you think she would get the message? She knows i am a soft touch but i cannot be when others are conpeteing. Same rules for all. Everyone is going to get something. Starting to dread it all ready.
 
My guess is that she wants to make more money out of your show, as I suspect that the riders will pay per class that they ride her ponies in. The way she wants to do it she gets 3x the amount for each pony if it goes in the same class 3x. I would have thought that the best most enjoyable for the riders would have been for each rider to 'hire' a pony for the day and show it in the classes it and they were most suited to. Obviously this is not how she is doing it.
 
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IMO I would stick to your guns, and let them compete on the same terms as everyone else. Also if there are lots of classes I am sure they could arrange among themselves which ones to enter.
I think you are being more than reasonable for organising such an event in the first place.

Good luck
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I thought they would sort out amongst themselves who was doing what. We did when i competed with a rideing school when i was young. We used to have masses of fun helping each other get ready for their class and cheering each other on.
 
One rider per pony per class. Each pony can only enter once in any class.

Especially jumping classes, say that the pony has already done the course, which gives 2nd rider an unfair advantage over the other competitors. And place a limit on the number of classes these riding school ponies can enter.
 
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My guess is that she wants to make more money out of your show, as I suspect that the riders will pay per class that they ride her ponies in. The way she wants to do it she gets 3x the amount for each pony if it goes in the same class 3x. I would have thought that the best most enjoyable for the riders would have been for each rider to 'hire' a pony for the day and show it in the classes it and they were most suited to. Obviously this is not how she is doing it.

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You have a good point there.
 
No way, 1 rider 1 horse. If she doesn't like it, fine, dont come. Cheeky cow. Don't leave it open to negotiation. You can't have one rule for one and one rule for someone else.

Good on you for organising a show though - it's hard enough work on its own, without moody horrible people making it even harder!!

Tell her where to go!
 
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One rider per pony per class. Each pony can only enter once in any class.

Especially jumping classes, say that the pony has already done the course, which gives 2nd rider an unfair advantage over the other competitors. And place a limit on the number of classes these riding school ponies can enter.

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Do you think i should put one rider per pony per class in the rules? I have not seen it in rules but i can imagine her pushing the point. It does sound like she is expecting a lot from the ponies doesn't it. I do have a judge that speaks her mind and would say the ponies cannot do anymore with no grey areas! I think i will have a word with her before the show and express my concerns. I know she will speak up and it may be better enforced from a judge.
 
Every show rule I have seen states one rider - one horse in the class - this is for showing, XC and SJ. Only exception is someone who has two horses gets them both into the championship then someone may take the other horse in for them.

Poor horses - I personally never do more than 4/5 classes in a day with mine - and normally one or two of them are in hand and "easy" and I never do more than two classes in a row so they have a break.
 
i'd stick to your guns, any horse/pony can only compete once in any given class... it's a horse welfare issue, saves them getting exhausted by overzealous riders! this is a very common rule. only exception is the minimus (clear round) showjumping, as far as i know.
she sounds very unpleasant tbh, you must be a saint!
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i'd stick to your guns, any horse/pony can only compete once in any given class... it's a horse welfare issue, saves them getting exhausted by overzealous riders! this is a very common rule. only exception is the minimus (clear round) showjumping, as far as i know.
she sounds very unpleasant tbh, you must be a saint!
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I just make the welfare issue stance
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I am not a saint
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I do try to listen to other peoples points of view and try not to let my personal feelings get in the way. Hard with her as she is realy horrible. My other side may surface when i am stressed on the day and i will be caught doing a lonney act at her
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It will be more entertaining than the classes
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I am like a pop bottle. People shake me and i gently fizz and then just explode
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I realy do apreciate all the comments on this thankyou. I was made to feel in the wrong, but feel more able to take a stance. I hope she changes her mind about comeing
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She is disliked by many
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when/where is the show again, please? i don't know if i'm brave enough to bring one of my youngsters for the in-hand classes, but i might come along and volunteer if i'm not eventing that day.
very very best of luck, hope it goes brilliantly and you make lots of money for your charity.
 
For the jumping/games I would allow more than one rider per pony, most RS animals will be well used to doing the same thing over and over again! Showing, no obviously.
Dont see why the pony cannot do more than one round sj? Make it clear each pony can only do a max of say 4 classes but can do any class (Save showing) twice...
Think you may be being a bit precious but it's your show after all
 
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Do you think i should put one rider per pony per class in the rules?

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Absolutely! That way, everyone is clear. No exceptions.

Where is your show? If it's near here, I'd love to come.
 
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when/where is the show again, please? i don't know if i'm brave enough to bring one of my youngsters for the in-hand classes, but i might come along and volunteer if i'm not eventing that day.
very very best of luck, hope it goes brilliantly and you make lots of money for your charity.

