SantaVera
Well-Known Member
agree completely
Forecast this week and shows not postponing!
- Thread starter Mary3050
- Start date
teapot
Well-Known Member
See the whole issue with BE and abandonment insurance. It’s expensive and hard to get I think?
Some of the comments I’ve seen in response to RDA cancelling the Sunday classes show a complete lack of respect for the horse(s) involved.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
What do seasoned BE fence judges use for shade on very hot days?
I can cope with the cold and wet, but blazing sun in 30°C + temps in an open field from 9am to 6pm?
I can cope with the cold and wet, but blazing sun in 30°C + temps in an open field from 9am to 6pm?
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
We attended a WPCS show last sunday. We won our class and so got through to a whole array of championships. We decided not to waiting and compete in the championships as we would of been back in the ring at around 1.30/2pm and then setting off home 2.30/3pm and travelling an hour (or longer in traffic) home. We possibly forfeited a bronze medal but there are other days. Robin behaved, we got a red frilly and he was home by 12.30 back in his field with his mates.
Its a choice at the end of the day.
Lots of local events have postponed this weekend. fun rides, shows etc. But our local riding club own there own land so easy to move to the following weekend, another are combining a showing and show jumping event next weekend instead of 2 separate ones. The bigger events hiring event centres are harder to rearrange. Gone are the days of county shows being held on a local farmers field.
Its a choice at the end of the day.
Lots of local events have postponed this weekend. fun rides, shows etc. But our local riding club own there own land so easy to move to the following weekend, another are combining a showing and show jumping event next weekend instead of 2 separate ones. The bigger events hiring event centres are harder to rearrange. Gone are the days of county shows being held on a local farmers field.
Laafet
Well-Known Member
I am a bit gutted that my Dressage has been cancelled despite saying there were going to run earlier, our Met Office forecast is coming down all the time - currently 26 degrees for Sunday, when it was 30 yesterday predicted. We are getting hotter Monday/Tuesday (over 30). I wanted to run as it was going to be our first comp, she's ready, she very used to heat and it was only a short distance away along a good route so happy for her to have a cold bath, load, do one class and come home. She's an ex racer and ran at this time of year so is not too bothered. I appreciate that it is not the same for everyone else, I've lost my transport now so hey ho, that's just life. I was going to reroute for next weekend but all the hire boxes are booked solid for the next 4 weekends so we won't be going anywhere unless I can beg a lift.
I am still meant to be fence judging at a Pony Club Ares Event on Saturday and am surprised that is still going ahead, it's an open venue with very little shade.
I am still meant to be fence judging at a Pony Club Ares Event on Saturday and am surprised that is still going ahead, it's an open venue with very little shade.
GinaGeo
Well-Known Member
The really hot weather does seem to have shifted onwards towards Monday / Tuesday.
I am taking a horse to a clinic on Sunday. We will travel early before it gets too hot, the horse has a cool, permanent stable for the day and then we will travel home after 6pm.
I am taking a horse to a clinic on Sunday. We will travel early before it gets too hot, the horse has a cool, permanent stable for the day and then we will travel home after 6pm.
eggs
Well-Known Member
I've got a dressage clinic on Saturday but it is only about 20 minutes max in the lorry. I was competing last Sunday too and found that giving B a good sponge down with cold water on his quarters, neck and chest helped keep him cooler on the journey.
Lexi_
Well-Known Member
I’ve got a sunshade type umbrella that connects to my camping chair. Absolute godsend when there’s no shade anywhere.
Other than that, just sweat a lot and hope the bun run keeps you well supplied with cold water.
Squeak
Well-Known Member
Just seen Tweseldown’s update re PC areas. Great ideas they’ve put in - coaches staged round the course to monitor the horses as they go round. Vet at the end with experienced eventers to help monitor and cool down the horses with the horses not allowed to leave without the vets permission and then under covid rules where they must leave asap.
Also advising for dogs to be left at home.
Also advising for dogs to be left at home.
Mary3050
Well-Known Member
Totally agree I do think many comments were written by parent who have no clue about horses .
The my child has been disadvantaged or this has cost us money to train for this or the family holiday ruined when they can still come visit .
The vets was well it’s just for 6 minutes but most RDA groups use a horse multiple times and may need to warm up . Then there travel etc but it was a lack of understanding of horse welfare
asmp
Well-Known Member
Huge golfing umbrella attached to camping chair with cable ties. Used at a big show last week! The darker ones are better for the horses. Did use a blue and white one for a while but remember having a rider shouting at me as she rode past that we were scaring the horses - we had hundreds of horses that day and we weren’t. Maybe a couple looked out of their eye at it but as long as you have it up for the whole class no one is disadvantaged (did check with the BE organisers)
Also good cool box with lots of ice packs to keep food and drinks cold.
SO1
Well-Known Member
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2637627
Weather forecast locally 37 on Tuesday. It has been an extended heatwave the ground is like rock, it doesn't cool down much in the evenings or first thing in the morning. Be kind give your horse time off. I know people love competing but would you like to run about in a fur suit in this weather?
Weather forecast locally 37 on Tuesday. It has been an extended heatwave the ground is like rock, it doesn't cool down much in the evenings or first thing in the morning. Be kind give your horse time off. I know people love competing but would you like to run about in a fur suit in this weather?
