Have you ever complained whilst competing?

[k1963]

I've been on the receiving end of complaints as a fence judge .

I had to eliminate a rider for ' error of course ' - she had jumped the Intermediate log into the water , rather than the novice log . I didn't enjoy doing this , but have to stick to the rules . Needless to say , rider & ' Mummy' came to have words with me ( they'd already buttonholed the TA & the steward . )

I'd have had more sympathy if the course was badly marked & others had done the same thing , but she was the only one out of 35 to do it . She hadn't walked the course properly & her elimination stood .

I'm generally on the lenient side ( esp. when judging pre -novices ) , so that incident annoyed me . I've also been complained about for reporting blatant outside assistance , but the culprits decided not to bother having a go at me !
Why do I do it , I often ask myself as I get sunburnt , drenched or numb with cold

 

[Bossanova]

Lodged official complaint at a BE event once as my sister went directly before me on the xc on her slow wb mare and then I zoomed round on Boss and they gave us both exactly the same number of time penalties which we knew was not right. Unfortuantely it couldnt be proved so I lost out on 2nd place

 

[k1963]

Mmm , time penalties are quite a problem . Sometimes it can be because the judges stopwatch has failed ( I double check mine with my own wristwatch . )

Generally , in that case , it is sorted out . As for time penalties , they are calculated by the scorers ( a fearsome bunch ! ) who constantly want your score sheets & will park their collection van right in your line of vision , drumming their fingers on the steering wheel as you try to write down the time of the horse coming towards you