So what has British Eventing done wrong?

[sportsmansB]

In Ireland our membership moved to rolling annually after Covid and I think it has helped to keep the numbers up and encourage people to join with a new horse for example in August. We don't however have a big unaffiliated scene over here so options are limited.

 

[Roxylola]

4 classes for £200 works out at £50 per class. And if you are unlucky in one class you still have 3 more. BE on a really bad day you could have 3 stops at the first SJ and that's a £200 dressage test!
I think they have to look at membership requirements this late in the season. Although the last season I did so much got rained off I regretted my membership tbh as it was definitely not worthwhile

 

[shortstuff99]

Blenheim has next years Euro champs! Exciting!

 

[ihatework]

Blenheim has next years Euro champs! Exciting!

Oh my!!!
I wonder if they will be running the 8/9s alongside as my fella very very tentatively pencilled in for it (and having written that down 99% means he won’t make it )

 

[LEC]

Oh my!!!
I wonder if they will be running the 8/9s alongside as my fella very very tentatively pencilled in for it (and having written that down 99% means he won’t make it )

The L is def supposed to be alongside. I am not sure about the 8/9s. It will have a big impact on the late 5* entries though.

 

[teapot]

Oh my!!!
I wonder if they will be running the 8/9s alongside as my fella very very tentatively pencilled in for it (and having written that down 99% means he won’t make it )

I was just thinking about the dates and whether they'll run the normal event alongside?

Two weeks after Burghley, five weeks ish before Pau too.

 

[Tiddlypom]

That’s quite a result for Blenheim!

We must have held the Europeans before here in the UK, haven’t we? I just can’t remember when and where.

 

[Mimsyborogrove]

That’s quite a result for Blenheim!

We must have held the Europeans before here in the UK, haven’t we? I just can’t remember when and where.

When Zara won the Europeans on Toytown in 2005 it was at Blenheim ! In the pouring rain if I remember rightly

 

[teapot]

That’s quite a result for Blenheim!

We must have held the Europeans before here in the UK, haven’t we? I just can’t remember when and where.

Burghley in 97, 2005 when a younger Zara P won, and then Blair in 2015. The latter two absolute mud fests I seem to remember.

What's interesting is UK Sport have done a press release about Blenheim, wonder if there's been a funding investment?

 

[TPO]

Blair in 2015. The latter two absolute mud fests I seem to remember.

I can confirm!!

Got back to our tent in Saturday and the pringles came floating down to meet us. As soon as we took the zip down to get in the tent the water when it, it was lying well above the tent edge. We bailed at that point, packed up and drove home!

August in Scotland is risky enough but September was a soggy step too far!

 

[daffy44]

I can also confirm, I groomed for an overseas team at Blenheim Europeans in 2005, chucked it down, mud, mud and more mud!

 

[clinkerbuilt]

Burghley in 97, 2005 when a younger Zara P won, and then Blair in 2015. The latter two absolute mud fests I seem to remember.

What's interesting is UK Sport have done a press release about Blenheim, wonder if there's been a funding investment?

maybe it's part of the reward for the team gold!

 

[LEC]

It will meet criteria for funding as an elite competition so promotes the sport and with a fair few spectators will give access to the sport.
The costs involved by the FEI are eye watering so hence it needs the extra support and why most venues pulled out of hosting. Paying for officials, the number of FEI hangers on etc all needing to accommodated and paid for.

 

[shortstuff99]

Oh my!!!
I wonder if they will be running the 8/9s alongside as my fella very very tentatively pencilled in for it (and having written that down 99% means he won’t make it )

It would be great experience for the young horses if it did!

 

[reynold]

I also was there in 2005 in the mud. It was a great atmosphere on the sunday when Zara won.

I am no longer fit enough to go and the price of the tickets this year was unaffordable to many - including the eventers where my pony lives. I dread to think how much the tickets next year will be....

 

[LEC]

well done BE on the changes - some really positive change

 

[RachelFerd]

well done BE on the changes - some really positive change

Does this fix some of the longstanding SW calendar issues?

I'm pleased to see the calendar coming out earlier. And I particularly appreciate the removal of late entry fees for people entering an event in the three days after a cancellation - that really takes the sting out of re-routing!

 

[TheMule]

Does this fix some of the longstanding SW calendar issues?

I'm pleased to see the calendar coming out earlier. And I particularly appreciate the removal of late entry fees for people entering an event in the three days after a cancellation - that really takes the sting out of re-routing!

Almost all of the issues are fixed- I can only see one date clash (Kingston Maurward/ Howick)
It is a vast improvement, well done BE!! If my horse is sound and well then next year could be quite expensive for me

 

[ihatework]

Early Barbury date - made my day!!!

 

[Squeak]

Shame to see that the PAYG has gone up £10 for the horse and £10 for the rider making it £80 and an additional £10 per event so it's suddenly feeling like a less viable option. Also a shame to see fairy significant rises of £15+ for the other membership options. I can understand that their costs must be high but it's a shame it's gone up so much.

Interested to hear what the Xc plus offering is going to be.

 

[TheMule]

Shame to see that the PAYG has gone up £10 for the horse and £10 for the rider making it £80 and an additional £10 per event so it's suddenly feeling like a less viable option. Also a shame to see fairy significant rises of £15+ for the other membership options. I can understand that their costs must be high but it's a shame it's gone up so much.

Interested to hear what the Xc plus offering is going to be.

I agree- I would prefer a slightly higher ride in entry fees as then it's fairer for those that compete say 10 horses vs me on mine who averages 2 events a year

 

[ihatework]

I agree- I would prefer a slightly higher ride in entry fees as then it's fairer for those that compete say 10 horses vs me online who averages 2 events a year

Nah, you’re due to average 2/month for 2025 - you are on catch up!!!!

 

[TheMule]

Nah, you’re due to average 2/month for 2025 - you are on catch up!!!!

Can you tell that to my idiot horse please?!

 

[ihatework]

Can you tell that to my idiot horse please?!

I’ll come have an IHW chat with him.

 

[TheMule]

I’ll come have an IHW chat with him.

Thanks, because he does this- I train all winter, get really excited about him, start planning and then

 

[LEC]

I’ll come have an IHW chat with him.

He is currently sporting a puffy eye… from clearly shoving his head in stupid places again. Hasn’t learnt from the brain surgery…

 

[TheMule]

He is currently sporting a puffy eye… from clearly shoving his head in stupid places again. Hasn’t learnt from the brain surgery…

Publically shamed

 

[LEC]

Tbh depends what level you want to do as PAYG still works out a lot cheaper if you run minimal times. I suspect it’s probably been a little cheap as the old day tickets were about £30 for just one event.

 

[ihatework]

Ginger twit.
At least he doesn’t try and break his neck like the black princess! Although cracking his skull open was his highlight

 

[LEC]

Ginger twit.
At least he doesn’t try and break his neck like the black princess! Although cracking his skull open was his highlight

I dunno - falling over and giving himself a hernia….