Pegasus5531
Well-Known Member
My personal opinion would be it depends on the discipline or more simply the level of exertion the horse will be under and therefore the risk of heat related illness/injury. My Polo tournament this weekend has been cancelled but I fully expected it and believe it to be the right decision as even on a cooler day the ponies are sweaty and puffing at the end of a chukka due to the pace of the sport. However we have local shows that are still running and personally I don't see an issue with that if the owners/riders consider the risk for their own horse. If the horse is fit and in work a short show class with a bit of trot and canter really shouldn't be a problem but for an overweight or older horse the risk would be greater.
Leandy
Well-Known Member
People just need to take responsibility themselves and make their own decisions! Forget the nanny state and expecting organisations to make the decision for you. Weigh up your circumstances and decide for yourself. I know people don't like to lose entry fees but venues and organisers can't be expected to bear the loss themselves either can they? The weather isn't their fault any more than it is the competitors' and, in many cases, they are volunteers. Actually, horses bear up pretty well in the heat if owners and riders use common sense. They are very well adapted to cool themselves - ever heard the phrase "sweating like a horse"? Horses (unlike dogs) can literally drip with sweat from every pore in a very effective cooling mechanism. Which isn't to say they should all be pushed to that degree but it is not a given that just because it is a bit hot for the UK the world needs to stop turning. The situation as regards travelling is not the organisers' responsibility to think about IMHO, they should concentrate on organising the competition and deciding whether they can safely run and what risk mitigants they can put in place. Travelling is for owners and riders to use their judgment. Not sure where common sense and responsibility for one's own actions has disappeared to in the modern world.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
There are many variables, such as the horse, fitness, how the horse copes in hot weather, the showground. the event format, time of day, travelling etc that it has to come down to individual choice. I will probably not go to a pre-entered competition. if it was half an hour down the road probably would do as would be done and dusted before it got too hot but it is quite a lot further away. Also we don't all cope the same in hot weather so comes down to how as a person you manage as well.
teapot
Well-Known Member
For your BD/BE/BS members I do agree. However, when it comes to something like RDA a stand/prod/direction from head office is needed because you’d be surprised at the lack of knowledge/education found within it as an organisation.
Sadly, speaking from experience, I know there are people involved who won’t have even registered that it could well be over 40 degrees inside the white boards in a massive outdoor arena, or what effect the back of the lorry being five/ten degrees warmer will have on their ever trusting horses. Let alone considering the impact on riders which can be a just because you can, doesn’t mean you should can of worms as it is. RDA is SO about giving people the chance and opportunity to do something otherwise inaccessible to them, that sometimes the horses are forgotten in the process, and that to me isn’t ok.
I see the BD AF at Wellington is changing days due to the forecast next week - super sensible given how exposed their outdoor arena is.
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nikicb
Well-Known Member
I was just about to post the same. Tuesday has now been rescheduled to Friday. I am very pleased they have made this decision, not just for the horses and riders, but for the officials as well. I was meant to be writing Tuesday and was dreading it I wrote there last year for the Regionals I think it was, and the sun was relentless, and temps again in the mid 30s. We had two fans in the judges box, but no ventilation other than the back door, so it was effectively like sitting in a greenhouse. The class was over 4 hours long, starting at lunch time. It was extremely uncomfortable, and I had a headache for several days afterwards, and I am not really a headachey person. I know some people will be disappointed as they now won't be able to make their classes, but these exceptionally hot conditions do need to be treated the same as heavy snow/storms etc.
Cowpony
Well-Known Member
I was in one of the Tuesday classes at Wellington. Was going to pull out but thought I'd sit tight and see if they did anything first. So glad I waited! I'll be competing on Friday and I'm sure it will still be pretty warm, but not life threateningly so.
black and brown
Well-Known Member
Your phrase 'ever trusting horse' Teapot really made me think. Horses don't/can't question our decision to travel them and it is therefore upto us as owners to put welfare first.
Laafet
Well-Known Member
I still think cancelling the dressage here on Sunday was a bit hasty - it's going to be 26 (feels like 24). However the Pony Club ODE is still going ahead. We are starting early but I am not sure, knowing Pony Club, that we will be finished by midday!
SantaVera
Well-Known Member
is the royal welsh going ahead? 35 degrees forcast there for monday and 30 for tuesday
ester
Not slacking multitasking
It is, and given they’ve lost cobs before due to the heat I hope they have good plans in place
ester
Not slacking multitasking
teapot
Well-Known Member
You'd have fried! Interestingly their rs lessons are still running (so far), wonder how much sway BD had in the decision?
Nicnac
Well-Known Member
Big hooha on FB as Eland Lodge holding a 3 day camp, M/T/W and won't cancel so all will lose their money.
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
That’s bad!
Dave's Mam
Well-Known Member
I was just looking to see if anyone had commented on that. It's a bit naff on their behalf given the situation. It's a £250 loss for all campers & Eland not willing to compromise, so it seems.
Merry neddy man
Well-Known Member
Nice reading that the BHA have cancelled all Monday and Tuesdays racing. Locally a fun ride has closed until Wednesday and re booking or refunding, and a largish show has cancelled.
Elf On A Shelf
...
Not all. Just the race meetings in South and Middle England and Wales. The northern half of the country and Scotland can still race.
little_critter
Well-Known Member
If this was a red warning for wind or flood I think organisers would be much quicker to cancel. I don’t understand why a red warning for extreme heat is seen as less hazardous than one for wind or flood.