Competing in this weather down south!

[Annoyed]

After a week struggling with the snow in Buckinghamshire, where we have been unable to ride (even though we have a menage) I have been really disappointed with a venue in this area with regards to an all weather Event day it is scheduled to hold on Sunday.

I made two entries for this day over a week ago. Today I have found out that they have dropped the dressage phase but will hold the show jumping and x-country indoors. They still expect us to compete as we have entered, and will not refund the entry fee, as they are still running the competition albeit not in the original format. (they have agreed to refund £10 for the non-running of the dressage, but ONLY if you turn up on the day!!)

I am not prepared to risk my horses who have not been ridden in a week (I do not have an indoor school!) With the road condtitions forecast as well, I do not want to travel them. Yet I am told there will be no refund.

I think this venue is more interested in keeping my entry fee than the safety of my horses. I would be interested to hear other forum users opinions!

 

[sare_bear]

I am in a similar position. I entered unaff dressage a week ago and phoned up for times expecting it to be cancelled as everything else in the area has. No they still think they will run so no refund.

I havent managed to get to see my horses for 2 days as snowed in and not ridden since monday. According to other liveries roads are very icey as not gritted. Personally not going to risk my horse for a local outing.

I did think the venue would refund or transfer entries as not safe to travel. Or perhaps not!

Will try again to push to move entries to another date. Think under the circumstances it would be fair and sensible.

 

[ester]

I wouldn't worry bout taking either of mine just cos they had not been ridden in a week, they have good enough general fitness and have been in the fields stretching their legs despite the snow.

I would be worried about the roads, what I was doing tommorrow has been cancelled, sunday still on at the mo but spect will cancel as have an evil hill for everyone.

I spose the travelling side of things is different for everyone that is the problem so is your choice depending on where you live. I think it is good that the venue is at least trying to run ATM. From my point of view I would prefer sun to run as otherwise I don't know how I am going to ride as no arena at home so can only ride if lanes are ok.

It is very difficult when this happens as so much has to go into organising stuff, which I think people forget and if you have to cancel all that hard work down the drain.

 

[star]

i had similar problems with a certain venue in surrey last year after days of torrential rain i spent £15 in diesel to go and walk a XC course that was completely waterlogged but they still said it would go ahead. they then changed the event on the morning it was due to run to an eventer challenge - basically show jumps and the odd rustic looking show jump in an arena. my horse wont jump poles so i couldn't go. they said you could have £5 refund if you went and got it!!! or could transfer entries to the eventers challenge and have £5 as well. well, i was hardly going to drive £15 of diesel to get a £5 refund. i wrote them a shirty letter saying how disappointed i was with their policy and they couldn't just change XC to SJ and not offer a refund - i did get a refund minus a few £ admin charge and i wont be going back there as i think their policy sucks!

 

[PnO]

I'm in Buckinghamshire. I know the venue well. Although was supposed to be going to MKEC to do some unaff dressage but they cancelled. I havn't rang up but I presume they will either refund or just re-enter me for there next show. I have been able to ride twice this week and my horse has been out for one day. I would not risk going, I'm glad MK cancelled. I think the venue in question will find a lot of people complain or don't turn up but I tend to find they don't really care!

 

[Jane_Lou]

I think they do have a bit of a cheek about this - this was supposed to be a 3 phase event, they are now running it as a single round compeitition in the indoor so just refunding £10 for dressage when they charge £17 for a dressage entry is poor and does not take into account the loss of one round. We were going to make an entry last Monday when we went jumping there but that was snowed off and I am really glad we didn't get an entry in now.

 

[Weezy]

Am not at ALL suprised! My YO has 2 horses entered and they do not want to travel, but I warned her that the event wouldn't be cancelled and no refunds would be forthcoming as that is SO their style

 

[SpruceRI]

I'd entered a BD competition for today and was so glad when I rang on Weds for times that they'd postponed it to later in the month.

They were offering a straight transfer to the new date, a hold on your entry fees for another date or your money back.

That is very fair and I will be sure to support them in the future.

As for your venue, and the one Star is talking about (one of my friends was entered in that one!) I would be loathe to enter anything in the future.

Surely the Trade Descriptions Act falls on their shoulders too? If they're not offering the service they originally sold you, you should get your money back ???

 

[kate081]

I'd be annoyed too. I wouldn't consider taking my horses out in these driving conditions. I'm not even sure about taking the trailer to get hay/shavings. Naughty of them to change format but then a lot of places do anything to keep your entry fees these days. Grr!

 

[Dubsie]

I agree with Madhossy, this could be one for trading standards. Have a read up of the small print on the entry form if you can find a copy and see if there's anything written there that you might have agreed to by filling in the form. If not then I'd talk to TS at your local council.