Refunds for withdrawals

[AandK]

I just posted this on the BE forum;

Hi BE,

I recently had to withdraw my horse from Broadway the day before the event due to lameness (withdrawn on Friday). The horse was seen by a vet and obvioulsy it was decided that he would not be able to compete (seen by vet late Thursday), the vet arranged for an 'off games note' to be sent to me so I could forward onto the event in the hope of getting some of my entry fee back.
When I rang to withdraw and explained the situation I was informed that even though I had a vet certificate to back up my withdrawal, I would not receive a refund as the last date for withdrawals was Wednesday (horse was still sound then.!).. The event did not ballot and had no wait list and the sec said if they refunded everyone who had withdrawn in the 2 days before the event then they would be running at a loss and they needed the money.
I don't think this is fair and while I appreciate that events rarely turn a profit and it was last minute, I had a genuine reason to withdraw and feel rather let down by the reason why I cannot have some of my entry fee back.
What are your thoughts on this please.?
Many thanks.

what are your thoughts/experiences please.?
Ta

 

[kcourtil]

Don't have any experiences of this, but would like to know what happens. I also withdrew on the friday due to a lame horse and got exactly the same reply you did!

 

[ajf]

Well have just withdrawn a horse (yesterday) for an event this sunday and will prob get no refund.
Withdrew 2 last year 10days before event, that had wiatlist, but because had no vet's certificate (had no transport to get there) got no refund for that.

 

[kerilli]

i've never had a refund from a withdrawal, even when i've had a vet's note, and my place has been filled from the wait-list.
it's one of the worst things about the sport tbh, so disappointing and such a waste of money for absolutely nothing.
best of luck, i'd love to see a change in the rules, but tbh i think that BE's thinking is that you enter and pay for the chance to run, and if you can't run, that's your problem.

 

[AandK]

thats what i am thinking..

i have had a refund for withdrawal with a vet cert once before (Munstead 2005) but with that one i was able to withdraw about a week/10 days before the event was due to run..

will let you guys know if i have any feedback..

 

[SpottedCat]

In all honesty I think it's one of those things, and it is one of the things which I try not to get annoyed about as my thinking is that I would have spent that money anyway, and was it more disappointing not running at Withington but losing the money or retiring in the SJ at Powderham and not getting my money's worth?! Horse pulled a muscle in the terrible SJ warm up at Powderham and TBH I am more annoyed about that than about Withington. I didn't expect Withington to refund but put a cheeky ask in anyway and got a lovely phonecall from the organiser who was incredibly polite about it all and explained their rationale behind things - he didn't have to do that and yet he did it anyway.

Broadway never ballots as it is always the same w/e as Badminton, and it gives out superb prizes, so if they don't have a waitlist then I feel it is a bit much to expect them to refund. However all those events who do hold waitlists / ballot, I think the rules shoudl be changed simply to give some consistency, which is what I think is lacking. That way people wouldn't feel cheated, whereas if you know some places will refund and others won't it makes you ask why.

 

[carthorse]

We withdrew from Morton Morrell but because we thought the ground was too wet ,at least we saved the diesel and starting fee, other decided after doing dressage so they were worse off.

 

[Maloo]

We had to withdraw 2 from Keysoe last year 5 days in advance as daughter was having to stand down for the compulsory 7 days due to being KO'd the week previously and couldnt ride until signed back by the Dr, rang and explained this as well as sending Vets and Drs note - didnt even get a reply - (we had also paid for stabling for the 2 - and no - we didnt get any of that back either!) so all I can say is dont hold your breath!! Lec did do a piece for Eventing magazine last autumn regarding the withdrawal system... but still waiting to see if anything comes of it.....
Best of luck!
Maloo