In complete shock event going ahead

[webble]

I am in bed listening to the 60-70mph winds and just heard something come crashing into the fence. I scroll Facebook and see the below which is only 20 miles away and up a hill that has side wind warnings on a good day. What is wrong with these people

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I sent that to a friend, it’s appalling they’ve not cancelled! Though I also can’t believe people are still going

 

[Reacher]

I am in bed listening to the 60-70mph winds and just heard something come crashing into the fence. I scroll Facebook and see the below which is only 20 miles away and up a hill that has side wind warnings on a good day. What is wrong with these people

D1ckheads

 

[Snow Falcon]

 

[Tiddlypom]

I was just coming on here to post that. So irresponsible of Kelsall. The arena eventing is all outside. They’ve blocked comments again.

They have already lost a lot of regulars by running arena eventing in the last named storm and by refusing to refund those who very wisely cancelled.

We might only be in the yellow warning area here, but it’s hard to stand upright in the gusts, and there is a lot of flooding, it’s wild out there. Just come in from an hour and half out doing the horses, who are now very happily settled in their stables.

Only the hard of thinking would be out competing today.

 

[webble]

Kelsall are in an amber warning area

 

[OldNag]

That is so irresponsible.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Kelsall do this all the time. They run events in weather no-one should travel in. I can't believe the event insurance would pay out either if there was an accident involving a showjump falling and spooking a horse. In fact the entire event might be uninsured if there is a weather warning over Kelsall.

On the other hand Somerford refunded a camp booking in full when I cancelled the day before because of snow in Buxton where all the organisers live, even though Somerford itself was ok. They accepted we genuinley could not travel as Buxton was cut off. Again! I was impressed! Somerford are strict but fair, I think re weather related cancellations.

 

[webble]

They have just announced they have cancelled

 

[humblepie]

Something near us on the edge of red so Welsh border is on though I think they’ve given withdrawal option.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Kelsall are in an amber warning area

So they are, only just, but they are defo in the amber. I’m 15 miles away in the yellow and it’s absolutely wild here with trees down blocking lots of local roads.

They have just announced they have cancelled.

Phew. But that’s just the arena eventing, they are still running the working hunter which is indoors.

 

[Roxylola]

I knew where it would be as soon as I saw the title.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

The last competition I was riding at here in France was a bit of a shambles. The weather was fine in the morning, but by the afternoon, the fillers were falling over (they removed them for the next class) and people were having to stand holding the jump wings to stop them falling over.
This weekend's competition is cancelled, but that's due to recommendations due to an out break of herpes virus.

 

[Roxylola]

The indoor working hunter is still going ahead. While it is "just" a yellow warning here it's still pretty wild in gusts. I wouldn't want to be driving anywhere much for leisure purposes for sure

 

[Birker2020]

I won't tow over 30mph gusts, I've decided not to go out competing before now due to the weather and I've always been strict with that as once in all my 25 years of towing I hit a cross wind and the trailer started snaking. Luckily I managed to navigate it but I was driving downhill in an open area. It was no where near 30mph winds!

If you love your horse why would you risk it, if there'sthe slightest chance of accident towing/transporting?

 

[JenJ]

Surely regardless of whether something is indoor or outdoor, the biggest issue would be vehicles travelling there in the wind?

Though I guess that's the responsibility of the driver. It's an easier decision to make if there's no show to drive to!

 

[webble]

Someone has posted there's a good turnout for the indoor

 

[Flowerofthefen]

There is a venue approx an hour from me that never cancels so you never get a refund or the chance to move your entry if the weather is too dangerous to tow in. I've stopped going there now. Obviously horse welfare isn't their fore front so I won't give them my money.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

The indoor working hunter is still going ahead. While it is "just" a yellow warning here it's still pretty wild in gusts. I wouldn't want to be driving anywhere much for leisure purposes for sure

That's nuts!

I'm a bit of a carefree aged eejit, but even in our yellow warning here there is absolutely no way I'd have taken my sturdy box out in this.

I've actually not even ridden this morning, my yard neighbours commented to say "it must be blowy if TFF isnt heading out, even round the block". I actually enjoy riding in strong wind, but this is a tad too gusty!

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Yep the hunt are still out tomorrow despite 40mph winds

Feel sorry for any other road users/emergency services that may be caught up in anything that happens due to the travelling given its a non essential gathering

Why not just cancel?? If a pl football game can be postponed for the safety of fans (albeit in a red area) why are these events still going ahead, and people going to them?

No one should be travelling horses in this apart from life or death vet visits. None of these events are important enough to risk it and should be cancelled!

 

[Parrotperson]

They hunt on a Sunday????? But disrespectful I’d say.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

They hunt on a Sunday????? But disrespectful I’d say.

Could it be bloodhounds, trail hunting? They are usually out on a Sunday.

 

[Parrotperson]

Could it be bloodhounds, trail hunting? They are usually out on a Sunday.

Yeh guess it could be I assumed trail but you’re right!! The wind has addled my brain.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Some people are so incredibly selfish.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

They hunt on a Sunday????? But disrespectful I’d say.

The ones that hunt foxes are weekday and Saturday round here

 

[JFTDWS]

We're on the other side of the country in a lowly yellow warning, and there's no way in hell I'd have taken a trailer out yesterday. It was scary enough driving a small car in it, to be honest.

 

[[69117]]

As Equine Director at a large competition venue, allow me to present the other side of the coin - we simply cannot win. With certain disciplines (particularly those under governing bodies) we do not get to make the decision to cancel due to weather without approval. Sometimes I have sought that approval and then waited FAR too long to get a response.
Also, I recall a time when I got said approval and cancelled an event due to severe ice, and we had people walking up to the venue, filming, shouting, swearing, abusive messages, the lot. No venue wants to cancel an event, they lose a lot of money and waste a lot of hard work, so when we do, it is a serious decision and not taken lightly. To make that decision and then receive threats (yep, I received threatening messages for cancelling a competition, ridiculous), is simply awful.
There are venues out there who will run in any weather and they are a bit bonkers I think, but before slating a venue for their decision to go ahead or cancel, please remember what goes into those decisions and that they are never as straightforward as they look.