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Its 20th July at Heighnton Fen Field, Bardney Road Washingborough near Lincoln. It is on the main Lincoln To Bardney Road.
Would love to see you there - with youngster - but you would also be very welcome as a volunteer also. Just printing off schedule - got fed up of waiting for some advertisers.
You only want to come and see me explode don't you
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lol
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Thankyou. I do hope it goes well. I am doing to raise the money. I must be bonkers
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For the jumping/games I would allow more than one rider per pony, most RS animals will be well used to doing the same thing over and over again! Showing, no obviously.
Dont see why the pony cannot do more than one round sj? Make it clear each pony can only do a max of say 4 classes but can do any class (Save showing) twice...
Think you may be being a bit precious but it's your show after all

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lol I'm not being precious about it honestly
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I am easy going and do want to make it easy for people but also fair. We do have may classes where each rider can enjoy haveing a pony to concentrate on one class with without rushing about changeing. I do want to avoid arguments and i could see objections comeing in. Each child will have a chance of a few good classes each. I don't want to spoil it for the kids. I want beginners to think all this malarky is fun.
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I have to agree with with TripleSandH. There maybe lots of showing etc classes to do but for the jumping I think you should allow the ponies to go round with different riders. The riders may not be capable of jumping in the bigger classes.
 
But if you allow the pony to do 2 rounds in a jumping class, the second rider has the advantage that the pony has already gone round the course and seen the jumps. As I wrote earlier today, but that point seems to have been missed by a lot of the respondents. That is why you should stick to your guns on this - otherwise you run the risk of some scary Pony Club mother-type coming and bawling you out (with some justification I think)
 
I don't think its fair to expect a horse to do any class - jumping or ridden or inhand more than once, and would be completely unfair on the other competitors for various reasons. Could you not stick with your original 12 rider & 6 ponies acceptance, and say that in the interest of fairness each pony only does whatever once. Like you I'd keep an eye on if a pony is looking too weary to do any more classes and tell them to withdraw that pony from any more classes they have entered. Might be worth putting in a rule about that too, just as a disclaimer for the possibility that you do have to enforce it. I agree the judge may be best to do that.

Your other point about wanting something for everyone I'd be careful about - its virtually impossible to please all of the people all of the time. the advanced showers won't take kindly to sharing classes with complete beginners (it would be really annoying if a pony who is in a filthy halter and hasn't been bathed gets placed above you if you've spent hours bathing, washing & preening, likewise for those who don't have the correct equipment and facilities to not stand a chance against the professionals...) I think if you try too hard to please everyone you risk pleasing nobody. Why not position it as a fun, beginners everyone welcome type of event? Just a thought.
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But if you allow the pony to do 2 rounds in a jumping class, the second rider has the advantage that the pony has already gone round the course and seen the jumps. As I wrote earlier today, but that point seems to have been missed by a lot of the respondents. That is why you should stick to your guns on this - otherwise you run the risk of some scary Pony Club mother-type coming and bawling you out (with some justification I think)

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I totally agree with you on that, it needs to be fair to all. I would end with with a lot of people wishing to do it. We managed when we were kids. There realy is enough classes for them all to have a go.
I have spent ages looking through the schedule as i do want them to enjoy themselves. It is not allowed at the shows we go to. I have tried to accomodate everyone as best as i can but i do need to draw a line which is fair to everyone. There will be enough moans on the day no doubt.
I do apreciate everyones point of view and i have given it a lot of consideration. The woman would not be happy with anything anyway, its the way she is. I just want the kids to have fun and learn a bit in a friendly atmosphere about shows.
I think i will be turning to drink on the day
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I don't think its fair to expect a horse to do any class - jumping or ridden or inhand more than once, and would be completely unfair on the other competitors for various reasons. Could you not stick with your original 12 rider & 6 ponies acceptance, and say that in the interest of fairness each pony only does whatever once. Like you I'd keep an eye on if a pony is looking too weary to do any more classes and tell them to withdraw that pony from any more classes they have entered. Might be worth putting in a rule about that too, just as a disclaimer for the possibility that you do have to enforce it. I agree the judge may be best to do that.

Your other point about wanting something for everyone I'd be careful about - its virtually impossible to please all of the people all of the time. the advanced showers won't take kindly to sharing classes with complete beginners (it would be really annoying if a pony who is in a filthy halter and hasn't been bathed gets placed above you if you've spent hours bathing, washing & preening, likewise for those who don't have the correct equipment and facilities to not stand a chance against the professionals...) I think if you try too hard to please everyone you risk pleasing nobody. Why not position it as a fun, beginners everyone welcome type of event? Just a thought.
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We do have seperate classes for begginers and those who have done it before, it realy could not be judged fairly otherwise. All beginners will be together and the those who have been there done that will be together. We also have a ring for qualifiers Chaps, Ex-racehorse, Equestrian Life, All Horse shires showjumping etc. The begginers can then watch the profesionals and learn something. We have proper judges for all so the beginners can be given proper advice - everyone has to start somewhere
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I am beggining to realise how bonkers i am
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I know people will hunt me out on the day as i am a soft touch. We are in desperate need of funds and thought this would be a fundraiser. Beginning to regret it actually. I used to love shows as a child and wanted to recreate the 'fun' aspect. I cheer people on in games i don't know if they are not doing well to give a bit of encouragement after all games are meant to be fun. I organised a show years ago and people realy enjoyed it, i do hope they do this one.
 
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